Herring Gut Coastal Science Center brings the ocean to your students. Programs can range in topics from climate change, marine habitats, planktonic organisms and phylum explorations.

Maine is a leader in the aquaculture industry. From shellfish, finfish and algae, our programs help educate students about sustainable aquaculture.

Tide pooling, water quality testing, watershed monitoring, beach explorations. Nature is the best classroom.

Fresh to Salt: Flowing Together: For educators who want hands-on, place-based watershed education that connects students with ecosystems, other schools in their watershed, and conservation organizations.

Data Art: For educators who want to integrate art and science a la Jill Pelto and empower their students to be science communicators.

Fresh and saltwater are all around us in Maine. Many of our industries rely on healthy water which provides environmental and economic value to our communities.

Herring Gut Coastal Science Center's aquaponics system is still producing lettuces, basil, parsley, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and more! Our original larger system was nearly 20 years old with a long history of involving local students, volunteers, and staff in programs such as School of Roots and First Work. Our current system is a small, interim setup with one original tank of new tilapia and an original section of NFT (nutrient film technique) trays connected to a system of Dutch buckets. Some of our produce has been donated to our local food pantry, sold to visitors, and served at our events. We are currently applying for grants to rebuild and modernize our system to include automation and vertical design components to increase accessibility for students. We plan to update and create aquaponics curriculum in inquiry- and project-based learning designs to introduce and immerse Pre-K to Grade 12 learners in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Students will learn about finfish and plant husbandry and the benefits of aquaponics farming.