Maine Ocean School

Maine Ocean School is a public magnet high school for marine science, technology, transportation, and engineering. In addition to receiving a complete high school curriculum, students pursue academic programs such as Marine Science, Transportation, Engineering, and Management based on their interests. They have the opportunity to achieve professional credentials like Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC), and more. Learning happens as students experience the ocean through on- and near-water experiences and regular interactions with marine practitioners.

In October, students enrolled in Maritime Business Mathematics explored the complexities of staffing and payroll by developing their own businesses. After selecting an industry, students determined a location, business type, and weekly staffing needs. In the final phases of this project, students completed W-9s for their "staff members" and generated paychecks for each employee. At the end of the project students felt their ability to accurately calculate payroll deductions would influence their financial decision making in the future. 

Herring Gut Learning Center

Herring Gut Learning Center educates students and communities about the connections between the ocean, inland waters, and economy of Maine.

In addition to summer camps, summer events, alternative education and gifted and talented programs, Herring Gut offers a Middle School Intensive year-long science program. Students are involved in hands-on experiential learning including a micro-business model utilizing an on-site aquaponics system, salt-water lab and lobster pound for growing kelp. The curriculum aligns with Next Generation Science Standards with a focus on understanding the various water ecosystems, inhabitants, influences and effects of changing the climate.

Students who attended Early Release Day Adventures recently explored the fun science of states of matter. They made snow volcanoes using a kid-friendly elephant toothpaste experiment! The decomposition reaction of the hydrogen peroxide was sped up with a yeast catalyst causing a faster reaction. Dish soap was added to help make the reaction nice and bubbly.

Belfast Area High School Pilot: Marine Institute & Apprenticeship Program

Belfast's question: How might we turn a nationwide workforce deficiency into potential career exploration opportunities for students?

Their pilot: They aim to prepare all Marine Institute students to apply STEM skills and practices in their career and future education by implementing a half-day program that allows for both community partnerships as well as career exploration through site visits and STEM related field trips. The RREV Grant Application will also support a rapid expansion of the number of student internships.

MDOE's RREV pilots are meant to inspire educators around the state to think boldly. Is there an idea from Belfast that you'd be excited to discuss with your educator colleagues? Share this newsletter with them!

Watch the video to hear from Lisa White, a science teacher at the public high school in Belfast, describe the project - and click HERE to learn more.

GET INVOLVED!

We hope these excerpts in our newsletters help to get your wheels turning!

• How might you adapt these programs for your students?
• Might your child benefit from engaging in programming like this?
• Do you know of an administrator building similar ideas in your school?

Use this as a chance to nurture your creative thinking, build connections, and find collaborators to leverage the passions and expertise of Mainers around the state.

And if you like one of these ideas and want to try it at your school, join as a What School Could Be Maine Seed School and get support on implementation.

You can learn more about this opportunity on our website here or indicate your interest using this form! (Deadlines approaching!)