Experiential Education for All
Set Sail for Adventure and Learning On Board the Mystic Whaler!
Have you ever imagined a classroom experience that transports students beyond textbooks and into the heart of maritime history, STEAM discovery, and The Ocean’s ecosystems?
Students and local youth can now spend a full day aboard the majestic Mystic Whaler, a historic tall ship that serves as a unique platform for experiential learning.
This immersive adventure integrates engaging STEAM activities into the very fabric of the sailing experience, allowing students to grasp abstract concepts through hands-on exploration.
Imagine students:
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Hoisting the sails and navigating the sea, gaining a practical understanding of wind patterns, angles, and teamwork.
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Plotting their course using maps and compasses, applying geometry and spatial reasoning in a real-world context.
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Collecting and analyzing water samples and conducting citizen science experiments that directly impact their understanding of marine ecosystems.
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Learning about marine life and the delicate balance of the ocean, fostering a sense of environmental responsibility and stewardship.
This is not just a field trip; it's a transformative journey that sparks curiosity, ignites a passion for learning, and builds valuable life skills. Students develop:
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Problem-solving abilities through critical thinking and collaboration.
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Communication skills through clear and concise instructions during teamwork.
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Confidence and resilience as they overcome challenges and master new skills.
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A deeper understanding of STEAM principles through application and real-world context.
Mystic Whaler Experiential Education Programs
Have you ever imagined a classroom experience that transports students beyond textbooks and into the heart of maritime history, STEAM discovery, and The Ocean’s ecosystems? This is what a field trip on board the 110' schooner Mystic Whaler brings to life.
Trading In California™
Recommended grades: 4th-5th
In Trading in California, students will be taken back to a point of time in California when all commerce and contact with the outside world arrived by ship. Signing on as greenhands, or inexperienced crew, their voyage will mimic elements of the famous voyage of Richard Henry Dana Jr. Using skills such as math, science, and technology as well as teamwork, determination, and problem-solving, the students will be presented with a series of challenges from raising sail to navigation. This program is designed to not only instill a connection of empathy and understanding with our past but to encourage pride in hard work well done and inspire ambitions in personal education and growth.
Echoes of a Merchant Mariner™
Recommended grades: 4th-5th
Echoes of a Merchant Mariner combines a reflection on the historical uses and methods for sailing a 110-ft tall ship in the past while simultaneously challenging students to operate a similar vessel in the modern day. Students will gain a clearer understanding of the 19th-century lives of those that brought cargo around the world and bear the same responsibilities that persist into the 21st century. They will be expected to exercise their understanding of math, physics, history, and engineering to practice traditional skills such as navigation and mechanical advantage on this 3.5-hour sail. This program was designed with 5th graders in mind but can be tailored to grades 4-7 with respect to state standards.
"I Am Ocean, Hear Me Warm"™
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Recommended grade: 8th
In our I Am Ocean, Hear Me Warm program, the Mystic Whaler will act as a dynamic floating classroom for the purpose of examining the varied effects climate change has on the oceans of our world and how the oceans impact humanity specifically. Against the backdrop of an untamed world, students will participate in utilizing one of humanity’s most ancient and long-lived technology- a sailing vessel- while simultaneously experimenting with the modern methods and technology of Oceanographers. Utilizing STEM skills, students will take an in-depth look at several vital aspects of the ocean systems that support life on our planet and consider projections for the future. Over the course of this half-day venture, we ask the students to consider not only our presently changing world but to face the costs to themselves and the responsibility of how they might actively shape what our world is to become.
Jack of All Trades™
Recommended grades: Multiple
Our most customizable program, Jack of All Trades, is a collection of engaging lessons and activities designed for every grade level. Programs can be tailored to the needs of the group, whether the
focus is on academics, collaborative work, nautical training, or family fun. While lessons generally utilize elements of STEM and follow a format designed to fulfill state standards, the focus can easily be shifted to emphasize teamwork, social-emotional learning,
or simply the experience of interacting with a 19th-century-era schooner. This program also has the flexibility to accommodate multi-age groups. Jack of All Trades is a dockside program, allowing for more timeframe adaptability.
Educational Affiliations
At Mystic Whaler we are always working to keep our educational Mission relevant and always seeking ways to further improve our experiential education programs. We are grateful to like-minded organizations who help Mystic Whaler pursue its educational Mission and goals.
