Quarterly Update from January 5th-April 4th (Quarter 2 & 3)
9th Grade: As we sail through another exciting quarter, our 9th graders have been diving deep into hands-on learning experiences. 9th grade is gearing up for an exciting boat-building project, putting their skills to the test. Over the next eight weeks, they will build a Goat Island Skiff straight from the blueprints. We’re also thrilled to welcome Admiral Jack back to Seattle soon, who will bring a wealth of on-the-water maritime leadership and experience to share. Finally, a much-anticipated trip to the U.S. Coast Guard will give our ninth-grade students a behind-the-scenes look at marine safety and security careers in Seattle.
10th Grade: The 10th grade recently explored the Port of Seattle’s Maintenance Terminal, gaining insight into the critical work that keeps Seattle’s shoreside maritime operations running smoothly. Students explored six career paths at the maintenance terminal, including welding, painting, and electrician shops. We also visited Western Towboat, where students got a firsthand look at the power and precision behind tug operations and life aboard one of Seattle’s towboats. They even got an in-depth look at the early construction of Western’s newest tug. Additionally, our students have been making important decisions about their futures with their Pathway Selection, setting the course for their specialized maritime education. After all of our exploration of our fieldwork experiences, students chose between vessel operations, marine construction and design, and marine science and research to launch themselves closer to their eleventh and twelfth-grade goals.
11th and 12th Grade: NWM staff has been guiding our Vessel Ops cohort through the process of getting their Merchant Mariner Credentials. So far, they have received their medical certificates and TWIC cards! Once we have gathered all the necessary forms, students will upload their documents to our partnered service, MM-Seas. There, they will compile student documents to send to the Coast Guard! Many of our 11th graders are also taking part in internships with various industry partners. 10 students are currently interning with the Port of Seattle, working on a project putting together a virtual tour/job shadow of Marine Maintenance that will be shared with teachers and other community members wanting to expose students to marine maintenance careers. Another MHS student recently put together a beach cleanup and removed over 100 lbs of waste and debris from Seahurst Beach! Finally, our 12th graders have been hard at work in their launch pathways, where 32 students are taking classes at Seattle Maritime Academy or classes with Highline College. More to come on our 12th graders as we move steadily toward their graduation; we can’t wait to see what they accomplish and where they go next!
The journey continues, and we’re excited about what’s ahead! Stay tuned for more updates as we explore new opportunities together.
The picture above shows 10th-grade students exploring Western Towboat’s newest tug, which is under construction, and the wheelhouse of one of their active vessels.
