The Vancouver Maritime Museum offers school programs for classes from preschool to high school. All of our programs are designed to assist teachers in meeting the requirements of the BC social studies and science curriculum. Trained education volunteers lead small groups of students through hands-on and participatory activities designed to stimulate creative and critical thinking.

TUGS FOR TYKES  Grades preschool to 1; Wed 1:00 – 2:00; Fri 10:00 – 11:00
Tug boats are small but their role in the harbour is big. In this program, students will discover how these small but mighty vessels keep the harbour moving. This interactive program introduces students to the role of the tug boat, basic maritime terminology (parts of a boat) and roles and responsibilities of the crew.  Students will construct a model tugboat to take home.
Curriculum connections
• Draw simple interpretations from personal experiences, oral sources and visual and written representations.
• Identify different occupations in the community.

AMAZING ARCTIC ANIMALS   Grades preschool to K; Wed 10:00 – 11:00;Thurs 1:00 – 2:00; Fri 1:00 –2:00
Discover the keys to survival in the Arctic by examining how some animals have adapted to the harsh conditions. Students will examine skulls, furs and photos of several Arctic animals to look for clues of how they have adapted. A short story and a simple craft will be used to reinforce the teaching.
Curriculum connections
• Describe ways in which Arctic animals interact with each other.
• Identify how physical environments affect living creatures.
• Draw simple interpretations from personal experiences, oral sources, visual and hands on activities.

PIRATES!  Grades preschool to 4; Tues 10:00 – 11:00; Thurs 1:00 – 2:00
There is more to a pirates life than you see in the theatre or read in books. This fun program introduces students to the life of these early seafarers and will touch on living conditions, skills and duties, tools of the trade, famous pirates and the rules they live by. (Program is 1 hour for preschool to grade 1; 1.5 hours for grades 2-4).
Curriculum connections
• Draw simple interpretations from personal experiences, oral sources and visual and written representations.
• Describe how physical environment influences human activities.
• Ask and respond to questions before, during, and after reading, viewing or listening.

THE WORKING HARBOUR   Grades 2 and 3;   Wed 10:00 – 11:30
Port Metro Vancouver is Canada’s largest and busiest port. This program provides students with an introduction to what happens in the port, the impact of the port on local, national and international communities and different occupations in the port. Activities include: exploring a simulated tug boat wheelhouse and constructing a model tug boat to take home.
Curriculum connections
• Describe how members of a community meet one another’s needs.
• Describe ways in which communities are interdependent.
• Identify contributions of various occupations to BC communities.

MOUNTIE SAILORS AND ARCTIC COMMUNITIES Grades 1 to 3; Tues 10:00 – 11:30
From 1928 to 1944 the RCMP vessel St Roch spent much it’s time in the Arctic acting as a floating police station visiting remote Inuit communities. This famous vessel and her crew of Mounties were successful in their mission because of the skills, teamwork and relationships with Inuit. While exploring the fully restored St Roch, students will analyze the relationships between the Mounties, Inuit and the animals in the Arctic that led to their successful voyage and their famous accomplishments.
Curriculum connections
• Describe daily life, work, and community structures.
• Describe traditional technology used by the Inuit and ways in which communities are interdependent.
• Describe ways in which animals are important to other living things and the environment.
• Assess the relationship between cultures and their environment.

MAN THE OARS AND MAP THE COAST  Grades 4 and 5; Wed 10:00 – 11:30; Thurs 10:00 – 11:30
George Vancouver’s exploration of the Pacific Northwest coast from 1791-1795 led to the creation of the first detailed and accurate charts of the region. Students will learn about the significance of his voyage, experience the life of his crew and learn about the skills of seamanship, exploration and navigation. Activities include visiting a simulated fo’c’sle of an 18th Century tall ship and charting the Museum’s harbour.
Curriculum connections
• Compare the “discovery” and “exploration” of North America from European and Aboriginal people’s perspectives.
• Demonstrate understanding of factors that initiated early European exploration of North America.
• Describe the technology used in exploration.

ARCTIC EXPLORERS  Grades 4 and 5; Wed 12:30 – 2:00; Thurs 10:00 – 11:30
Could you be a successful Arctic Explorer? Discover what it takes to become a successful Arctic explorer by examining explorers that were not successful and comparing them to those that were. Students will examine the experiences of Captain Henry Larsen and his crew aboard the famous RCMP vessel St. Roch and learn how the traditional knowledge and lifestyle of the Inuit could improve your chance of survival.
Curriculum connections
• Compare the “discovery” and “exploration” of North America from European and Aboriginal people’s perspectives.
• Demonstrate understanding of factors that influenced early European exploration of North America.
• Analyse traditional technology used by the Inuit; describe technology used in exploration.

EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS – Underwater Technology Grades 5 to 7; Tues 10:00 – 11:30; 12:30 – 2:00; Fri 10:00 – 11:30
Like space exploration, deep ocean exploration requires specific skills, technology and teamwork to survive. In this workshop, students will learn about the history of deep ocean exploration, why the deep ocean is considered an extreme environment, and how technology can be used to overcome the conditions faced by deep ocean explorers. Students will begin the process of designing a submersible for deep ocean exploration by learning about the basics of buoyancy, ballast, pressure hull design and providing a safe, comfortable environment for the explorers. The Newt Suit (a Canadian invention) and an examination of the submersible PX-15 Ben Franklin, will be used to highlight some of the technologies and design principles.
Curriculum connections
• Identify and discover technological requirements for exploration of space and the ocean.
• Identify and compare human requirements for exploration of space and the oceans; investigate Canadian contributions.
• Select and use effective problem solving strategies.

ARCTIC MELTDOWN! Grades 5 to 7  Tues 10:00 – 11:30; 12:30 – 2:00; Fri 10:00 – 11:30
What is the impact of climate change the Arctic?  How does the warming of the Arctic region impact the Inuit, the environment, Canadian sovereignty and ownership of natural resources under the Arctic Ocean? Students will develop an appreciation of the complex interactions between humans and the environment, impact on Inuit culture and lifestyle and questions of ownerships and access to the waterways and natural resources in the Arctic.
Curriculum connections
• Analyze how the Inuit interconnect with their environment past, present and future.
• Describe ways in which Arctic animals interact with each other.
• Assess the effects of climate change and modern technology on lifestyles and environments.
• Discuss the challenges climate change will create for Canadian governance and sovereignty.

NEW PROGRAMS FOR 2011/12

TWO WORLDS: ABOVE AND BELOW THE SEA  (180 minutes) Grades 8 and 9 Call to book.
This two part program examines ocean exploration from two perspectives. Above the Sea, examines European exploration of the Pacific Northwest coastline in the 18th Century and discusses technology, seamanship, navigation and life aboard ships in the age of sail. Below the Sea, dives into the history and technology of deep ocean exploration including the contribution of Canadian inventors.

WHAT IS WAR GOOD FOR?  Grades 10 to 12 (90 minutes) Call to book.
Canada is nicknamed by some as “the peaceful nation”. In 1939, Canada had a small but growing military force. By the end of WWII, Canada had become the fourth largest contributor to the Allied forces after USSR, USA and the United Kingdom.  In this program, students will gain an understanding of Canada’s involvement in WW ll. Main themes of the program include: the history of the Royal Canadian Navy; St Roch’s secret wartime mission; living in an occupied country and; how the torpedo changed the Battle of the Atlantic.

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