The Currents of Change

Two educators, Kristen Wurth and Sophia Manning, were both 6th-grade science teachers at Biddeford Middle School when they teamed up on a bold mission: to revamp their science units with a powerful focus on climate change. Driven by the urgency of the topic, they applied for a planning grant that would open doors to these essential lessons. But just as their vision started gaining momentum, the tides shifted. Kristen stayed on at Biddeford, while Sophia moved to Massabesic Middle, both advancing to teach 7th grade. Separate but united by a shared curriculum, they vowed to continue collaborating to bring climate science to life for their students.

Their first endeavor was a Beach Exploration Field Trip, an eye-opening adventure for students who, despite living near the coast, had never set foot on a beach. Excited yet unprepared for what lay ahead, the students arrived at the shore, where they discovered the Rocky Intertidal Zone—a world alive with the bustling of marine life. The group learned about the delicate balance of this ecosystem and the quiet invasion of harmful pollutants and invasive species that threatened it. Equipped with scientific gear and determination, they worked with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, pulling invasive crabs from the waters and realizing the tangible impact they could make.

The journey continued with the Boothbay Sea and Science Kelp Project, an adventure that took students even deeper into the realm of aquaculture. Until now, many of them hadn’t even heard of kelp, let alone considered it as a vital environmental and economic resource. They marveled at this mysterious plant that thrived under the sea, purifying water and sustaining marine life. And when they learned it was edible, their excitement turned to fascination! Students considered, perhaps for the first time, how sea plants like kelp could feed both people and ecosystems.

Over the next two years, close to 300 students became part of this movement. Some started tracking marine debris with the National Geographic Marine Debris Tracker App, discovering litter in their neighborhoods and becoming local champions for recycling. Others dreamed up ways to grow their own kelp, bringing stories of their newfound knowledge home to families.

Kristen and Sophia couldn’t have been prouder. These weren’t just projects—they were real-world missions that turned their students into guardians of their own coastal backyard. They watched as they developed not only a passion for science but a genuine commitment to protecting their environment. The lessons were no longer confined to facts in a textbook. Each step brought them closer to becoming stewards of the coast, and each discovery sparked the possibility that one day, they would become leaders in the fight to protect their coastal communities..