Education Programs

Call Group Reservations at (757) 664-1021 or (800) 664-1080 ext. 41021 or e-mail reservations@nauticus.org.

In-House and Outreach School Programs

All programs last approximately 30 minutes and can be booked as an in-house program at Nauticus, or we can bring the program to your classroom! If you have more than 35 students, your group will be broken up into smaller groups and additional programs will be scheduled for your group. Programs can be scheduled as early as 9:15am.  These education programs can be added to your Nauticus visit for an additional $2 per student.  Programs with a * are available as an outreach.

Weather World (Grades 2-8)*

Explore the earth from 22,000 miles away on NOAA's Science on a Sphere! Students will learn about air pressure, cloud formation, weather instruments and more!
VA Science SOLs: 2.6, 3.8, 3.9, 4.6, 4.7, 5.6, 6.2, 6.3, 6.6, 6.8, ES.3, ES.4, ES.13

Watershed Field Investigation (Grades 4 - 8) - Outreach only*

Take your students outdoors! Examine how the health of their schoolyard affects the entire Chesapeake Bay Watershed by using GPS units, taking soil samples and testing for nutrient pollutants. (Maximum of 30 students per program)
VA Science SOLs: 4.5, 4.8, 6.7

Battle Blast (Grades 1-12)

Awesome experiments investigate the science of energy, force and pressure associated with Battleship design! The USS Wisconsin's 16-inch guns are the basis for the concepts in this program!
Virginia Science SOLs: K.1, 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.2, 5.4, 6.2, PS.2, PS.5, PS.6, PS.7, PS.8, PS.10

Early Learners (Grades Pre-k - K) - Perfect outreach for your early learners!*

Story time, craft and hands on experiments! Choose your topic for this exciting program to help develop gross and fine motor skills for your early learners! Topics include wacky science, weather, deep sea adventures, and more!  (Nauticus can bring one of our own live animals to your facility if this is booked as an outreach program, upon request)

Chesapeake Bay Investigation (Grades 2-5)*

Solve the mystery of the Elizabeth River predator and learn about the basics of our local Chesapeake Bay and Elizabeth River animals.
Virginia Science SOLs: 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 6.4

Cool Science (Grades 1-12)*

Experience amazing liquid nitrogen and combustion experiments as you discover the science of temperature and states of matter.
Virginia Science SOLs: K.1, K.2, K.5, K.9, 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3, 3.9, 3.11, 4.1, 4.2, 5.4, 6.2, 6.4, PS.2, PS.4, PS.6, PS.7, CH.2, CH.5, PH.3, PH.4, PH.7

Seeing the Sea (Grades 1-8)*

Everything you want to know about ocean science - learn about ocean animals and the adaptations they use to survive, light and sound, ocean pressure and more!
Virginia Science SOLs: K.1, K.2, K.4, K.5, K.6, 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.7, 2.1, 2.5, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4.1, 4.5, 5.3, 6.1, LS.1, LS.4, LS.10, PS.1, PS.5, PS.8, PS.9, ES.1, BIO.1, PH.4, PH.7, PH.9, PH.10

Nauticus Workshops

These workshops will combine interactive classroom activities with intensive experience based learning. Workshops last approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.  These workshops can be added to your Nauticus visit for an additional $4 per student.

Weather Workshop (Grades 3-8)

Observe, feel and create the weather! Track a hurricane and learn weather trivia as your students play the Hurricane Adventure Game. Learn about weather instruments and even create a cloud like the swirling clouds you will see on NOAA's Science On a Sphere!
Virginia Science Science SOLs: 1.2, 1.6, 2.3, 2.6, 3.1, 3.8, 3.9, 4.1, 4.2, 4.6, 4.7, 5.1
Virginia Language Arts SOLs: 4.1, 4.2

Watershed Workshop (Grades 3-8)

