About the NESS SEA Americorps Program at TRMS

The NESS SEA (STEM Education Ambassador) AmeriCorps Program uses national service to engage the students in STEM-based ocean adventure learning.

NESS's mission is to empower students with a love of learning through ocean-based experiential programs that serve schools, teachers, and families. Through a combination of grade level appropriate Classroom Expeditions, GrotonField Expeditions, and NESS Field Expeditions students are encocuraged to become part of a community of ocean adventure learning that builds excitement and enjoyment around learning.

NESS programs have also been developed with the school science curriculum in mind to make the learning relevant and meaningful, while supporting our classroom teachers.

NESS SEA AmeriCorps Members serve to:

• Actively ENGAGE students to learn by seeing and doing.
• CREATE innovative STEM curriculum through collaboration with teachers.
• PROVIDE student support through tutoring and mentoring.
• EMPOWER students to discover their personal best by facing new challenges.
• SHARE enjoyment of the sea and teach its science with students from all backgrounds.
• ENCOURAGE students to respect and preserve their natural environment and community

In addition to the classroom and field expeditions, NESS also provides daily classroom support for students in the schools, as well as summer programs. The NESS SEAAmeriCorps members work with staff and teachers in the school system best serve theneeds of the community, while providing a positive role-model for the students. Members mentor students and encourage students to set goals, work as a team, communicate effectively, rely on themselves, be leaders, and motivate themselves and their peers. Members model positive self-esteem and self-confidence and encourage students to trynew things, learn sailing and small boat handling skills, aspire for college and a career, havepride in work, value learning and education, and have positive feelings about themselves.

The NESS SEA AmeriCorps program is a proud member of the AmeriCorps National Service Network. The program is supported by the Connecticut Commission on Community Service, a partnership between the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Connecticut Department of Higher Education.

All NESS programs are fueled by NESS’s four core values of inclusiveness, experiential learning, personal growth, and stewardship, and will allow students to gain not just STEM-based knowledge and understanding, but also develop important socio-emotional skillssuch as self-control, communication, confidence, perseverance, and teamwork. Programs are aligned with grade level appropriate STEM curriculum, Next Generation Science Standards, and the Ocean Literacy Principles.
 

Check out the NESS SEA Americorps Facebook Page!

Project Oceanology and TRMS

The Marine Educators at Project Oceanology are partnering with the teachers at Thames River Magnet School for an exciting new program full of hands-on, STEM-focused learning experiences.