On November 15, several classes from Gorham High School (GHS) seniors traveled by bus to Portland to participate and observe in an Eggs and Issues session. This is a monthly business forum where community members and representatives of the Portland Community Chamber of Commerce gather to discuss a predetermined topic.

Students from Nan Acker-Wolfhagen’s A.P Environmental Science class and Sally Hatch’s Marine Science class were chosen to attend and encouraged to branch out and engage in the discussions and following question and answer session.

November’s topic was related to what the students have been learning in their classes: following the health of Casco Bay and economic prosperity for the state and specific regions. The guest speaker was Don Perkins, the CEO of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. While he talked about the economic prosperity of the region and the problems that it is facing, he also spoke on extending in different areas over the next several years, including broadening public access. Perkins discussed driving the growth of the state’s seafood economy by sustaining industries such as Maine’s coveted lobster industry, supporting ground fish resurgence, and encouraging agriculture opportunities.

Garrett Higgins, a senior in Nan Acker-Wolfhagen’s class, spoke about his experience with the conference. “The Eggs and Issues conference was a great opportunity for us to learn about real-time issues relating to our field of interest. It also allowed us to see a gathering of business people in the Portland area and possibly make connections. I thought the conference was extremely beneficial,” said Higgins.

While at the conference, Higgins did make small connections with the research institute, which may result in a possible internship for him this summer.