Bringing Marine Advocacy into High School Curriculum

By Ciara Lyver - New York Harbor School Senior and student of the Marine Affairs Career & Technical Education (CTE) program.

Ciara Lyver (left) testifying before the New York City Council on 9/22 for a push to provide free transportation for public school students on NYC Ferry during the school day, as MTA subways and buses provide.

Here at the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, the Marine Affairs and Political Advocacy Program — the most recent addition to the school’s seven total Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses — received its state certification last October. This CTE teaches the backbone of Marine Politics, from maritime trading to developments in industry sustainability. Like the other six CTE programs, 10-12th grade students are contributing to an active field while still in high school through a curriculum based in real-world examples and problems, seeking solutions.

Every day, students live to spread the word on environmental health, while reflecting on coastal management in the classroom. The program allows students to weigh the cost and effect of actions on the waterfront when main legislators, stakeholders, and policy makers are acting on the outcome. Whether in the classroom or not, these critical thinking skills are held on to throughout students daily lives.

“I often think about my past self and compare it to my present self on how I give more to the environment and my community. Learning about real issues happening in real time really wakes you up and it makes me feel more important to know I'm a part of the change” Says Liana Grace Martin Peterson, a current senior in the Marine Policy Program. 

With an abundance of field work, these students are collecting real information on who and what goes in and out of New York City's waterways… and there’s a lot more activity than you’d think.

From trips to shipping terminals across the boroughs to just outside the Harbor School, located on Governors Island, the hands-on experience available within the Harbor leaves an impact on participating students. Real-world issues are so accessible for students in this program to interact with, like the ability to speak to the New York City Council on current issues every few months.

The next generation of leaders, problem solvers, and advocates the management of marine spaces are instructed by Harbor School teacher Robert Markuske - a well involved leader in environmental organizations who is constantly advocating for sustainable policies in the industry. Enthusiastic about his work, his mission to teach and guide students through the years is not just a paying job but instead his dream - making him a perfect fit for engaging students and young people in thoughtful, political advocacy.

This upcoming year, the newly certified and improved program will blazon their work around New York Harbor School and the city - acquiring new students and encouraging them to participating in problem solving extracurricular activities like Gardening Club and Compost Club - Marine Affairs-driven, waste mitigation projects that work in tandem to turn the school’s food scraps into viable soil and beautify the campus.

The graduates of this CTE program have both carried on and expanded their involvement in policy, majoring in policy and advocacy-related studies and continuing their volunteer work on Governors Island. All this goes to show how bonds between a student, their program and their school can outlive their studies with hands-on learning and real-world experiences.

“I want to continue my engagement with marine affairs when I graduate. I've enjoyed my past year and am excited to see what my next two years bring.” Says Lina Lajqi, Class of 2024.

While it sounds like so much has been accomplished in the program’s first certified year, this is just the beginning. Learn more about the marine affairs program and visit the New York Harbor School website for more information marine CTE Programs for NYC public school students.