SLUDGE: A PFAS UPRISING | Film Screening & Panel Discussion
2025-09-28 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Halifax) | Stonington Opera House, 1 School St, Stonington, 04681, United States
The Shaw Institute is proud to be screening the award-winning documentary short film, SLUDGE: A PFAS UPRISING (28 minutes), followed by a panel discussion featuring filmmakers, PFAS experts and Maine family farmers that are featured in the film. The audience will also have the opportunity to ask questions. Our team served as advisors on the film and also created the official education guide for it.
This is a FREE screening due to the generous support of Amy and Terry Britton, but donations to support the Shaw Institute’s nonprofit mission are greatly appreciated. Any donations from the screening will directly benefit our PFAS research and testing capabilities.
PANELISTS
Mary Yurlina, Agricultural PFAS Specialist, Maine DACF-PFAS Response Program
Mike Pagano, Editor & Producer on the film, Maine resident
Dr. Charlie Rolsky, Executive Director, Shaw Institute
Sergio Cahueque, Organizer, Defend Our Health
VENUE
Stonington Opera House, Stonington, Maine
ABOUT THE FILM
SLUDGE explores the impact of PFAS contamination on Maine’s family farmers. The film focuses on the widespread contamination of farmland with PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” due to the use of municipal sludge as fertilizer. It highlights the stories of farmers like Fred Stone and Adam and Johanna Nordell, who have been significantly affected by this contamination. The film aims to raise awareness about the issue and potentially inspire action to protect farmers and the food supply.
The film is from director Jeff Christian and one of the executive producers is well-known actor and environmentalist, Matthew Modine (Full Metal Jacket, Dark Knight Returns, Stranger Things, Oppenheimer and more).

First Fridays
2025-10-03 16:00 - 19:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Mark your calendars for October 3 for another First Fridays in downtown Blue Hill! Join us, and other local businesses, for expanded hours, food, music and shopping. We’ll be open later, providing a great opportunity to check out our new touch tank, gift shop and even take a lab tour.

Build. Create. Innovate.
2025-10-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Cole Land Transportation Museum, 405 Perry Road, Bangor, ME, 04401, United States
Join us for “Build. Create. Innovate.,” a FREE family-friendly event open to the entire community! This dynamic STEM and innovation event is designed for families, offering a hands-on experience that brings science, technology, engineering, and creativity to life. Enjoy interactive exhibits, exciting demonstrations, and engaging activities suitable for all ages. Discover the power of curiosity, imagination, and innovation—come ready to explore, experiment, and be inspired!

Exquisite Echinoderm Program
2025-10-23 10:30 - 12:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Do your young home school learners wanna know more about some of their favorite tide pool critters? Here at the Shaw Institute we will be offering a class to talk about all things echinoderm! These are the family that makes up sea stars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers! We give a brief lecture to describe the group and its natural history and then visit our 200 gallon touch tank to get hands on with some of our native echinoderms! This is a true hands-on experience … providing fun and science/environmental education all at the same time.
Grades 1st-8th(+)
Duration- 1.5 hours
Participants- up to 12
Presentation:

What echinoderms are
When they evolved
Why are they important

Touch Tank:
Hands-on lesson on the types of echinoderms and how to identify them at the Shaw Institute.
Craft:
After learning what echinoderms are and what makes the separate groups unique, students will make their own sea star, sea urchin, sand dollar, or sea cucumber using modeling clay and craft supplies!
Wrap up:
Quiz to test the students’ knowledge

Word Poetry Crawl
2025-10-25 15:05 - 15:25 | DC
Word’s popular Poetry Crawl returns! Join us on an easy walk around Blue Hill village to hear a sequence of readings by remarkable poets, one poet at each of five local venues. There are 15 minute between readings to allow for relocating to the next venue. Dress warmly. The out-of-doors locations have an indoor alternative if weather is inclement.

