Portland summit to unite education, industry leaders to expand computer science learning

Educators, policymakers, industry representatives and community leaders from across Maine will come together next month to strengthen computer science education and expand learning opportunities for students across the state.

The Maine Computer Science Education Summit, scheduled for November 6, at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, will provide a statewide platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, share experiences and develop strategies to improve access to high-quality computer science education. The free, day-long event comes as schools across Maine explore new ways to integrate computational thinking, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, physical computing and other emerging technologies into teaching and learning.

Bringing together school and district administrators, higher education representatives, industry leaders, policymakers and community organisations, the summit aims to assess the current state of computer science education in Maine and identify areas requiring greater attention and collaboration. Beyond sharing existing initiatives, organisers hope the gathering will strengthen partnerships between educational institutions, businesses and community organisations, helping translate discussions into practical strategies that can benefit students statewide.

The summit is designed for anyone involved in creating or supporting opportunities for students to develop computer science skills. By bringing diverse perspectives to the table, the event seeks to build a clearer understanding of the challenges facing schools and the resources needed to prepare young people for a technology-driven future.

Organisers said coordinated efforts across schools, communities and industry would be essential to ensuring that more students have access to meaningful computer science learning opportunities.

Event details

• Date: November 6, 2026
• Time: 9 am to 4 pm
• Venue: The Westin Portland Harborview, Portland, Maine
• Registration: Free
• Educator support: A $100 stipend is available for educators.

Registration is required. Participants can find further information and register through the event website.

The summit is funded by the Harold Alfond Foundation through the STEM Workforce Ready 2030 project, with support from the Maine Department of Education, the University of Maine, the Maine Mathematics & Science Alliance, Educate Maine and the Maine Computer Science Teachers Association.