Join us on an educational adventure aboard a true piece of American history, the Aircraft Carrier USS YORKTOWN!
You are cleared for an unforgettable landing as you explore and experience the ship affectionately known as the "Fighting Lady." Our History and Science Educational Programs use the USS YORKTOWN and its estuarine environment as hands-on "real life" teaching stations. Meeting our Veterans is an experience exclusively offered in our program as is our Medal of Honor Museum. Uniquely woven into our curriculum is not only History, Science and technology, but Math and Literacy.
Living history, along with the "awe" factor of the USS YORKTOWN's size, stimulating discussions with our volunteer veterans and the up close experiences with our resident creatures — all create a mind stimulating supplement to any classroom's learning experience. Students return to their classrooms with a lasting impression thus validating the importance of off-campus educational programs.
The unique history of South Carolina and the United States.
The focus of our social studies program is the unique history of South Carolina and the United States. Students will explore our state's varied geography and the diversity of its people. From one of the best teaching platforms, the Awe factor of standing our flight deck in the middle of Charleston Harbor, students will map the exploration of the New World up to and including the Civil War, touching on the documents, people, and events that have made the United States what it is today.
Using the multi research stations with in our Education Center, Third Grade Science students will explore the life, earth, and physical sciences within the framework of "Habitats and Adaptations" (physical and behavioral adaptations); "Earth's Materials and Changes" (rocks, soil, water, fossils) and "Heat and Changes in Matter" (sources of heat, solids, liquids, gases. Fourth Grade Science Students will explore "Organisms and Their Environments" (patterns of behavior and changes in the environment); "Astronomy" (Earth, Sun, Moon and planets); and "Weather" (water cycle, clouds, and severe weather).
Email
educationprogram@patriotspoint.org for more information.
The ultimate history and science learning experience.
Over 10,000 students participated in this, our signature program last year. Developed as a supplement to 75% of the 5th grade History and Science curriculums, the six stations, 2 hour program is the ultimate learning experience. Living history, the awe factor created by the size of USS YORKTOWN, the stimulating discussions with our volunteer veterans, and the up close experience with our resident creatures, creates a mind jarring event. The character roles within the pre arrival literacy program are ones that students might actually do or experience in real life, increasing their interest for further investigation. For History, we introduce the students to Harry Smith, a fictional character who fought in the Civil War alongside the youngest recipient of the Medal of Honor. In science, students travel throughout the water cycle with Oscar, a molecular atom of Oxygen and his two Hydrogen friends, the twins, Hannah and Hank.
Email
educationprogram@patriotspoint.org for more information.
A history literacy program with complex investigations.
Focusing on the Early Settlements in South Carolina, including America's role in the Age of Revolution, through Conflicts of the Early 20th Century, to modern day issues, our History Literacy program offers a great forum for discussion to our rising 7th and 8th grade students. Using the various research stations within our Marine Science Center 7th Grade Students continue to deepen their knowledge of the life, earth, and physical sciences through more complex investigations and explanations. For our 8th Grade Science students we encouraged them to become good stewards of the earth by becoming better problem-solvers and intelligent decision-makers as we explore science of astronomy, geology, technology and physics as they relate to the operation of our Aircraft Carrier, the USS YORKTOWN, and our Submarine, the USS CLAMAGORE.
Email
educationprogram@patriotspoint.org for more information.
Enhance your Patriots Point experience with a memorable addition to your visit.
Patriots Point's Educational Program is currently offering additional Educational programs (Astronomy, Aviation, History, Journalism, and Oceanography) for students of all ages. Each program is designed to capitalize on the unique aspects of our naval and maritime museum as well the surrounding estuary where the Yorktown is berthed. All programs offer their participants unique hands on experience, increasing the ability to learn new concepts and skills.
Email
educationprogram@patriotspoint.org for more information.
Aviation - "The Fighting Lady"
Research the dynamics of flight
Our Aviation program showcases the pride of the USS Yorktown-its rich history as a naval aircraft carrier in WW II. Students will learn about the history of aviation and the evolution of the plane as displayed in our rich inventory of planes. Using full of stories of heroism and daring flight missions students will discuss the how aviation changed our involvement in armed conflicts. This program also touches on math curriculum standards as instructors use a cross curricular approach when discussing aeronautical concepts as well as such heroic exploits as the famous Doolittle's Raid. In the advance class, students are given research the dynamics of flight as they build and test RPG-9 gliders.
Astronomy - "Reach for the Stars!"
Depend on the stars and the sky to guide you across oceans
From the earliest days of sailing using sextants to modern day cruise liners using satellite navigation, all nautical pilots depend on the stars and the sky to safely guide them across the oceans. The Astronomy program shows how activities in space affect us here on earth. Students will learn about the solar system, how planets move, the moon's effect on the tides and the sun's effects on earth's weather, about light pollution and its consequences on ecosystems, astronomy and human health and psychology. The program concludes with the students going to the flight deck for an observing session and star gazing session. The students will be challenged to name stars, find constellations and see firsthand the effect of light pollution over the Charleston city skyline. Patriots Point provides all equipment for the observation session.
Journalism - "Journalists document life"
The responsibilities of living in a free society
This is a Journalism program designed to appeal to all students interested in the role free press plays in everything from public opinion to how governments operate. The program starts with a tour of a local television station's facility. Students are given the opportunity to today's issues with their on-air newscasters. Back at Patriots Point, Students learn the history of free press, and discuss the differences in societies that have free press versus societies with restricted press. Last, instructors will lead the students in discussing news reporting in the age of blogging, tweeting, and camera phones. Through the discussions of journalism, students will use critical thinking and analysis, understand the power of persuasive language and its effect on people's perceptions, learn communication techniques to encourage open dialogue, and practice active listening.
History - "Where in the World is Great Grandpa"
Engages a desire to dig for more information
Stories have been around since the beginning of time. Whether starting as a Captain's Boy for the notorious Pirate Blackbeard, to a friend of the youngest recipient of the medal of Honor, Willie Johnson, we use stories in the form of letters to transport knowledge while passing along family history and traditions. Incorporating the assets of the only Medal of Honor Museum, patriotism and love of country is enhanced through the stories of our Medal of Honor recipients. The "Where in the World is Great Grandpa" series engages students to arrive and leave with a desire to dig for more information.
Oceanography - Environmental Science - The Oscar Project
Travel the world through a natural estuary
With a Molecule of Oxygen named Oscar, students travel the world through the natural estuary that surrounds the USS YORKTOWN. Oscar is everywhere, from the oysters growing along the hull to the marsh grasses growing in the harbor. With Oscar's help, as accompanied by the twin atoms of Hydrogen, students learn the characteristics and living habits of salt water marine animals, study the plant and animal organisms in the marsh water, test the salinity of various water samples, and work on our outdoors research centers discussing the water cycle and the effects of water flowing from the upstate has on our landmass formations here in the low country. We have created this program to be interactive, cross curricular, and hands on.
Download accompanying lesson plans here.
All programs are aligned to specific State Standards to aid in the ease of helping teachers incorporate our materials so that they wrap around and strengthen their daily plans.
Education
Lesson Plans
5th Grade Lesson Plans
