Update from October 31st–January 29th (Quarter 2)
By Nalani O’Brien, Maritime Education Instructor
Our students are fully immersed in their maritime studies as we pass the halfway point of the school year, and the momentum across all grade levels continues to grow.
Important Dates:
- Pathway selection and 2026–27 program updates information session: January 28, 5:30–7 PM, online.
- Spring Community Learning Showcase: Feb 21, 2026 4 PM-6 PM
9th Grade: Building Maritime Foundations
Students are diving headfirst into the world of maritime. This past quarter, they completed the Washington State Adventures in Boating course, building foundational knowledge around boating safety and responsibility on the water.
Looking ahead: in Quarter 3, ninth graders will enter the shop for an exciting, hands-on project working collaboratively to design and build floating wetlands that will ultimately be placed in the Duwamish River.
Pictured above are a few of our 9th graders proudly showing off their WA Adventures in Boating certificates!
10th Grade: Career Discovery & Pathway Preparation
Students have been busy both in the shop and out in the community. They have been visiting local maritime businesses to explore careers across the industry and to inform their upcoming pathway selection next month. A highlight of the quarter was a day aboard the Washington State Ferry Kittitas, where students explored both the engine room and the wheelhouse, gaining real-world insight into vessel operations from local maritime professionals. In the shop, 10th graders have been designing and building model boats, testing their buoyancy and speed, and refining their designs through hands-on experimentation. This work has been supported by our industry partners at Glosten Inc., a naval architecture and marine engineering firm, which has given students direct exposure to professional maritime engineering practices.
Looking ahead: 10th graders will soon select the specialized maritime pathway they will pursue in 11th and 12th grade.
Pictured above are our 10th-grade students hard at work in the shop, working on their model boats.
11th and 12th-grade Pathways: Continuing to make impressive strides
Vessel Operations:
Both 11th and 12th-grade students are hard at work in their classes at Seattle Maritime Academy (SMA). 11th graders are preparing to begin submitting their applications for their Merchant Mariner Credentials, a major milestone and an exciting step forward in their maritime careers. 12th graders are tackling their most rigorous quarter yet, spending four days a week on the SMA campus and taking advanced coursework such as Advanced Diesels and Applied Marine Electricity.
Marine Science:
Students in 11th and 12th grade have been collaborating with Dr. Rosalind to design interactive games and board games aimed at educating community members about local biodiversity and pollution, blending science, communication, and civic engagement.
Marine Construction:
Students continue their hands-on training at Vigor, strengthening their welding skills each day as they work toward earning industry-recognized welding certifications.
The journey continues!
Overall, our students are deeply engaged in their maritime education learning in classrooms, shops, on vessels, and in the community. As we move through the second half of the school year, it’s clear that our students’ hard work, curiosity, and commitment are setting them up for continued growth. It’s only up from here
Pictured above are students focused on their lecture at Seattle Maritime Academy
