PORT TOWNSEND — A $148,000 grant to the Port Townsend Marine Science Center will support teacher training for the Maritime Discovery Schools Initiative, a public school effort to incorporate maritime topics into the curriculum.
“This is a whole different ballgame,” said David Engle, Port Townsend schools superintendent.
“It will allow teachers to collaborate with other partners and help them learn more about place-based learning.”
The three-year grant was allocated to the marine science center by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services so the district can bring in nationally recognized education leaders for teacher development and student programs.
“We have a great three years ahead of us,” Engle said.
By providing teacher training about the place-based learning process, which is now in its second year, the quality of the instruction will improve, he said.
The funds will make an immediate difference in the program, according to Sarah Rubenstein, director of the Maritime Discovery Schools Initiative.
Some programs will begin this month, she said.
“This grant will help us build and sustain important community partnerships,” she said.
“It will also increase our own district staff learning and increase the capacity to provide rigourous and high-quality learning experiences for our students.”
School Board member Jennifer James-Wilson said the grant is an “extension and expansion of what we have been doing.
“It will allow us to strengthen our ties with one another and create something really unique.”
The initiative has built about 40 partnerships. Collaborations include those with the marine science center, the Northwest Maritime Center, the North Olympic Salmon Coalition and Sound Experience, which operates the schooner Adventuress.
Rubenstein said the grant will help manage and develop new partnerships, such as one with the Western Flyer Foundation in the Boat Haven.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.