Maritime Aquarium hosts family night to showcase summer academy student projects

the maritime aquarium, norwalk, connecticut

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk will host nearly 500 students and their families on Thursday, July 30, for the annual Maritime Summer Academy Family Night. The after-hours celebration serves as a showcase for marine science projects completed during the district’s summer school session.

The event marks the end of the four-week Maritime Summer Academy, a joint initiative between The Maritime Aquarium and Norwalk Public Schools. The program integrates marine science, literacy, math, and environmental exploration for students across 13 elementary schools and five middle schools in Norwalk.

Students qualify for the program based on academic assessments indicating a need for additional educational support and enrichment. Launched in 2021, the academy incorporates aquarium visits, classroom visits from educators, and research cruises on Norwalk Harbor into its daily curriculum.

During Family Night, participating students will display models, artwork, informational exhibits, and conservation messages focused on specific marine themes throughout the aquarium. Grade-level topics for this year include turtles for kindergarten, horseshoe crabs for first grade, seals for second grade, sharks for third grade, and jellies and plankton for fourth grade.

Tom Naiman, vice president of education at The Maritime Aquarium, noted that the initiative works to transform summer learning for 800 to 1,000 eligible Norwalk students each year. He described the showcase event as an occasion where students present their achievements to their families.

The program was originally conceived under former Norwalk Public Schools Superintendent Alexandra Estrella to provide hands-on alternatives to traditional summer school. In 2023, the Maritime Summer Academy received the highest education award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

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Maritime Aquarium hosts family night to showcase summer academy student projects