Education & Workforce Development
Classroom curricula, professional training, and career pathways — connecting students and professionals to Maine's growing aquaculture industry.EDUCATION
K-12 Aquaculture Education
Classroom-ready curricula and hands-on professional development opportunities for educators across Maine.
ALL GRADE LEVELS
Bivalve Curriculum
In Maine, bivalve aquaculture — oysters, mussels, scallops, and clams — is central to the farmed seafood industry. This curriculum "cracks the shell" on bivalve biology and takes students on a journey from the hatchery to the table.
ELEMENTARY
Seaweed Curriculum
In collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund, MAIC distributed 1,000 copies of With a Little Kelp from Our Friends to educators across Maine, accompanied by teacher resources to build literacy around seaweed aquaculture.
professional development
Teachers Camp
Hands-on professional development for Maine educators — building the confidence and knowledge to bring aquaculture into the classroom through immersive, field-based learning experiences.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
WCCC High School Pre-Apprenticeship
MAIC has partnered with Washington County Community College to provide an 8-week summer pre-apprenticeship program for current or recently graduated high school students in Washington County.
The program focuses on Washington County aquaculture operations, but may be open to Hancock County businesses and beyond.
This program aims to:
✓Provide hands-on work experience in aquaculture
✓Teach critical skills to prepare students for a career in aquaculture
✓Introduce critical knowledge to prepare students for a career in aquaculture
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Aquaculture in Shared Waters
A community-based aquaculture training program offering courses for fishermen and sea farmers based in Maine
Aquaculture Bootcamp
Essential skill-building training exercises to prepare new entrants to shellfish and kelp farming as practiced in Maine. Cohorts work in small groups on hands-on activities fundamental to working safely around the water.
Strong Bodies, Strong Minds
A workshop series focused on building skills and community through knowledge-sharing and co-learning. Designed based on research on the training needs of women aquaculturists — open to all, with content best suited to this audience.
AQSW 1.0: Entry Level Training Course
A four-month training program covering the basics of shellfish and seaweed farming, designed to support people interested in starting their own aquaculture businesses in Maine.
AQSW 2.0: Business of Shellfish Aquaculture
A community-based, 1.5-month training program designed to support current shellfish farmers who have been operating an aquaculture business for 1 to 10 years in Maine.
EDUCATION
Aquaculture Learning Modules
Free self-guided learning modules that cover the basics on a variety of aquaculture topics
Introduction to Aquaculture
This introductory module provides a brief overview of aquaculture for people just getting started in the aquaculture industry. Additionally, it can serve as a resource for people with more experience in the aquaculture industry to find more in depth sources to further explore their ideas and questions.
Bivalve Biology
Cracking the Shell
Whether it's oysters, mussels, scallops, or clams — bivalve aquaculture is central to Maine's farmed seafood industry. This module explores bivalve biology to build a foundation for understanding how we farm these organisms.
Seaweed Farming
Biology, Methodology & Global Context
Maine is a pioneer in the U.S. seaweed industry. This module takes a look at seaweed farming both here in Maine and globally.
Site Selection
Know Your Environment
Selecting the right site for your aquaculture farm can make or break your business. This module covers the steps and considerations involved in selecting an aquaculture site.
Safety & Seamanship
When out on the water, whether on a boat or on the farm, staying safe is your absolute priority. This module introduces learners to maritime safety, navigation, and operational readiness for aquaculture operations.
Aquaculture & Tourism
Aquaculture farm tours in Maine are an exciting way to diversify a farm’s income while introducing community members and tourists to the people, practices, and ecosystems behind Maine’s working waterfront. In this module, dive into what a farm needs in order to be ready to offer farm tours.
Community Aspects of Site Selection
Selecting the correct site for your aquaculture farm goes beyond selecting the best environmental conditions. Our ocean and coastline is a shared resource and in this module we dive into how to earn your social license to operate.
Explore All Topics
Browse the full library of free self-guided modules at the Aquaculture Learning Hub.
EDUCATION
Classes at Washington County Community College
Washington County Community College, located in Calais, Maine, offers aquaculture programming that directly connects students and professionals to Maine's growing marine industry.
MAIC partners with WCCC to develop curriculum, connect students with industry mentors, and create seamless pathways from secondary education into college-level and career training.