Field Trip in a Box: Ships to the Sea (Grades 2-5)

Ships to the Sea is a program designed for students to discover the United States Navy through the development of shipbuilding from the wooden frigate to the modern nuclear powered air craft carrier. Throughout this lesson, students will:

• Determine the best materials for ship building
• See what life is like on board a ship both today and in the past
• Learn how ships defend themselves
• Learn how ships communicate with one another

The main program, Ships to the Sea, (activity 3) is divided into 5 sections:

• Wooden sailing ships—frigates
• Side wheel steamers
• Ironclads
• Battleship
• Aircraft carrier

While there are many different types of ships in the U.S. Navy today, this program focuses on the above five due to their technological advances and historical significances. However, if there is a ship of particular interest to you or your class, such as submarines or cruisers, please feel free to discuss them in your lesson.

View Ships to the Sea Curriculum Guide