K-12 & Educators

To foster the future Blue Economy workforce, it is important to provide Maine’s youth and educators with tools and resources to build foundational skills and knowledge. Explore engaging learning experiences and opportunities below.

Explore:

Aquaculture

Fisheries

Tourism & Recreation

Aquaculture

4-H Aquaponics Project

Participants: K-12 youth; Maine youth and educators

Program Type: 4-H program; project-based STEM learning

An image of an aquaponics project

Project-based 4-H learning experience that teaches K-12 youth about sustainable aquaponics systems, fish husbandry, plant production, biology, chemistry and engineering.

Learn More about 4-H Aquaponics Project

4-H Aquaculture Ambassadors

Participants: Teen learners; 4-H youth

Program Type: 4-H leadership program

A photo of two ambassadors at a table

Teen leadership program supporting youth-led aquaculture projects, outreach, education and community engagement around sustainable aquaculture practices.

Learn More about 4-H Aquaculture Ambassadors

4-H Aquarium Club

Participants: Youth ages 5–18

Program Type: 4-H club

A photo of a child looking into an aquarium

Youth aquarium club for Maine 4-H members interested in fish, aquaria, aquatic animal care and aquaculture-related learning.

Learn More about 4-H Aquarium Club

4-H Virtual Field Trips to Maine Aquaculture Facilities

Participants: K-12 youth; educators; independent learners; general audiences

Program Type: Digital learning resource; virtual field trip; curriculum support

An image of a boat with call out numbers showing different parts of the vessel

Free browser-based 360° virtual field trips that let learners explore aquaculture facilities, hear from experts and use lesson-plan resources without travel.

Learn More about 4-H Virtual Field Trips

Aquaculture ME! Program

Participants: K-12 educators; aquaculture education partners

Program Type: K-12 education network; teacher support program; curriculum/resource network

A photo of a person next to a tank of water

Statewide collaborative network connecting K-12 educators with aquaculture resources, professional relationships and classroom aquaculture system support to expand aquaculture education in Maine schools.

Learn More about The Aquaculture ME! Program

aquaculture micro-credentials

Participants: Youth ages 14+; teen learners

Program Type: Micro-credential; 4-H youth workforce pathway

An image of a microcredential badge

Stacked digital badges for teen learners that recognize aquaculture knowledge and applied skill development through UMaine Extension 4-H aquaculture learning experiences.

Learn More about aquaculture micro-credentials

CCAR Aquaculture Teaching Lab

Participants: K-12 classrooms; educators; undergraduate interns; trainees

Program Type: Teaching lab; virtual and hands-on training

An aerial image of CCAR

Teaching lab used for virtual classroom engagement and in-person hands-on aquaculture training, often connected to internship and experiential learning opportunities.

Learn More about CCAR Aquaculture Teaching Lab

Downeast Institute Marine Science Days

Participants: K-12 students; educators

Program Type: K-12 experiential education program; field-based marine science program

An image of children participating in Downeast Institute Marine Science Days activities

Hands-on, field-based marine science programming at Downeast Institute, the University of Maine at Machias Marine Science Field Station, connecting K-12 students to applied marine research and coastal ecosystems.

Learn More about Downeast Institute Marine Science Days

Innovations in Aquaculture 4-H Science Toolkit

Participants: Grades 6–8; adaptable for other youth audiences

Program Type: 4-H STEM toolkit; curriculum resource

Middle school STEM toolkit introducing aquaculture concepts through hands-on activities that can be adapted for a range of youth learners.

Learn More about Innovations in Aquaculture 4-H Science Toolkit

SEA for Inland and Rural Communities

Participants: Qualifying K-12 schools; industry

Program Type: Workforce aspirations; environmental literacy

Experiential marine science and workforce connections serve multiple capacities, leverage broad expertise and coastal assets. A multi-disciplinary approach brings the sea to the classroom and students to the sea. Field trips to Darling Marine Center and Downeast Institute to explore aquaculture research and sea farming. Educational boat tours and industry exchange; classroom hands-on ocean activities and training/career exploration.

