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Free admission will be granted upon presentation of a school or union ID card or a copy of
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Educators' Weekend
April 10-11, 2010
Educators and their families (up to four people total) are admitted free to Mystic Seaport – The Museum of America and the Sea – as part of Educators' Weekend sponsored by the Museum.
Teachers, administrators and support staff are welcome. Free admission will be granted upon presentation of a school or union ID card or a copy of school letterhead.
“Education is a core value of the Museum,” said Susan Funk, vice president for education and public programs. “We appreciate the work educators do every day. This is our way of saying thanks.”
Funk said the weekend is designed for teachers to learn more about how a field trip to Mystic Seaport can help them meet classroom goals.
“Our goal is for teachers to enjoy a day at the Museum,” she said. “While it’s a chance for them to explore and enjoy with their families, it’s also an opportunity for them to see what goes on here during a typical day and to strengthen the partnership between schools and museums.”
Mystic Seaport staff are available to answer teachers’ questions. “We aren’t going to give a typical sales pitch,” Funk said. “We’ll be providing a packet of information that outlines the type of programs we offer. Our staff will present a few of the new programs we’re debuting this spring that focus on immigration and innovation.”
Mystic Seaport offers a variety of programs designed for students. These programs support local, state and national curriculum frameworks and can be customized. Subject areas that can be included are history, social studies, language arts, science and technology, music and art.
Program delivery includes: field trips, in-class lectures, planetarium demonstrations and overnight programs aboard a Mystic Seaport vessel. Resource materials such as books, videotapes and audiotapes are available in the Museum Store.
“It’s one thing to read something out of a book, it’s another to be there,” Funk said. “Our programs are hands-on. They give students a chance to learn outside of the classroom while still maintaining the curriculum needs of the schools. Experiential learning allows students to connect to history in new and exciting ways.”
Additional programs are designed specifically for teachers. Teacher workshops can be developed, including how to use a museum as a teaching tool. Other symposiums and programs are available and offer continuing education units.
“While we know teachers enjoy bringing their classes here for field trips or having one of our staff members come to their school, it was important for us to develop programs that are geared directly to teachers,” said Funk.
Planning a class field trip? Bring your students back for our Ship to Shore: Overnight School Group Program!