Educational Programs for Students - Independence Seaport Museum

Student Programs

Learn about the region’s rich maritime heritage at Independence Seaport Museum, located on the Delaware River just a short walk from the Liberty Bell. Wander through galleries highlighting immigration, underwater exploration, and sea commerce; examine nautical art, artifacts, and intricate ship models; watch craftsmen building wooden boats; and explore the mighty Spanish-American War Cruiser Olympia, and the World War II Submarine Becuna – both National Historic Landmarks.

All programs are led by educators and include a classroom lesson, hands-on activity, Museum galleries exploration, and tours of the Olympia and the Becuna (unless otherwise noted).

Download the Teacher Activity Packet for visiting Independence Seaport Museum »
(See below for lesson-specific teacher activity packets)

The lessons meet various Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware curriculum standards for Ecology; Geography; History; Math; Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening; and Science and Technology.

Call or email Group Sales Department at 215.413.8630 or groupsales@phillyseaport.org today to reserve your program!

THREE NEW AFRICAN-AMERICAN MARITIME LESSONS

Sail Maker James Forten
Grades 4-12
Learn about African-American sail maker James Forten, and how he prospered in Philadelphia's maritime world, and make your initials in maritime signal flags.

Ship Caulker Frederick Douglass
Grades4-12
Frederick Douglass was hired out to a Baltimore shipbuilder to learn the trade of ship's caulker. He escaped slavery disguised as a sailor and became one of America's greatest statesmen and orators. Try your hand at ship caulking.

Ship Owner Paul Cuffe
Grades 4-12
Discover how black Quaker ship owner and captain Paul Cuffe used profits from his maritime ventures to fight slavery, then make your own navigational sextant.

GENERAL SEAPORT LESSONS

Little Skipper
Grades Pre-K-3
Ahoy, matey! Enjoy an iinteractive lesson about shipboard life, delve into the mysteries of how boats work, and make a paper sailboat to take home. (includes tour of Olympia, not Becuna).
Download the Teacher Activity Packet for the 'Little Skippers' lesson »

What Floats Your Boat?
Grades 4-6
Learn the intricacies of colonial shipbuilding -- the materials, the tools, the workers -- then explore the interactive What Floats Your Boat? exhibit and working wooden boat shop.
Download the Teacher Activity Packet for the 'What Floats Your Boat?' lesson »

Early Explorers
Grades 4-8
Early European explorers used ancient navigation tools to find their way across the ocean to the New World in search of trading treasures such as lumber and furs. Learn about their lives at sea – what they wore, how they survived, and their ships and tools.
Download the Teacher Activity Packet for the 'Early Explorers' lesson »

Urban Ecology
Grades 4-8
How clean is the Delaware River? Find out by performing a water test, then take on the role of an environmental engineer to create a plan to protect the Delaware from future pollution and keep it clean and useable for everyone.
Download the Teacher Activity Packet for the 'Urban Ecology' lesson »

Immigration
Grades 4-12
Philadelphia is the fourth largest immigration port in the nation. Hear about the ships that brought immigrants here -- galleons, packets and steamers, then tour the Olympia to learn about the immigrants who worked aboard this steel warship.
Download the Teacher Activity Packet for the 'Immigration' lesson »

Pirates & Sea Warfare
Grades 4-12
This high-energy lesson explores the chills and thrills of the pirates who terrorized the high seas. Our most popular program!
Download the Teacher Activity Packet for the 'Pirates & Sea Warfare' lesson »

Clipper Ships & the China Trade
Grades 4-12
Discover the fascinating clipper ships thta sailed between Canton, China, and Philadelphia during the 1800s, the height of the clipper ship era.

A Whale's Tale
Grades 6-12
The trade of 19th century whaling -- the whale, the tools, the conflict.
Download the Teacher Activity Packet for 'A Whale's Tale' lesson »

SPECIAL FULL DAY PROGRAM

Ready, Set, Sail!
Grades 4-8
Conduct water testing, learn the role of a ballast tank, participate in the Early Explorers lesson, and visit the What Floats Your Boat? exhibit in this four-part history and science lesson about the early ships of exploration. Gain a comprehensive overview of water's importance to us all.
Download the Teacher Activity Packet for the 'Ready, Set, Sail!' lesson »
(Special pricing applies; miminum of 80 students required.)

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