Two-year lease of an all-electric truck will support mobile STEM outreach in underserved communities, beach bacteria monitoring, marine mammal rescue, and field research
March 13, 2026 – BLUE HILL, ME – The Shaw Institute, a nonprofit environmental research organization based in Blue Hill, Maine, has announced a landmark partnership with Stanley Chevrolet. Through the generosity of Stanley Chevrolet owner Mark Politte and his team, the dealership is providing the institute with a two-year lease of a Chevy Silverado EV—an all-electric truck that will serve as a critical tool for the organization’s research, conservation, and education.
The vehicle will replace the institute’s aging truck and dramatically expand its capacity to serve communities throughout the Blue Hill Peninsula and beyond, supporting three key areas of the Shaw Institute’s work: a new mobile STEM education program, the institute’s summer beach bacteria monitoring initiative, and critical environmental field work including marine mammal rescue operations.
“At Stanley Chevrolet, we believe in investing in the communities we serve,” said Mark Politte, owner of Stanley Chevrolet. “The Shaw Institute is doing incredible work—from protecting our health and coastline to inspiring the next generation of scientists—so we’re proud to be helping them improve their capabilities through sponsoring these invaluable efforts. The Chevy Silverado EV is the perfect match for this mission.”
Mobile STEM Education for Underserved Schools
A cornerstone of this partnership is the launch of the Shaw Institute’s new mobile STEM experience, which will bring hands-on science education directly to schools and homeschool groups in Maine’s, focusing on rural communities. The Silverado EV will serve as the mobile platform, outfitted with water quality testing kits, microscopes, and other essential equipment to deliver captivating, curriculum-aligned lessons.
“For every school or group that can visit us in Blue Hill, there are many more who cannot make it out here,” said Dr. Charles Rolsky, Executive Director and Senior Research Scientist at the Shaw Institute. “This partnership with Stanley Chevrolet is a game-changer. It allows us to bridge that gap and bring really exciting STEM programming right to people’s doorsteps.”
“We’re designing the mobile unit to function as a kind of science lab on wheels,” explained Daniella Rodriguez, Outreach and Education Manager. “We’ll be able to transport everything we need to help students become citizen scientists—covering topics from marine mammal health and plastic pollution to coastal monitoring and water chemistry—while also empowering our research team to more efficiently conduct their research, which benefits our local communities.”
Protecting Public Health Through Beach Bacteria Monitoring
The Silverado EV will also play a vital role in the Shaw Institute’s beach bacteria monitoring program, a public health initiative that helps keep Blue Hill Peninsula communities and their visitors safe. Institute researchers regularly collect and analyze water samples from popular beaches in the area to detect harmful bacteria levels, providing important data that informs public advisories and protects beachgoers throughout the summer season.
“Our beach monitoring work is directly tied to community health,” said Dr. Rolsky. “Having a reliable vehicle means we can maintain consistent monitoring schedules and respond quickly when conditions change. That’s essential for keeping families safe out here.”
Empowering Field Research and Marine Mammal Rescue
Beyond education and public health monitoring, the truck will serve as a general field work vehicle for the institute’s research team. This includes supporting marine mammal rescue operations along Maine’s rugged coastline—work that often requires transporting specialized equipment to remote and difficult-to-access locations on short notice.
“Whether we’re responding to a stranded seal, collecting samples for our microplastics research, or heading out to a remote monitoring site, this vehicle will be at the center of everything we do in the field,” Dr. Rolsky explained. “Stanley Chevrolet’s support doesn’t just help our organization; it strengthens the safety net for our entire coastal ecosystem.”
A Sustainable Partnership
The choice of the Chevy Silverado EV reflects both organizations’ commitment to sustainability. As an all-electric vehicle, it aligns with the Shaw Institute’s environmental mission while providing the power and versatility required for demanding field work across Maine’s diverse terrain.
“This is more than a vehicle donation, it’s a statement about the kind of future we want to build together,” said Dr. Rolsky. “We’re deeply grateful to Mark and the entire Stanley Chevrolet team for their vision and generosity. This sponsorship will have a lasting impact on our communities, our coast, and the next generation of environmental stewards.”
To learn more about the Shaw Institute’s research and education programs, visit ShawInstitute.org.
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About the Shaw Institute
Based in Blue Hill, Maine, the Shaw Institute is a non-profit environmental research organization dedicated to connecting environmental health with human health through innovative science, collaboration, and community outreach.
About Stanley Chevrolet
Stanley Chevrolet is a trusted automotive dealership serving the communities of Downeast Maine. The dealership is committed to community investment and sustainable transportation solutions.
Media Contact:
Tod Hardin
Head of Marketing & Communications
thardin@shawinstitute.org