The MARE supplementary curriculum focuses each grade level on a different ocean habitat. The curriculum is aligned with and supports Project 2061 Benchmarks for Science Literacy and the NRC National Standards for Science Education. The curriculum for grade K-1 is available in English and Spanish. Grade 2 will be available in Spanish soon. Individual teachers at MARE schools use the thematic curriculum at their own speed throughout the year as a vehicle for coordinating and weaving together all of their science instruction.
Students take field trips and work together on special class, cross grade and whole-school projects.
Expert guest speakers visit the school, murals go up, parents flood in to observe the excitement and end up helping in new and unprecedented ways. Janitors, school secretaries, art teachers, and cafeteria crew all suddenly become science teachers because of their experiences and special perspectives. Special populations are main streamed, the bell schedule is changed to accommodate longer, in depth projects. Ocean week can be characterized as a positive disruption at schools, that overcomes the normal constraints faced by teachers. In return, the leadership team must provide two in-services for their staff to turn key the program to the school staff.