BLOOM Educators Program

Professional Development for Maine Educators

Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is expanding the reach of the Keller BLOOM Program by offering professional development workshops for Maine middle and high school science teachers interested in collaborating with Bigelow Laboratory scientists to enhance ocean science education in the state. These four-day summer workshops, led by Dr. David Fields and Dr. Nicole Poulton, provide teachers with training, tools and hands-on research experience so that they are better equipped to teach ocean science in their classrooms.

Educators attending a workshop learn how to teach fundamentals of ocean science in a local and global context. Topics covered include the history of oceanography, the ocean’s biological pump, primary productivity and climate change.

Participants spend a day in the field on a research cruise, attend seminars by Bigelow scientists and engage in hands-on laboratory learning activities. All attendees receive curriculum materials, aquatic field sampling and laboratory equipment, and follow-up academic year support, as well as 3 Continuing Education Units.

Register for 2025 Workshop

The 2025, “Exploring Oceanography” Professional Development Workshop will take place August 5-8, 2025, at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. Participation is for all MAINE high school, middle school, and informal science teachers. Registration and a $100 deposit are required to secure your spot in the program. Housing near the Lab, a transportation reimbursement, and most meals are provided.

Want to get paid to test our new ocean science curriculum? We’re looking for teachers to pilot the ocean science lessons that accompany your field and lab kits. With support from Maine Sea Grant, participants will receive a $300 stipend when they use some or all of the lessons and provide feedback during the following academic year. Let us know if you’re interested in the registration form.

TO REGISTER, please complete the following form. The number of workshop participants is limited to 10 teachers; all additional registrants will be placed on a waiting list.

Workshop Feedback

"Thank you for one of the best science professional development (PD) activities I've had in a long time. Everyone was interesting and enthusiastic about their research. Everything was well organized. It was PD done WITH us, not just given TO us, and it includes an on-going piece which is very important for the program's success. With much appreciation, thank you!"

"One of my favorite workshops as it provided time to interact with scientists regarding subject matter understanding and authentic scientific work."

"The day out on the boat, collecting data and then analyzing it back at the lab were excellent -- we were given the opportunity to do the science ourselves (practice and learn), which in turn will make it more transferable to our students."

For more information, please email bloomeducators@bigelow.org.