COURTESY OF THE MAINE AQUACULTURE INNOVATION CENTER
Take two iconic, cherished classics of Maine’s children’s literature: Charlotte’s Web, by E. B. White, and One Morning in Maine, by Robert McCluskey. The first unfolds on a farm while the second captures the coastal life of a young girl and her father digging for clams. Both books resonate with themes of Maine and the journey of growing up in this beautiful state. But could there be a deeper connection between the books? After all, farming extends beyond land to the very shores of the sea.
Aquaculture, or ocean farming, presents a significant opportunity for Maine’s coastal communities and economy, and Maine has already established itself as a leader in sustainable farmed seafood. This sector not only connects local food systems and jobs to Maine’s rich culture and environment, but also embodies hands-on innovation and creative scientific exploration — ideal for engaging Maine students in meaningful, place-based educational experiences.
The Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center (MAIC) in partnership with Maine Sea Grant, the University of Maine, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, the Downeast Institute, and teachers across Maine, are developing a vision for integrating aquaculture into Maine schools. This initiative aims to foster engaged, knowledgeable communities while preparing students for jobs. Education begins at the K-8 level where students learn about aquaculture’s role in Maine coastal ecosystems, and progresses to high school where students explore various career pathways — from working on boats, to marketing products, and conducting research.
To support educators in incorporating aquaculture into their classrooms, MAIC and partners are creating hands-on, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) curricula that align with Maine learning standards. In 2023 and 2024 with support from the World Wildlife Fund and the USDA, MAIC successfully piloted the Kelp Curriculum for grades 4 to 6. Teachers statewide were introduced to this free, online resource and many have implemented the hands-on lessons. In Blue Hill, for example, Ms. Herrmann’s class explored seaweeds, tried their hands at cooking with kelp, and discovered how kelp farming benefits ecosystems.
With enthusiastic support from educators, MAIC and partners continue to engage Maine teachers in aquaculture education with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), by hosting workshops, field experiences, and a summer teachers’ camp. The project team — which includes two outstanding teachers — is now developing a new curriculum focussed on bivalve aquaculture, which will serve as an additional free resource for Maine classrooms. With all of the innovation in aquaculture, it only makes sense to connect young, enthusiastic learners with emerging opportunities in their own communities. And what better way to do that than with a little ‘kelp’ from the teachers who know them best?
To access the free Kelp Curriculum, visit maineaquaculture.org/kelp_curriculum. For more information about MAIC’s other education projects, visit learn.maineaquaculture.org or reach out to us directly at [email protected].
