The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk announced it won the Association of Zoos & Aquarium’s (AZA) highest Education Award for its Maritime Summer Academy, a summer school program developed in partnership with Norwalk Public Schools, at the association’s annual conference in Columbus, Ohio.
With the overarching goal of leveraging the motivating power of live animals and the Aquarium’s unique resources to provide highly engaging and authentic learning opportunities, the program has transformed the perception of summer school in the community. This award recognizes its innovative design and its ability to promote conservation knowledge, attitudes, and behavior.
During the five-week program, students engage in a variety of activities, including animal encounters and trips aboard the Aquarium’s research vessel. Classroom math and literacy activities expand on conservation themes, and students are encouraged to learn more about what interests them through hands-on, project-based learning. The summer culminates with a night at the Aquarium for the students to share what they learned with their families.
Norwalk Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alexandra Estrella said, “The collaboration with The Maritime Aquarium has been instrumental in reshaping our Summer Academy, turning it into a dynamic and immersive learning experience that goes beyond traditional summer schooling, ultimately enhancing the educational journey for our scholars.”
The Maritime Summer Academy was funded in part by Connecticut State Department of Education grants of $244,180 in 2021 and $224,879 in 2022.