2:30-2:50 Blue Hill Books: John Reinhart
3:05-3:25 Shaw Institute: Annaliese Jakimides
3:40-4:00 Juniper: Ed Go
4:15-4:35 John Murphy Trail: Christian Barter
4:50-5:10 Congregational Church: melissa goodrum

Here’s info on our featured poet to read at the Shaw Institute:
Annaliese Jakimides makes poems, art, and stories (true and un), from her memory bank of scrappy Boston, her first-generation refugee family, decades living on the land in northern Maine, her New Orleans musician love, and more. She’s published 1,000+ short-works in magazines (Utne, GQ), journals (Beloit,Consequence), and anthologies (MLA winners Breaking Bread, Alive to This), and on NPR. Cited in national competitions, Pushcart, and Best of the Nets, the four-time MLA finalist is cofounder of the Belfast Poetry Festival, serves on MWPA’s Community Advisory Board, cowrote the musical Love Affair, and is, for the first time, at work on a book-length project. annaliesejakimides.com.

Boo Hill: Halloween In Downtown Blue Hill
2025-10-31 16:00 - 19:30 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Celebrate Halloween in downtown Blue Hill and visit Charlie the Shark’s lair for a trick or treat. Doors open at 4 pm until candy and treats run out. More details coming soon!

Ocean-Themed Cyanotype Print Workshop
2025-11-02 12:00 - 14:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Explore the intertidal zone through the art and science of cyanotype printmaking. This workshop, led by marine scientist, artist, and educator Rose Edwards, invites participants aged 10 and up to create memorable prints using algae, crab molts, and shells. All materials, including two 8.5” x 11” pieces of photosensitive fabric, are provided. The finished products could be used to make throw pillows or wall hangings once home. In case of rain, artificial UV lights will be provided in lieu of the sun. Please note the workshop will be held in the Shaw Institute basement lab, which is accessible by stairs only. For any accessibility concerns, please contact us so we can make appropriate accommodations.
Registration Required.
Ages: 10 yrs+
Sunday, November 2, 2025 | 12 PM – 2 PM
$33 (ALL MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED)

Forever Ours: PFAS and Plastics Opening Reception
2025-11-22 16:00 - 18:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
The Shaw Institute is proud to host Forever Ours: PFAS and Plastics, a thought-provoking art exhibition exploring humanity’s complex relationship with persistent materials like microplastics and PFAS. The exhibit, which runs through summer of 2026, opens with a public reception on Saturday, November 22, from 4:00pm – 6:00pm at the Shaw Institute’s Environmental Education Center in downtown Blue Hill, Maine.
Forever Ours brings together the work of 11 environmental artists whose visual and mixed-media pieces capture both the beauty and the burden of materials that have become “forever” intertwined with the natural world. The collection invites visitors to reflect on sustainability, pollution, and the shared responsibility of protecting our planet’s future. Each piece is accompanied by an explanatory statement that informs viewers about the environmental impact of these contaminants.
Dr. Rolsky’s talk will address the complex realities of plastic pollution, including misleading greenwashing practices, as well as cutting-edge research on microplastics and the development of sustainable materials.

4:00 PM: Reception (light refreshments and snacks provided)
5:00 PM: Lecture begins

Opening Reception will feature wine and cheese from Blue Hill Wine Shop. The event is free and open to the public.

Holiday Ornament Needle Felting Workshop
2025-11-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
THIS EVENT IS FULL. Create a felt holiday ornament at the Shaw Institute’s needling workshop! Local artist Reese will lead this hands-on class for parents and kids (ages 8+). Sharp needles are used, so children must be supervised by an adult. All participants creating an ornament must register. Accompanying adults who are not creating an ornament are admitted free of charge but must also register. All supplies included.
Instructor: Reese Wolfe
Ages: 8 & up
Fee: $14

Storytime with Charlie the Shark: Ellsworth Public Library
2025-12-01 10:30 - 11:30 | Ellworth Public Library, 20 State Street, Ellsworth, ME, 04605, United States
Meet the Shaw Institute’s resident shark, Charlie, at the Ellsworth Public Library on December 1, 2025. He loves to read books to kids about the ocean, teaching them why taking care of the ocean is important for us all. Your school or youth group will find the experience to be engaging and most of all … fun! The Shaw Institute, in Blue Hill, aims to use its scientific research projects as opportunities for the public to learn about our work and provide an inclusive science education learning environment for the community.

