A three-year grant totaling almost $250,000 will support education center at the museum including the program “MUDDY FEET” – short for Maritime Unbounded Damp and Dirty Yucky Fun Environmental Education and Training.

Last year, more than 1,850 students were served by the center, and the goal over the next three years is to serve about 7,000. These programs are free for public school, but another program called Maritime Explorers for private schools, charges a fee.

Currently serving eight elementary schools, the two middle schools and Annapolis High School, the new money means the programs may be expanded countywide.

Other programs include Little Nippers – not short for anything we know of – offered to public schools with Pre-K classes to programs designed specifically for the high school.

Continuing education grants especially in a maritime environment of Annapolis is increasingly important, especially in an increasingly austere environment.