GORHAM – About 100 students from Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire will travel to the University of Southern Maine on Saturday, Feb. 12, to compete in the Northern New England Science Bowl. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Bailey Hall.

The bowl, the only competition in Northern New England, is one of many official regional qualifiers for the U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C., in late April.

Teams of four to five students compete in a round-robin forum, answering math and science questions on topics ranging from astronomy to environmental science. The winning team will receive an all-expenses paid trip to compete for the national title in Washington on April 28 through May 2.

Health contest

AUGUSTA – The Maine Governor’s Council for Physical Fitness, Sports, Health and Wellness has created a health promotion contest through physical activity designed for communities throughout the state. Contest for Communities, in its seventh year, will be held during Legislative Fitness Day at the State House Hall of Flags on Thursday, Feb. 17.

The program offers the opportunity for organizations, businesses, schools, civic groups and individuals to feature their accomplishments in physical activity.

Categories ranging from youth, adult, special populations, community organizations, healthy workplace and lifetime achievement will be accepted.

For more nomination information, contact Diane Campbell at 622-7566, ext. 230, or by e-mail at [email protected].

Trekker party

SOUTH PORTLAND – First-time trekkers, seasoned veterans and those who are interested in learning more about the Trek Across Maine are invited to join the American Lung Association of Maine at the second annual Trekker Party from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks.

The trek, a three-day, 180-mile cycling event, which takes place over Father’s Day weekend, begins at Sunday River Ski Resort in Newry and ends in Rockland. This year the event will be held June 17 to 19.

The trek party is free and will include light refreshments, music, dancing, door prizes and information about the event. Preregistration is requested.

Those wishing to attend should contact Sue Grenier at 1-888-241-6566, ext. 116, or [email protected].

Volunteerism

BATH – “Volunteerism 2005 – Great Challenges! Great Opportunities!” is the theme for the third annual conference for volunteer administrators from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, at Maine Maritime Museum’s Long Reach Hall, 243 Washington St.

Speaking on the theme will be Susan Arledge of Portland, a motivational speaker who works with companies, professional associations and organizations in Maine and throughout the United States, energizing employees about their work.

Harvey Melnick of Falmouth, manager of the Sweetser Training Institute, will present a morning workshop on “Volunteer-Staff Relationships,” giving ideas and strategies on how paid staff and unpaid staff can work together.

The afternoon panel will discuss the “Best Use of Student Volunteers.”

The conference costs $50 a person. Reservations are being taken until Monday, Feb. 14, and checks, payable to VAMM, may be mailed to Millie Stewart, VAMM treasurer, Mid Coast Hospital, 123 Medical Center Drive, Brunswick, 373-6015. The fee includes food, sessions and materials. Long Reach Hall is fully accessible.

Science program

BOOTHBAY – The Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in West Boothbay Harbor is offering an opportunity to 16 Maine high school juniors during the 16th annual High School Science Program on May 8-12. The deadline for applications is March 4. The program is called the Keller Bloom Program.

The research activities and field studies in a variety of marine environments focus on the chemical, physical and biological properties of the ocean as well as the microscopic organisms that are common to the Gulf of Maine.

The laboratory provides room and board and chaperones. There is no cost to the students involved. Application materials were mailed to all Maine high schools in January. For more information, contact Jane Gardner at Bigelow Laboratory, 633-9600, or download information from the Web at www.bigelow.org.

Diocesan women

PORTLAND – The quarterly meeting of the Maine Diocesan Council Catholic Women will take place on Saturday, March 12, at St. Patrick’s Church, 1342 Congress St.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be a boiled dinner and the cost will be $12. Reservations should be made by Wednesday, March 2, and should be sent to Marion Stevens, 108 Capisic St., Portland, ME 04103.

Anyone wanting more information can call Stevens at 722-1576. Each member is asked to bring a basket with goodies for the auction.

Farm conference

UNITY – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association will host its annual Spring Growth Conference from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at the Common Ground Education Center, Crosby Brook Road.

The theme will be “Local and Organic in a Global Food Economy: What is Our Role as Farmers, as Consumers, as Citizens?”

For more information or to register, call 568-4142 or e-mail [email protected].

Summer camps

BRUNSWICK – Merrymeeting Audubon Society, a chapter of Maine Audubon, is offering scholarships to local environmental education summer camps. All are residential. Both full- and half-scholarships are available. Applicants submit essays with a completed application form, available in area schools or by calling the numbers listed.

Children now in grades three through five may apply for Tanglewood 4-H Camp in Lincolnville. Campers select a six-day session from late June to mid-August. For information, call 729-3343.

Students who will be 10 to 14 in August may apply to Maine Conservation School at Bryant Pond. For information, call 729-5881.

For one student and one adult interested in stewardship of the natural environment, half scholarships are offered to Maine Audubon’s Hog Island camp in Bremen. Students 10 to 14 may apply for Youth Camp. For more information, call 729-9650.

Final applications, including essays, must be received by April 1.

Essay contest

SKOWHEGAN – The Margaret Chase Smith Library has announced the theme of its ninth annual scholarship competition for Maine high school seniors.

Students are asked to submit essays explaining what they believe the guiding principles of United States foreign policy should be in the 21st century.

The library will award $500 for first place, $250 for second, $125 for third, as well as five $25 honorable mention prizes. Essays are due by April 1. Prizes will be announced on May 2. To submit entries or for more information, contact David Richards at the Margaret Chase Smith Library, 56 Norridgewock Ave., Skowhegan, ME 04976 or call 474-7133.