Plastics Seminar: Dr. Rolsky at University of Maine
2025-12-09 11:00 - 12:00 | University of Maine, ME, United States
Join plastic pollution expert Dr. Charlie Rolsky at the University of Maine as he talks about how we’ve changed our relationship status with plastic to, “it’s complicated”. In this discussion, he’ll demystify the truths and myths surrounding our use of this pervasive material, from the hidden dangers of microplastic pollution and its presence in the human body, to the misleading marketing practices of greenwashing. Dr. Rolsky will also highlight the latest research from the Shaw Institute on the impact of plastics on human health, PFAS contamination, and innovative coastal monitoring efforts. This talk will explore the complex reality of plastic pollution and offer insights into a more sustainable future.

Oysters, Wine, and Animal Affairs: A Valentine's Day Celebration with a Twist
2026-02-14 16:30 - 18:30 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Come celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Shaw Institute! Enjoy Oysters, wine, and cheese (you know those good ol’ aphrodisiacs) before our executive director shares an R-rated lecture on how critters find love in the natural world. He’ll speak about interesting mating strategies, wacky habits, strange mate choices, and relationship drama in the animal kingdom. From eating your mate’s head or doing silly bird dances in hopes of securing a partner, we’ll cover all the best of the wild and zany love stories in nature. Think you’ve been in weird relationships? Well, think again. MUST BE AT LEAST 21.

Food and Drink 4:30-5:30 pm
Lecture: 5:30-6:30 pm

COST: $36 per person
This event is LIMITED TO 30 people.

Earth Day Celebration: Shaw Institute and BHHT
2026-04-11 09:30 - 12:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Celebrate Earth Day with a free, community-powered event that brings together families, local schools, and environmental organizations in a shared commitment to protecting our planet.
This year’s special feature is “Dear Community” Kids Letters — an inspiring project where children write letters or create drawings expressing their commitment to the Earth and their community. Submissions will be collected through local schools and published in The Weekly Packet (target issue: April 16).
Selected letters and artwork will also be displayed in the Shaw Institute lobby through June 30, highlighting the voices of our youngest environmental stewards.
Invitations to schools and families will be distributed by March 15. The submission deadline is April 11.
✍️ “Dear Community” Kids Letters Project
Children are invited to:

Write a letter about how they will care for the Earth
Create a drawing showing their environmental commitment
Share ideas for protecting their community

Publication Goal: April 16 issue of The Weekly Packet (2–4 page feature spread)Submission Deadline: April 11
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE DEAR COMMUNITY FORM
🎨 Event Activities & Crafts
Families can enjoy hands-on Earth Day fun including:
Crafts

♻️ Nature & microplastic mosaics
🐚 Shell necklace creations

Interactive Activities

🐚 Shell tic-tac-toe
🌊 Touch tank exploration
🌎 Additional Earth-themed learning stations

Touch Tank 1-Year Anniversary Celebration!
2026-04-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Celebrate the first anniversary of our 200-gallon touch tank! With special treats courtesy of our friends at the Blue Chill and Hannaford’s. If you’ve been here before, come rediscover all our critters native to the Gulf of Maine. And if you’ve never visited, this is the perfect opportunity to take in this amazing hands-on experience. It’s FREE, FUN and FANTASTIC!!
Thank you to:

Their ongoing support had continued to allow us to make our Environmental Education Center free and open to the public year-round!

Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce After-hours Event
2026-04-23 17:00 - 19:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
As part part of the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours series, come visit the Shaw Institute in downtown Blue Hill! Guests can view the touch tank, aquariums, and exhibits. Researchers and volunteers will be available to answer questions and talk about Shaw’s work. Additionally, we’ll have lab tours every half hour starting at 5:30 PM, 6:00 PM, and 6:30 PM.
RSVP TODAY: katelin@ellsworthchamber.com
Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA
2026-04-25 09:00 - 11:00 | Blue Hill YMCA, 32 Mines Rd, Blue Hill, ME, 04614, United States
Shaw is participating in Health Kids Day at the Blue Hill YMCA. A day of fun and supporting healthy living for kids of all ages.
We’ll be providing an ocean-themed activity

Storytime with Charlie the Shark at Blue Hill Public Library
2026-05-02 10:30 - 11:30 | Blue Hill Public Library, 5 Parker Point Road, Blue Hill, ME, 04614, United States
Kids are invited to an Ocean Storytime with Charlie the Shark from the Shaw Institute on Saturday, May 2 at 10:30 am. Charlie loves to read books to kids about the ocean and teach them why caring about our oceans is important. Join him for a fun ocean themed story, songs about the ocean and a fun craft!
The Shaw Institute’s mission is to discover and expose environmental threats to people and wildlife through innovative science and to engage in global partnerships to improve human and ecological health. For more information, visit https://www.shawinstitute.org/.
For more information, email Claire at claire.malina@bhpl.net or call the library at 374-5515

World Ocean Day: Celebrating Research to Understand Ecosystem-to-Human Connection
2026-06-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Blue Hill Co-op, 70 South Street, Blue Hill, ME, 04614, United States
Dr. Charlie Rolsky, Executive Director of the Shaw Institute, will present the latest research from the Shaw Institute on the impact of plastics on human health, PFAS contamination, and innovative coastal monitoring efforts. His talk will delve into the complex reality of plastic pollution, offering insights into a more sustainable future and highlighting the importance of connecting environmental health to human health, both locally and globally.

Celebrate World Ocean Day with a Family-Friendly Beach Cleanup!
2026-06-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Bridges Point, 23 Bridges Point Lane, Brooklin, ME, 04616, United States
Join the Shaw Institute and The Blue Hill Co-op for this community event to help care for our fragile Maine coastline. It’s a coastal cleanup that continues the celebration of World Ocean Day. All are welcome, and cleanup materials, including gloves and bags, will be provided.
Location
Bridges Point
23 Bridges Point Ln, Brooklin, ME

Born This Way, and Every Way: Diversity Across the Animal Kingdom
2026-06-15 17:00 - 19:00 | Pentagoet Inn & Pub, 26 Main St, Castine, ME, 04421, United States
Dr. Charles Rolsky will be hosting “Born This Way, and Every Way: Diversity Across the Animal Kingdom,” a fun, Pride Month-themed talk in the pub on Monday, June 15, at 5pm, inclusive of a little game he calls “So You Think YOU’VE got a Weird Relationship?” We will explore the animal kingdom’s most extraordinary connections. During this lecture, we’ll celebrate Pride by uncovering the diverse ways nature’s creatures bond, from same-sex pairings to queer and trans relationships. These fascinating love stories reveal that diverse affection is a perfectly natural part of our world

So come on by, grab a glass of wine, and let’s talk about the animal kingdom, in all its fascinating ways!

Suggested age: 17 & up

Marine Biology Walk & Talk
2026-07-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Curtis Cove Beach, Milliken Road, Blue Hill, Maine, 04614
Discover how pollution impacts watersheds while learning about marine biology and local ecology. During this session, organized by the East Blue Hill Library, the Shaw Institute, will share insights from its extensive history of beach monitoring. Learn how our ongoing research initiatives work to safeguard both marine wildlife and the local community. Please meet at the beach. Parking is available at either the beach or down the street at the library. Rain date July 29.
Ages 6 and older.

Hanna B. Designs Pop Up at the Shaw Institute!
2026-07-17 10:00 - 16:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Hanna B. Designs Pop Up at the Shaw Institute
Come shop and play with Hanna B. at the Shaw Institute from 10 am to 4 pm in her iconic pink trailer on Friday, July 17!
Rain date: July 24

Tide Pool Exploration
2026-07-21 10:30 - 12:00 | DC
Learn about local marine ecology, and oceanography and the creatures that call Maine home, but be prepared to get wet!
This activity is for ages 8 and up, and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Be prepared for wet, slippery, and uneven ground. We recommend dressing lightly, bringing a water bottle, and wearing appropriate footwear such as waterproof shoes, hiking boots, or sturdy sandals.