For more information, contact Keri Kaczor 207.974.9502; keri.kaczor@maine.edu

Seaweed Science, Art, and Cooking

Participants: K-12 schools, educator P.D, public festivals/events

Program Type: Educator workshops; workforce aspirations, environmental literacy

Hands-on touch tank, art, and culinary activities showcase seaweed’s role in ecoystems and the marine economy.

For more information, contact Keri Kaczor 207.974.9502; keri.kaczor@maine.edu.

University of Maine Traveling Touch Tank Program

Participants: K-12 students; general public; community audiences

Program Type: Outreach program; experiential education; portable exhibit

An image of many hands over a marine touch tank exhibits, some holding marine creatures

Mobile touch tank experience that brings native Maine marine organisms and hands-on coastal ecosystem education to schools, events, fairs and community settings.

Learn More about the Traveling Touch Tank Program

Your Future in Aquaculture: Testing the Waters 4-H Toolkit

Participants: Grades 9–12

Program Type: 4-H STEM toolkit; career exploration curriculum

An illustration of a fish

High school 4-H toolkit that helps youth explore aquaculture careers, water quality, farming concepts and the steps involved in developing an aquaculture project.

Learn More about Your Future in Aquaculture: Testing the Waters 4-H Toolkit

Fisheries

Downeast Institute Marine Science Days

Participants: K-12 students; educators

Program Type: K-12 experiential education program; field-based marine science program

An image of children participating in Downeast Institute Marine Science Days activities

Hands-on, field-based marine science programming at Downeast Institute, the University of Maine at Machias Marine Science Field Station, connecting K-12 students to applied marine research and coastal ecosystems.

Learn More about Downeast Institute Marine Science Days

SEA for Inland and Rural Communities

Participants: Qualifying K-12 schools; industry

Program Type: Workforce aspirations; environmental literacy

Experiential marine science and workforce connections serve multiple capacities, leverage broad expertise and coastal assets. A multi-disciplinary approach brings the sea to the classroom and students to the sea. Field trips to Darling Marine Center and Downeast Institute to explore aquaculture research and sea farming. Educational boat tours and industry exchange; classroom hands-on ocean activities and training/career exploration.

For more information, contact Keri Kaczor 207.974.9502; keri.kaczor@maine.edu

Seaweed Science, Art, and Cooking

Participants: K-12 schools, educator P.D, public festivals/events

Program Type: Educator workshops; workforce aspirations, environmental literacy

Hands-on touch tank, art, and culinary activities showcase seaweed’s role in ecoystems and the marine economy.

For more information, contact Keri Kaczor 207.974.9502; keri.kaczor@maine.edu.

Sustainable Fishing 4-H Science Toolkit

Participants: Grades 3–5

Program Type: 4-H STEM toolkit; curriculum resource

An illustration of a fish

Elementary STEM toolkit introducing youth to Maine fisheries, sustainable fishing concepts, fish ecology and DNA-based approaches for detecting species in aquatic environments.

Learn More about Sustainable Fishing 4-H Science Toolkit

Tourism & Recreation

Touch Tank Technician Micro-credential Pathway

Participants: Teen learners; adult learners; undergraduate students; graduate students; outreach staff

Program Type: Micro-credential pathway; experiential outreach training

An image of a microcredential badge

Micro-credential pathway recognizing skills needed to safely deliver educational touch tank programming and engage audiences with marine organisms and coastal science.

Learn More about Touch Tank Technician Micro-credential Pathway

University of Maine Traveling Touch Tank Program

Participants: K-12 students; general public; community audiences

Program Type: Outreach program; experiential education; portable exhibit

An image of many hands over a marine touch tank exhibits, some holding marine creatures

Mobile touch tank experience that brings native Maine marine organisms and hands-on coastal ecosystem education to schools, events, fairs and community settings.

Learn More about the Traveling Touch Tank Program