Educators are forever on the lookout for ways to bring the world into their classroom. Or, in some cases, they’re looking for ways to get their classrooms out into the world.

This year, a group of Gordon Elementary teachers went out on the quest for field trip possibilities that would work hand-in-hand with their science curriculum.

It was off to Cowling Creek, the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, Fish Park and the Hansville Wildlife Preserve — each of which offer plentiful opportunities for students to get dirty, have fun, and learn interesting facts with which to drive their parents crazy at the dinner table.

Conspicuously absent from that road trip was Poulsbo’s Marine Science Center, also known as home to Sam the Octupus.

Why?

Blame it on Ben Franklin, as in the Marine Science Center just doesn’t have enough of him, for an educational program.

The Marine Science Center’s financial woes are well documented. In June, the latest word was that an expected $100,000 boost from the legislative budget was axed at the 12th hour — thank you, Gov. Christine Gregoire — leaving the center with empty pockets, a broken heart and a deflated sense of purpose.

Money from that cold-hearted budget cut would have been used to develop a comprehensive science curriculum involving teachers and students of all ages. When the money didn’t come through, it set the wheels in motion.

The center’s staunchest (and most invisible, unless he chooses otherwise) supporter, Bruce Harlow, got an idea so crazy that it just might work. Or at least he began advocating it in a very behind-the-scenes manner.

We’ll come back to that in a minute.

In the meanwhile, a very public entity — the Port of Poulsbo — also is having issues of the financial nature. The port is in desperate need of replacing its breakwater. The breakwater is the floating structure that catches the waves and calms the water near where the boats are moored. Again, it’s all about the Benjamins.

Now, back to Harlow and his crazy idea.

It’s based on one premise: There’s power in numbers. And in this case, the idea is brought to you by the No. 2. As in two entities in need of cash working together for the public’s common good.

Here’s the aforementioned idea: The Port of Poulsbo could annex some land, thereby increasing its tax base. The Marine Science Center Foundation would work to support the annexation if and only when the Port of Poulsbo would agree to fund the center’s educational needs. The port would also purchase the building, and support the center through bonds and other public funding magic. The proposed split of funds on the hypothetical partnership is 80 for the port, 20 for the center.

The catch: If the port were to “annex some land,” that would mean a slightly higher tax bill for those residents being annexed in.

The port has asked Harlow to assess the public’s view on this question: Would you be willing to support the Port of Poulsbo’s expansion if part of the money raised would benefit the Marine Science Center?

So, the question is open to you, Herald readers.

Let the discussion begin. To answer the question, go to www.northkitsapherald.com, click on “Opinion” and gauge in on our question of the week.