Shaw Institute receives electric truck donation
Partnership with local dealership brings science to rural communities
New EV truck allows the Shaw Institute to “bring really exciting STEM programming right to people’s doorsteps,” says the organization’s director. Photo courtesy of the Shaw Institute.
March 17, 2026
By John Boit
BLUE HILL—A Blue Hill environmental research nonprofit is expanding its reach across rural Maine with the help of a new electric vehicle donated by a local dealership.
The Shaw Institute announced it has received a free two-year lease of a Chevy Silverado EV from Stanley Chevrolet, a partnership leaders say will significantly boost the organization’s research, public health monitoring and science education efforts.
The all-electric truck replaces an aging vehicle and will be used to support field research, marine mammal rescue operations and a new mobile science education program aimed at underserved communities.
“At Stanley Chevrolet, we believe in investing in the communities we serve,” said owner Mark Politte. “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.”
A central component of the partnership is the launch of a mobile STEM education initiative that will bring hands-on science programming directly to schools and homeschool groups, particularly in rural areas that may not be able to travel to the institute’s Blue Hill campus.
“For every school or group that can visit us in Blue Hill, there are many more who cannot,” said Dr. Charles Rolsky, the institute’s executive director and senior research scientist. “This partnership…is a game-changer. It allows us to bridge that gap and bring really exciting STEM programming right to people’s doorsteps.”
The vehicle will be outfitted with equipment such as microscopes and water quality testing kits, enabling staff to deliver lessons on topics including marine mammal health, plastic pollution and coastal ecosystems.
In addition to education, the truck will support the institute’s beach bacteria monitoring program, which tests water quality at popular swimming spots across the Blue Hill Peninsula. The program provides data used to inform public health advisories during the summer months.
“Our beach monitoring work is directly tied to community health,” Rolsky said. “Having a reliable vehicle means we can maintain consistent monitoring schedules and respond quickly when conditions change.”
The Silverado EV will also be used for fieldwork, including responding to stranded marine mammals and transporting equipment to remote coastal sites.
“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,” Rolsky said.
Both the institute and the dealership highlighted the environmental benefits of the all-electric truck, saying it aligns with broader efforts to reduce emissions while supporting conservation work.
“This is more than a vehicle donation,” Rolsky said. “It’s a statement about the kind of future we want to build together.”
The Shaw Institute, based in Blue Hill, focuses on the connection between environmental and human health through research, education and community outreach.
