School Tours

The Columbia River Maritime Museum offers an array of educational programs for K -12 school groups. From docent-led tours of the Museum and the Lightship Columbia, to in-class programs and activity-rich publications, the Museum’s Education Department is dedicated to increasing your students’ understanding of the maritime history of the Columbia River and the Pacific Northwest.

            To receive a group rate please call the Museum to schedule a school program at least two weeks in advance.

An Introduction to the Museum
            Expose your young students to the Museum. The opportunity to handle replicas and artifacts will make history more real. Trained docents will assist your class in learning about some of our unique artifacts and guide students in making critical observations about some of our boats.
Grades K -2. Allow 1 hour minimum.

The Age of Exploration
Why did mariners sail to the Pacific Northwest? What importance did the Columbia River play in the history of the United States? What were the hazards they encountered? With this interactive, hands-on program your students will take a journey back in time as they examine early maps, charts, and artifacts, handle furs, and classify trade items. Students will try their luck at “shooting a star” after learning about early navigation instruments and some hazards of being a sailor.
Grades 4 and 5.  Allow 2 hours minimum. Program limit is 56 students.
This program applies to the following content standards: use and read maps, understand the impact of exploration on Native Americans, identify early sea routes to Oregon, identify primary sources, identify effects of wind and water on Earth.

Graveyard of the Pacific
            The mouth of the Columbia River is designated “The Graveyard of the Pacific” due to changing weather and ocean conditions. This highly participatory program will plunge your students into the world of underwater archaeology and the reasons shipwrecks occur in this region. Students will utilize critical thinking skills as they measure a shipwreck, record their findings and use clues to determine the type of vessel lost.
Grades 5 – 7. Allow 2  hours minimum. This program is available November through March. Program limit is 55 students.
This program applies to the following content standards: interpret data, identify cause and effect, identify primary sources, measurement.

Lightship Columbia
            Experience life aboard the historic Lightship Columbia. This hands-on program provides science, math, geography, and history activities. Students will participate in a variety of stations that include: weather recording, signal flag communication, Morse code, and measuring the depth of the river. Pre-visit materials are provided and will prepare students for their visit. Limit 25 students.
Grades 3 – 8. Allow 1 ½ hours minimum.
This program applies to the following content standards: Understand state history, measurement, scientific knowledge changes over time, and  describe and measure weather changes.

Chart Your Course Through History
            Discover Northwest and maritime history through a docent-guided tour of the Museum. Skilleddocents lead students through the six galleries and onboard the Lightship Columbia. Tours may be tailored for specific areas of study.
Grades 3 – 12. Allow 1½ hours minimum. This program applies to content standards pertaining to history, geography, economic, and Oregon state history.

Museum Search
            This program is designed for teachers looking for something other than a guided tour through the Museum. Your chaperones guide small groups on a search through the galleries that provides more active participation from your students than a guided tour. The Education Department can tailor the search to your needs if you desire. Call for more information.