Educational Programs for Students - Independence Seaport Museum

Student Programs

Learn about the region’s rich maritime heritage at Independence Seaport Museum, located on Philadelphia’s historic waterfront. 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 galleries experience, 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 various lessons meet 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!

Special Limited Availability Lesson

The Art of the Boat
Grades 2-6
Offered in conjunction with our current exhibit, The Art of the Boat – Photographs by Morris Rosenfeld & Sons.
Tour the exhibit of vintage yachting photographs, which powerfully captures the relationship between man, boat, and the sea. View boats in a whole new way through the art of photography and the art of the boat. Create your own craft inspired by the Rosenfeld photographs.
November 2007-April 2008; special pricing applies.
Download the Teacher Activity Packet for the 'Art of the Boat' lesson »
Visit our Art of the Boat page for more information on this exhibit »

Standard Lessons

Sailor For A Day
Grades Pre-K & K
Ahoy, matey! Ever wonder what a sailor's life is like? With a focus on imagination and problem solving, explore questions such as "Where would I go?" and "What would I bring with me?" Tour the Museum and make a paper sailboat to take home.

Little Skippers
Grades 1-3
Enjoy an interactive lesson about shipboard life, delve into the mysteries of how boats work, and then climb aboard the steel Cruiser Olympia for a little skipper's tour.
Download the Teacher Activity Packet for the 'Little Skippers' lesson »

What Floats Your Boat?
Grades 4-6
Investigate the science, art, and history of boat building in the hands-on exhibit, What Floats Your Boat? Test boat building theories in our four-station experience: design a boat plan, build a boat frame, plank a wooden boat, and climb in a 22-foot wooden boat. Vist the Museum's working wooden boat shop and get a close-up of big ship architecture on the historic Cruiser Olympia.
Download the Teacher Activity Packet for the 'What Floats Your Boat?' lesson »

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

R.A.D. – River Adventure on the Delaware!
Grades 4-8
Climb the gangplank of a working tall ship for a voyage of environmental discovery. During this daylong science program, get an up-close look at the health of the Delaware River, experience an incredible sail on a tall ship, and participate in Museum activities that include an ecology walking tour and lesson.
($30/person; minimum of 35 people required. Available fall & spring.)
Please call 215.413.8630 to receive the RAD Teacher Activity Packet.

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 comprehsnive 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.)

Urban Ecology
Grades 4-8
How clean is the Delaware River? Find out by performing an official 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 – examine this facet of the City's history through the eyes of a 19th century immigrant. Hear about the long voyages aboard the three ship lines that brought immigrants to Philadelphia, then board the USS 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. Program includes tours of the Olympia and the Becuna. Our most popular program!
Download the Teacher Activity Packet for the 'Pirates & Sea Warfare' lesson »

Whales & Whalers
Grades 6-12
Whales are one of the largest living creatures in the ocean and have fascinated man for centuries. Learn all about these massive, social beasts -- their physical attributes, intelligence, ocean migration patterns, and why some are so sought by whalers.
Download the Teacher Activity Packet for the 'Whales & Whalers' lesson »

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