Maine Maritime Museum is introducing an Alternative Expeditionary Learning Semester, a semester-long, in-person educational experience for middles school students this fall on the museum’s campus.

Open to rising sixth and seventh-graders, the interdisciplinary program will be limited to a pod of 15 students. The curriculum, developed with a Maine state-certified teacher, follows state standards in math, science, ELA and social studies. This special semester will foster pride of place with a focus on maritime history and culture, arts, and traditional shipyard skills as students cover the core subjects in a distinctly maritime setting.

A news release announcing the program states: “With an emphasis on outdoor education and experiential learning, this program will provide one-of-a-kind learning opportunities that leverage the museum’s unique resources – from exploring the vibrant ecosystem of Merrymeeting Bay by boat to witnessing Newton’s laws of motion in action while learning woodworking in the Boatshop.”

Alternative Expeditionary Learning Semester will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, from Sept. 8 to Dec. Tuition is $5,000; scholarship applications are available.

For more information, visit MaineMaritimeMuseum.org/learn or email education@maritimeme.org. This program is contingent on meeting minimum enrollment, and will be filled on a first-come basis through Aug. 20.