
Training America’s Next Generation of Mariners
The term “maritime” refers to the practical side of industry, including sailing, ship repair, fishing terminal operations, or marine engineering.
Maritime schools have down their part of the last several years in developing curriculum, engaging students, advancing student academic proficiency, and creating an interest for post-secondary maritime education and careers.
Maritime Pedagogy

Let’s Get One More National Multi Mission Vessel, but Let’s Add Some Grit
By: Rik van Hemmen
The new maritime academy school ships being built at Philly Shipyard (officially designated as National Security Multi-Mission Vessels) are an exciting development and provide a significant boost to our national maritime educational system. The technology on our existing school ships has very little relevance to the present marine industry, and these new vessels will not only provide the students with a better educational setting, in their multi-role deployment, they will also provide more exposure to maritime education.
The Rise of Primary and Secondary Maritime Schools
Eric Haun, June 2014
Primary and secondary maritime schools are sprouting up across the country, inspiring K-12 students to learn about the exciting, yet sometimes obscured domestic waterfront. The goals of these maritime school programs are many and multifaceted, but at the core they motivate and engage students by bringing something new and exciting to the classroom while giving teachers an effective means for capturing the attention of their classes. And as new student. . . READ MORE
Hands-On Learning and Best Practices in Marine/Maritime Education
Hands-on learning happens when instructors engage with students in direct experience and focused reflection to enhance students’ knowledge, skillset and values. Hands-on learning allows students to learn through experiencing something and gives them an opportunity to immerse themselves in a learning environment, while putting their acquired skills to use and building new skills. . . READ MORE
Maritime Terminology
Change your speech in a maritime school or classroom!
Resources
Incorporating Maritime Into STEM Courses: A Guide for K-12 Educators
Incorporating maritime into your STEM courses can: raise students’ awareness of this vital national industry, equip them with industry-validated knowledge & skills, and encourage them to pursue a career pathway early on in their academic career.
MARAD
The United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) works with K-12 schools, especially at the high school level, to put students on a maritime career path. MARAD also recognizes maritime education at the middle school level, teaching 4th-8th graders basic maritime skills such as marine navigation and recognizing international marine signal flags.
Curriculum
Cross-Curriculum Planning for K-7 Coastal & Marine Studies
This module includes Coastal and Marine Themes Across the Curriculum, Integrating through the Content of Subject Areas, Integrating Through Learning Skills and Processes, and Integrating into Key Learning Areas.
On Demand Digital Marine Science Curricula: Ocean First Education
Ocean First Education is Making Waves. Ocean First Education is an active contributor to the field of marine science through scientific research. This depth of knowledge serves as the foundation for their extraordinary educational coursework.
Ocean Curriculum Catalog
Providing lessons that integrate real research data and classroom. This curriculum catalog provides a comprehensive list of links to educational content, lesson plans, and educational activities for kindergarten through secondary programs. Sponsored by World Ocean Observatory.
Guides
MARE Teacher’s Guides to Marine Habitats: K-8
MARE: Marine Activities, Resources & Education is a program based at the University of California, Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science that seeks to increase literacy in ocean sciences through informal and formal education initiatives. Efforts to disseminate ocean sciences content include: Ocean sciences curriculum, College courses, Professional development, MARE in schools, Ocean Literacy Campaign, Youth programs, Partnerships with other institutions.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):
Education resources are distributed across many websites and program offices at NOAA and partner websites. This portal is designed to help you access these resources from one location. Materials are organized by themes aligned with common teaching topics.
Supplemental Resources
Paul Cuffee School: Maritime Lessons for Academic & Life Learning
Education resources are distributed across many websites and program offices at NOAA and partner websites. This portal is designed to help you access these resources from one location. Materials are organized by themes aligned with common teaching topics.
The Island School Pedagogy
Everything you ever wanted to know about best practices, hand-on, interactive, and three-dimensional learning can be found at this amazing school’s website. Students are encouraged to generate answers and determine validity independent of their teacher.
Publications
Engle, D. Beattie, J. “Ready for College, Ready for Sea – A 21st Century Approach of Education.” Maritime Discovery. pp. 1- 21.
Sulzer, Arthur. “Maritime and Marine Science Schools: Training America’s next generation of mariners.” United States Coast Guard: Proceedings, Jan. – Apr. 2017, pp. 40-45.
The content of this page is maintained by MPSEC Editorial Associates:
Renee Marazon, Distinguished Maritime Educator & Administrator