The Columbia River Maritime Museum Miniboat Program is a free-to-schools multidisciplinary STEAM learning experience for 4th- to 6th-grade classes in Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon. The program was formed in 2017 and over the course of the initial five years the following organizations have assisted in development and/or financially: Consular Office of Japan in Portland, Educational Passages, Pacific Power Foundation, Northwest Stem Hub, West Marine BlueFuture Fund, U.S. Coast Guard, NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) Line, and individuals. In the first five years the program launched 37 miniboats from the USA to Japan.
The CRMM Miniboat Program is a partnership with Educational Passages' Miniboat Program.
Following a year pause for evaluation this program relaunched in 2023 with a dedicated staff member and closer alignment with CRMM's mission. CRMM’s Boat Educator visits one classroom for 10 weekly lessons covering general maritime learning, latitude/longitude, currents, traditional boat building (including Indigenous influence via the assistance of tribal members), and lots of kinesthetic learning. The 11th weekly visit is the christening ceremony with much pomp and circumstance then boat is turned over to the launching vessel. In the following three months the class will receive monthly visits to continue learning about the Pacific Ocean and the abundance of cultures the vessel may sail past or interact with. Each launched miniboat is equipped with a GPS that classes will follow for up to two years!
The CRMM Miniboat Program is a partnership with Educational Passages' Miniboat Program.
Following a year pause for evaluation this program relaunched in 2023 with a dedicated staff member and closer alignment with CRMM's mission. CRMM’s Boat Educator visits one classroom for 10 weekly lessons covering general maritime learning, latitude/longitude, currents, traditional boat building (including Indigenous influence via the assistance of tribal members), and lots of kinesthetic learning. The 11th weekly visit is the christening ceremony with much pomp and circumstance then boat is turned over to the launching vessel. In the following three months the class will receive monthly visits to continue learning about the Pacific Ocean and the abundance of cultures the vessel may sail past or interact with. Each launched miniboat is equipped with a GPS that classes will follow for up to two years!
HOST REQUIREMENTS:
* One classroom of 4th, 5th or 6th grade in the following counties:
Oregon: Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook or Washington
Washington: Cowlitz, Pacific or Wahkiakum.
Schools in Clark County, WA and Multnomah County, OR please contact our miniboat educator directly.
* One set location for 10 weekly visits followed by 3 monthly visits:
Fall Cohort: October - December weekly, January - March monthly
Spring Cohort: January - March weekly, April - June monthly
TRACK THE 2022 MINIBOAT FLEET
TRACK THE 2022 MINIBOAT FLEET