Introduces students to the role watersheds play in our lives. Hands-on activities using a coastal enviroscape and a collaborative city-planning task.
Virginia Science SOLs: K.5, K.9, K.10, 1.1, 1.8, 2.5, 3.6, 3.9, 3.10, 4.1, 4.5, 4.8, 6.1, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, ES.9, ES.11, BIO.1, BIO.5, BIO.7, BIO.9, CH.1, CH.3

Robotics Workshop (Grades 6-12)

Experience this great hands-on, team building activity to learn about the science, technology and the use of Remote Operated Vehicles that explore deep into the ocean!
Virginia Science SOLs: 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, 6.7, 6.8, LS.1, PS.1, PS.6, PS.10, PS.11, ES.1, ES.3, ES.11, CH.1, PH.1, PH.3, PH.4, PH.5, PH.7, PH.8, PH.12, PH.13.
History and Social Science SOLs: VS.1, USI.1, CE.12, WG.2.

Under the Sea Workshop (Grades 2-8)

Everything you want to know about ocean science in this hands-on workshop. Learn about light and sound, adaptations ocean animals have to survive, as well as including an opportunity for dissection.
Virginia Science SOLs: 3.5, 4.5, 5.2, 5.3, LS.10, PS.8, PS.9

Elizabeth River Eco Expedition (preferably for grades 4+)

Get onboard the Victory Rover! This in depth field trip will consist of a three-part guided boat trip exploring the Elizabeth River's ecology, biology and history. Perform water chemistry experiments, hands on activities with a coastal enviroscape and perform biological sampling. Field trips must begin at 9:00 a.m. $20 per person. Groups must be a minimum of 40 with a maximum of 100 per group including chaperones. Fee includes Nauticus admission!
Virginia Science SOLs: 4.1, 4.5, 5.1, 5.5, 5.6, 6.1, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, LS.1, LS.4, LS.5, LS.7, LS.9, LS.10, LS.11, LS.12, PS.1, ES.1, ES.2, ES.9, ES.11, BIO.1, BIO.5, BIO.7, BIO.9, CH.1, CH.3
Virginia History and Social Science SOLs: VS.2, USII.5

Large Screen Hi-Def Movies - Included in your admission ticket!

You'll be a part of the action in our large screen hi-def movie theater experience!  Movies are included in Nauticus admission, check our daily schedule for showtimes. 

The Living Sea

This 45 minute movie takes you into the world's ocean. Explore the mysterious depths and come face-to-face with humpback whales. Swim with thousands of golden jellyfish. Witness the bizarre spawning behavior of giant clams. Surf in Hawaii. Deep sea dive in Palau. Test your courage with the Coast Guard in some of the world's roughest seas. Follow a remotely-operated vehicle down through the ocean depths to view strange creatures. The Living Sea celebrates the world ocean - its beauty, diversity and importance to all life on earth!
Virginia Science SOLs: 1.8, 2.5, 2.8, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 4.5, 5.6, 5.7, 6.4, 6.5, 6.8, LS.7, LS.10, LS.12, BIO.9

USS Wisconsin: The Last Battleship

Discover why the USS Wisconsin is truly the most unique battleship in the world. Experience the excitement and nostalgia as the guns fire from the deck for the last time. This inspiring documentary, produced by Wisconsin Public Television, chronicles the life of the Battleship Wisconsin, defines its unique place in history, and profiles the courageous men who went to war on her decks.
Virginia History and Social Science SOLs: K.4, 1.9, 2.3, 3.7, USII.1, USII.6, USII.7, CE.3, WHII.11, WHII.15, VUS.10, VUS.11, VUS.12

*This movie is shown upon request with advanced reservations only.

Gateway to the World Digital HD Film

With the largest natural harbor on earth, the Port of Virginia serves as a gateway to the world through maritime operations. This original hi-definition film captures Port activity as choreographed motions of trains, cranes and container ships reveal the beauty of transportation where workers are the masters of the machinery that dwarves them.

*This movie is shown upon request with advanced reservations only.