New classroom resources will be available to Nova Scotia high school teachers starting this fall that introduces students to the seafood industry and the diverse career opportunities connected to it.
The Coast to Classroom program was announced by Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Kent Smith on June 2 at Shelburne Regional High School (SRHS), where program resources have been incorporated into a pilot program, Local Industries 11, the last school year.
“Programs like Coast to Classroom help youth explore opportunities in our seafood sector. They build skills, introduce students to career paths and deepen understanding of the important role coastal communities play in our province,” said Minister Smith. “With so many people in this region working in the seafood industry, this program makes good sense for the students and for local communities.”
Coast to Classroom gives teachers ready-to-use resources for grades 7 to 12 that can be used across more than 100 courses in the public school system. The materials support curriculum outcomes through lesson plans, activities and virtual tools. They help students learn about Nova Scotia’s coastal resources, marine ecosystems, sustainable seafood practices and the many careers connected to fisheries and aquaculture, from harvesting and processing to ocean technology and related fields. For example, students might take part in a virtual field trip to an aquaculture or seafood processing facility, or use classroom activities to explore how seafood moves from harvest to market.
“Our ocean environment has always shaped Nova Scotia’s communities, economy and way of life. Coast to Classroom helps students better understand the opportunities connected to our oceans and coastal industries, while encouraging the next generation to explore rewarding careers in sectors that are so important to our province’s future,” said Nolan Young, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration.
Coast to Classroom was developed in co-operation with the Centre for Marine Applied Research.
The Local Industries 11 — a new program piloted this school year at the three high schools in Shelburne County — was developed by SRHS teacher Les Goulden, and Phoebe Cameron, Vice-Principal, Barrington Municipal High School, in cooperation with the Department of Education.
“When planning the Local Industries 11 course, we wanted most to pay homage to our fishers and their tremendous contribution to our communities and culture. We felt it necessary to have an academic course that focused on the exploration of our local lobster fishery, offering our students and community an opportunity to link local industry, socioeconomic culture and tradition to formal education. This primary industry is generational, fosters secondary and service industries, and makes educating our future marine industry workforce a top priority,” said the two educators.
Local Industries 11 will continue to be offered this fall at the three Shelburne County high schools, which also includes one in Lockeport.
“Local Industries 11 is a great example of how Nova Scotia educators are creating meaningful learning opportunities that connect students to their communities. Developed by our very own Shelburne Regional High teachers, the course helps students explore the industries that shape our coastal communities and get excited about local career opportunities. Now strengthened by Coast to Classroom, we’re connecting classroom learning to real-world experiences and helping students see the many pathways available to them right here at home,” said Brendan Maguire, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development.
Nova Scotia’s seafood sector directly employs almost 19,000 people in rural and coastal communities across the province. In 2025, Nova Scotia seafood exports were valued at about $2.2 billion.
