The Watermen’s Museum Educational Programs

Program Overview Education is the primary function of every successful museum. It is also a lifelong process and does not end with graduation. Our exhibits are designed to illustrate and explain the importance of the work done by those who work the Chesapeake Bay. They are our most important means of educating our visitors. Adult education programs include lectures, videos, and demonstrations scheduled periodically by the museum. Check the museum schedule for upcoming events of interest to you. Our educational programs begin at the start of each school year. Most programs are half-day.

We are an ideal addition to any school field trip visiting the Historic Triangle area. Schools sometimes request special programs to address the interests of older students, preschoolers or those with special needs. We are happy to work with your school to help teachers find ways to bring their teaching objectives to life. Call Education Director, Mike Steen, at the Museum for more information.

The Watermen’s Museum offers weekend courses for educators and parents that will teach the participants how to conduct environmental and cultural educational programs. As museum volunteers they will help facilitate their schools’ visit to the museum. In turn, their school will receive a discount on the cost of the education program. 

Join the staff of the Museum for an exploration of theshoreline ecosystem of the York River.Students will participate in hands on activities along the shore and learnabout the diverse animals that live in our own backyard.

Orientation and 3 - 20 Minute Stations:

1.  Maps and Orientation

2.    Seining on the beach

3.    Crabbing on the pier

4.     Clamming on the Beach 

Grade level: K - 3

Program Location: Watermen’s Museum

Program Length: 1.5 hours

Program Cost: $3 per participant

What can we do to improve our shared environment, the Chesapeake Bay? Join the museum staff for a hands-onstudy of aquaculture and environmental preservation.

Orientation and 2 - 30 Minute Stations:

1.  Environmental Hypothesis

2.     Oysters and Clams

3.    Due Restoration

Grade level: 4-12 

Program Location: Watermen’s Museum

Program Length: 1.5 hours

Program Cost: $5 per participant

Join the staff of the Watermen’s Museum and the crew of theschooner Alliance as we experience life aboardhistoric ships and explore the underwater world of the Chesapeake Bay. Students will learn how to gather and analyze samples to researchwater quality, environmental conditions, and biodiversity on the peer of theWatermen’s Museum, and then repeat the tests on board of the Schooner Allianceduring a two hour sail on the York River.Students will make and test hypothesis, chart the data gathered, and theirfindings will be submitted to the Chesapeake Bayresource data bank.

Grade level: 4-12

Discount of $3 perstudent if Chaperone is a Watermen’s Museum Education Facilitator.

The students will explore the world of the Algonquians thatlived in the Chesapeake region at the time ofthe English arrival at Jamestown in 1607. Hands on stations will allow the students to learn about the maritimeheritage of the first watermen of Virginia .

Orientation and 3 - 20 Minute Stations:

1.      World of the Powhatan

2.      Canoe Construction

3.      Nets and Seining

4.      Fishing Tools and Weirs

Grade level: K - 12

Program Location: Watermen’s Museum

Program Length: 1.5 hours

Program Cost: $5 per participant

Students will learn about Yorktown’s colonial maritime history and experience what it would have beenlike to live and work aboard a pirate ship in the Chesapeake Bay during the early 18^th century.

Orientation and 3 - 20 Minute Stations:

1.      Yorktown and Piracy

2.      A Pirates Life

3.      Sail Training

Grade level: K - 8

Program Location: Watermen’s Museum

Program Length: 1.5 hours

Program Cost: $5 per participant

Orientation and 3 - 20 Minute Stations:

1.      Why Yorktown ?

2.      TobaccoFactors and Slavery

3.      Taxesand Trade

4.     The Yorktown Tea Party

Grade level: 4-12

Program Location: Watermen’s Museum

Program Length: 1.5 hours

Program Cost: $5 per participant

Come and explore the history in our own backyard. Thishands-on program puts students into the fighting at the Siege of Yorktown. Studentswill explore the realities of life during the siege of 1781 and how weatherchanged history.

Orientation and 2 - 30 Minute Stations:

1.      SettingThe Stage for 1781

2.      The Virginia State Navy

3.      Cannonsand Sieges

Grade level: 4-12

Program Location: Watermen’s Museum

Program Length: 1.5 hours

Program Cost: $5 per participant

The United States has always been a maritime nation.Join the museum staff in an exploration of our shared maritime heritage. Fromthe Virginia Indians and the early explorers, and from colonial shipping to themodern day the waterways of Virginia have influenced how we have worked and lived.

Orientation and 3 - 20 Minute Stations:

1.      AMaritime Nation

2.      VirginiaIndian Fishing

3.      Boat Building

4.      Chesapeake Bay Watermen

Program Location: Watermen’s Museum

Program Length: 1.5 hours

Program Cost: $5 per participant

Join us for an experiential study of Virginia IndianMaritime Heritage. The students will participate in an on-water kayak program.Safety and paddling lessons are provided by trained kayak instructors.

Stations:

1.      Va. Indian MaritimeHeritage

2.     CanoeConstruction

3.      KayakProgram

Grade level: 4-12

Program Location: Watermen’s Museum

Program Length: 2.5 hours

Program Cost: $35 student, $45 Adult 

To schedule a program tour at the museum or to receive more information, please call (757) 887-2641 or fill out our Educational Tour Reservation Form.