Stitch and Suds: A Sustainable Clothing Workshop
2026-08-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Join us for an afternoon of learning sustainable clothes practices! Create your own personalized wool dryer ball and mend your preloved clothes! Ages 10 and up. No experience required. FREE event but registration is required.

Charlie the Shark at Blue Hill Town Park
2026-08-06 10:30 - 11:30 | Blue Hill Town Park, 113 Water St, ME, 04614, United States
Kids are invited to an Ocean Storytime with Charlie the Shark from the Shaw Institute on Thursday, August 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the Blue Hill Town Park. Charlie loves to read books to kids about the ocean and teach them why caring about our oceans is important. Join him for a fun ocean themed story, songs about the ocean, and a scavenger hunt!
The Shaw Institute’s mission is to discover and expose environmental threats to people and wildlife through innovative science and to engage in global partnerships to improve human and ecological health. For more information, visit https://www.shawinstitute.org/.
For more information, email Claire at claire.malina@bhpl.net or call the library at 374-5515.

Shaw Institute: Guided Tidepool at The Nub
2026-08-11 15:30 - 17:30 | The Nub, 113 Falls Bridge Rd, Blue Hill, ME 04614, 113 Falls Bridge Rd, Blue Hill, ME, 04614, United States

Shaw Institute: Updates on Research, Education, and Public Outreach
2026-08-18 17:00 - 18:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Join Executive Director Dr. Charlie Rolsky for an update on the Shaw Institute’s growing impact in the lab and across the coastal communities we serve. Over the past two years, we have expanded our environmental research, launched new educational initiatives, and deepened our partnerships to protect local ecosystems. Discover our latest milestones and hear our vision for the future. Plus, stick around after the talk for a hands-on touch tank experience and a chance to meet our newest aquarium residents, featuring Maine seahorses and a rare blue lobster! Doors open at 4:30 PM for drinks and refreshments. Lecture begins at 5 PM.

Nature’s Love Stories: An R-Rated, Wildly Queer Exploration
2026-08-24 17:00 - 19:00 | Pentagoet Inn & Pub, 26 Main St, Castine, ME, 04421, United States
Join us for a whimsical exploration of the animal kingdom’s most extraordinary connections as our executive director shares a lecture on how critters find love in the natural world. These fascinating love stories reveal that diverse affection is a perfectly natural part of our world. He’ll speak about interesting mating strategies, wacky habits, strange mate choices, and relationship drama in the animal kingdom. From eating your mate’s head or doing silly bird dances in hopes of securing a partner, we’ll cover all the best of the wild and zany love stories in nature. Suggested age: 17 & Up
Location:
Pentagöet Inn & Pub
26 Main Street
Castine, ME 04421
207-326-8616

Hanna B. Designs Pop Up at the Shaw Institute!
2026-08-29 10:00 - 17:00 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Hanna B. Designs Pop Up at the Shaw Institute
Back by popular demand! Come shop and play with Hanna B. and special guest, Griffin Tyler Art at the Shaw Institute from 10 am to 5 pm in her iconic pink trailer on Saturday, August 29!

Nudibranch Needle Felting Workshop
2026-08-30 09:00 - 11:30 | Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, 04614, United States
Discover the world of nudibranchs, the vibrant and colorful sea slugs that roam the ocean without shells. This hands-on workshop offers a chance to explore their biology—including their habitats, diets, and local species—while crafting your very own felted sea slug.
Instructor: Reese Wolfe
Date: Sunday, August 30
Time: 9:00 am-11:30 pm
Ages 10 & up
Registration Waiver
Instructor Bio:
Reese is a local Blue Hill artist who has a passion for the fibre art of needle felting. Reese is studying Ecology and Environmental Sciences with a focus on Marine Ecosystems at UMO.
He is enamored with North American wildlife and ecosystems. You’ll notice that most of his work focuses on recreating their likeness as detailed as possible. In doing so, he hopes to spread the word of each and every animal’s conservation efforts through his artwork. Reese is excited to share his love for the art and the animals he recreates with the community.
