Thanks to a $1 million dollar grant from the US Department of Education, four different Connecticut institutions are proud to offer discounted programs for K-5 students that introduce civics, community, and government to young learners through engaging and accessible activities. As a partner, Mystic Seaport Museum is proud to offer three new fun, civic-centered guided tours.
For additional information or to register, please call 860-572-5331 or email reservations@mysticseaport.org.
Connecticut’s 169 towns have many histories. The locations, people, and legends make each town special and different from its neighbors. Connecticut has a wide variety of geographical features which, in part, determined how towns grew and prospered. Students will learn how and why their town developed over time, discover how their town’s inventions and industries contributed to the growth of the state and country, and understand their local government. Students will learn about their town through the lens of the Museum’s exhibits using experiential learning to spark their curiosity and inspire them to become engaged members of their communities.
For grades 2-5.
Students will explore Mystic Seaport Museum as they interview local “citizens” in the seaport town and discuss their opinions on a hot topic: abolish the letter “M” from view in the village! The students will learn the importance of freedom of expression and community harmony. We will then gather in a town hall meeting, putting democracy into action as we all have a chance to vote on what we think our town should do.
For grades 3-5.
Students will participate in an interactive tour of Mystic Seaport Museum, learning about the lives of sailors in the late 19th century through a number of chosen destinations on the Museum’s campus. The focus of the tour will be on the then-legal practice of impressing sailors into commercial voyages. At the culmination of this tour, students will participate in a civics-based group activity designed to outline the process for designing laws and how proposed laws are passed in Congress.
For grades 3-5.
In this program, we’ll uncover the history and legend of the Charter Oak tree and its impact on the newly formed colony of Connecticut. Students will learn why this tree is so important and how it changed the way laws were made and kept. We’ll explore why writing our laws and protecting them is important for everyone and how a tree in our state capital saved our state.
For grades 1-5.
Each of our 50 states and Connecticut’s 169 towns represent their unique identity and heritage through symbols, seals, and flags. The process of creating state symbols and town seals often involves proposals and campaigns by citizens of all ages to be sure to include what is most important about their community. Students will explore state flags and town seals and will then design their own representing their family or school.
For grades 1-5.
The Unlikely Candidate provides an introduction to local government that details its role in creating laws and managing communities. The program touches upon the political symbols of the donkey and the elephant by tracing their origins to historical campaigns and political cartoons. Students will hear five real stories about non-human electoral candidates (animals), running for political office as a form of protest or satire, and then design their own campaign logo.
For grades 1-5.
75 Greenmanville Ave
Mystic, CT 06355
860-572-0711
info@mysticseaport.org
Copyright © 2021 Mystic Seaport Museum
75 Greenmanville Ave
Mystic, CT 06355
860-572-0711
