Junior Achievement is excited to mark a major milestone in the growth of JA Maritime – the pilot implementation of our K–5 maritime curriculum.
This initial pilot is taking place across multiple Junior Achievement areas, including JA Southwest New England (Connecticut), JA Rhode Island, JA of Greater New Orleans, JA of Alabama, and JA of South Central Pennsylvania – bringing this maritime-centered learning experience to classrooms located in key submarine industrial base regions across the country.
These regions play an important role in supporting the nation’s maritime and defense industries through shipbuilding, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, and skilled trades. By introducing students to these
industries early, JA Maritime is helping build awareness of career opportunities within their own communities and beyond.
Designed as a first-of-its-kind curriculum, the K–5 experience introduces elementary students to maritime careers and advanced manufacturing in an engaging and age-appropriate way. Through interactive lessons and activities, students explore concepts such as teamwork, innovation, problem-solving, supply chains, interconnected systems, work ethic, and precision – all through the lens of submarine design and maritime careers.
Early exposure is critical. Today’s second graders will enter the workforce in approximately 10 years. Introducing career awareness at the elementary level helps students connect classroom learning to future
opportunities long before they begin selecting courses, pathways, or postsecondary options. It also helps students better understand the relevance of what they are learning and supports more informed decisions about their futures over time.
In addition to career awareness, the curriculum supports core competencies critical to both early childhood development and long-term success. Lessons encourage teamwork, communication, creativity, critical
thinking, adaptability, and problem-solving – helping students build lifelong skills that support academic achievement and career readiness.
Lessons are hands-on, interactive, and flexible – designed for classroom, after-school, and community-based learning opportunities. Whether facilitated by educators or supported by industry volunteers, the goal remains the same: connect students to careers they may not have otherwise imagined.
A key differentiator of JA Maritime is the direct connection between education and industry. Through volunteer engagement and career-connected discussions, students gain exposure to real-world pathways tied to maritime, manufacturing, and defense industries that play a major role across many of the pilot regions.
By introducing students to accessible and high-demand careers at an early age, JA Maritime is helping build a more informed, inspired, and prepared future workforce.