RUMFORD — Middle school students (grades six to eight) at Holy Savior School will explore biodiversity, conservation and Maine’s indelible impact on Theodore Roosevelt as part of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ Lunder New Naturalist pilot program next fall.

The Lunder New Naturalists program is designed to shape students’ experiences outdoors, their online interactions with peers and their approach to science and social studies. Students will learn about Theodore Roosevelt’s love of Maine as they explore biodiversity and conservation in their local community.

“They will work to gather and share information through an online collaborative with other schools across the state,” said Holy Savior teacher Michelle Ladd. “The school will also receive 10 iPads as part of this generous grant.”

In addition, the students will participate in a challenge action project by discussing an environmental challenge that affects the Rumford community and creating and publishing solutions.

Two Holy Savior teachers, Ladd and Dianne Shorey, will attend teacher workshops where they will learn to utilize the new technology effectively in the classroom.

For more information, contact Dave Guthro, communications director for the Diocese of Portland, at 321-7810 or at [email protected].