🤖 Robots on the Move!

We hosted 27 teams from 9 Maine schools last Saturday at Maine Maritime Academy for our VEX V5 “Push Back” robotics competition — and what a showdown! After a day of tight matches, the Tournament Champions were revealed: the Snugglemuffins from John Bapst ...High School, who brought their A-game (and some serious robot swagger).

Huge congratulations to all the teams for their creativity, teamwork, and passion for engineering. Thanks to everyone who came out, cheered, and supported these amazing young innovators.

#mainemaritime #VEXRobotics #RoboticsCompetition #STEM #PushBack2025

Robotics in Action at MMA!

On Saturday, November 15, Maine Maritime Academy will host a VEX V5 Robotics Competition in the Field House! Thirty teams from across Maine will put their engineering and programming skills to the test as their robots face off in a series of fast-paced ...challenges.

📅 Competition Rounds: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
🏆 Finals: 4:00 PM
📍 MMA Field House
🎟️ Open to the public

The VEX V5 Robotics Competition, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, is the world’s largest and fastest-growing middle and high school robotics program—with over 20,000 teams from 50 countries competing each year.

Come watch the next generation of innovators in action and experience the excitement of STEM in motion!

#mainemaritime #Robotics #VEXRobotics #STEM #Engineering #FutureMariner

🎖️ Honoring Service. Preserving Freedom.

This morning, Maine Maritime Academy gathered to recognize and thank those who have served our nation. In his remarks, Capt. Justin Cooper reminded us that “service is a lifelong commitment to something greater than ourselves.”

...From those who wore the uniform to those who continue to serve as mentors, first responders, and leaders in our communities—your courage, compassion, and dedication inspire us all.

To every veteran on our campus, in our community, and beyond: thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your example. 🇺🇸

#VeteransDay #mainemaritime #ThankYouVeterans #ServiceToOurNation

On Saturday, November 8, more than 70 prospective students and their families took a deep dive into Maine Maritime Academy’s academic programs during our Academic Focus Open House. ⚓️

They explored our labs, simulators, and training vessels; met with faculty, staff, and current ...students; and gained firsthand insight into all that MMA has to offer.

Our open houses are a great opportunity to visit campus, experience our hands-on learning environment, and discover why Maine Maritime Academy may be the perfect fit for your future.

Our next Open House is scheduled for April 4, 2026 — we hope to see you there!

Thank you to everyone who joined us last weekend. We can’t wait to see where your course leads next! 🌊

#MaineMaritimeAcademy #FutureMariners #OpenHouse #HandsOnLearning #MaritimeEducation

🎯 This fall, the team at Maine Maritime Academy delivered powerful One Love Foundation “Behind the Post” workshops to students across campus. Starting in August, pre-RPT trainings with Midshipmen Training Officers and Residential Assistants reached 120 students, and in October—during ...Domestic Violence Awareness Month—additional sessions with 4th, 3rd, and 2nd Class Midshipmen engaged another 540 students in meaningful discussions.

These interactive trainings challenged students to reflect on healthy relationships, recognize unhealthy behaviors, and commit to taking care of one another as shipmates and community members.

The One Love Foundation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to ending relationship abuse by empowering young people with the knowledge to recognize and build healthy relationships.

#mainemaritime #OneLove #Shipmates #HealthyRelationships #CommunityCare #Leadership

Maine Maritime Academy Honored by NAMEPA!

On October 30, 2025, Maine Maritime Academy was recognized by the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) with the Maritime Academies, Harbor Schools & Universities Award for our leadership in integrating environmental... responsibility into maritime education.

The award was presented during the annual NAMEPA Conference, which aimed to “explore what’s next for maritime, and celebrate those leading the way in environmental protection, collaboration, and workforce development.”

At MMA, our Ocean Studies programs exemplify this commitment. Curricula incorporate cutting-edge technologies and laboratory-based methods to detect environmental impairment and support restoration efforts. Students learn to use environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques to monitor invasive species like the shore crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus), track protected species such as the Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus), and identify sources of nutrient pollution in local watersheds.

MMA also offers a hands-on Marine Pollution elective, including beach clean-ups and marine debris data collection, while faculty engage in research and restoration projects that directly benefit coastal and marine environments.

We are proud to join this year’s inspiring honorees and congratulate all award recipients for advancing a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable maritime future.

MMA remains dedicated to preparing the next generation of maritime professionals to lead with innovation, integrity, and environmental stewardship.

#mainemaritime #NAMEPA #Sustainability #OceanStudies #MarineEducation #MarineEnvironmentProtection #Leadership #Innovation

🎃 Halloween fun in Castine! 👻

Maine Maritime Academy students joined the Town of Castine’s annual Trunk or Treat celebration — decorating trunks, showing off their creative costumes, and having a blast with local kids! 🍬

A few students even teamed up with members of ...the Castine Selectboard to judge the pumpkin carving and costume contests. 🎭✨

#MaineMaritime #TrunkOrTreat #CastineCommunity #HalloweenFun

MMA Nuclear Working Group Lecture Series Spotlight

Yesterday, the MMA Nuclear Working Group hosted Amanda Anderson, Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Specialist with the U.S. Department of Energy, for an insightful talk on “Radioactivity and Nuclear Sources in the Arctic”.
...
Ms. Anderson offered a balanced analysis of the economic and technological benefits of commercial shipping in the Arctic, juxtaposed with the lessons learned from the legacy of nuclear waste in the region during the Cold War. Her expertise drew faculty and students from across MMA’s academic departments, highlighting how nuclear energy intersects with marine engineering, naval architecture, and Arctic maritime operations.

The discussion emphasized the logistics of ports servicing nuclear-powered vessels, geo-economics of the emerging Arctic industry, and environmental stewardship, including carbon-free energy potential and nuclear waste minimization.

MMA is playing a lead role in developing a U.S. Coast Guard license track for Third Assistant Engineers and Chief Mates on future nuclear-powered vessels, positioning students at the forefront of this emerging industry.

Amanda Anderson’s global expertise, including her roles with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Arctic Council, underscores the importance of nuclear knowledge in shaping safe, sustainable maritime futures.

#MMANuclear #NuclearEngineering #ArcticMaritime #Sustainability #DOE #MaineMaritime