Grit + Sandpaper

A group of industrious sixth graders are spending two afternoons each week building their own model wooden sailboats and learning about STEM-related industries thanks to a Prepare RI Grant that connects Cuffee’s marine-themed academic curriculum and career exploration initiatives with the RI Marine Trades Association and Herreshoff Marine Museum. Leading the after school pilot program are Cuffee’s science teacher, Brian Weigand, and Kirk Cusic, who is the Education Director of Herreshoff/America’s Cup Hall of Fame in Bristol. The students are loving this hands-on learning experience and are hopeful it will be offered again next year so that more of their Cuffee friends can take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!