USS Constitution Museum
Areas of Focus
War of 1812, The New Republic, Boston History, Maritime History, STEM, Community, Self-Guided Museum Tour, Student Program
Available Programs
To Register for a Field Trip: To reserve a program at USSCM, please complete the Reservation Request Form: https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/visit/schools-youth/ .
The Museum's Education Coordinator is available Mondays - Fridays from 10:00am - 2:00pm. Please call 617-426-1812 x146 or email groupreservations@usscm.org
Website: usscm.org
Social Media for the USS Constitution --Boat and Museum
Program Fees: All of our programs are free for Boston Public Schools. Free buses!
For All Grades
A Sailor’s Life for Me?
Discover details about life aboard USS Constitution in the early years of the U.S. Navy – the good and the bad – with a skilled educator. At the end of the program, ask yourself, “Is a sailor’s life for me?” Students and their chaperones are encouraged to explore our award-winning, hands-on exhibits and the ship, USS Constitution, following the program. Adult chaperones are asked to assist with and participate in program activities.
Grades: All AgesClass Size: 10 – 30 youthTime: 30 minutes (+ self-guided gallery exploration)Chaperone Ratio: 1:10
Join the Crew
What was life like aboard USS Constitution in 1812? Take on the role of a crew member and, with your team, complete a series of challenges faced by sailors. Do you have what it takes to endure life at sea as a captain or ordinary seaman through daily life and battle? Adult chaperones are asked to assist with and participate in program activities.
Grades: 5 - 8Class size: 10 – 30 youthTime: 90 minutesChaperone Ratio: 1:6
Ship Design Challenge
USS Constitution was built for speed and strength by a young nation with a limited budget. Her unique design and American materials helped to make her a national symbol. Are you up to the challenge of designing and constructing the fastest and strongest ship using household resources and within a set time and budgetary constraints? This program includes time aboard the ship, USS Constitution. Adult chaperones are asked to assist with and participate in program activities.
Grades: 3 – 5Class size: 10 – 30 youthTime: 2 hoursChaperone Ratio: 1:6
Self-Guided Visit
Don’t just learn about history, experience it! Your group can independently explore two floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits or shop for something special to take home in the Museum Store. Students and their chaperones are encouraged to visit USS Constitution after exploring the museum.
Grades: All AgesClass Size: Up to 50 youth per entry timeTime: 60 minutes recommendedChaperone Ratio: 1:10Virtual Programming
Day in the Life of a Ship’s Boy
Experience “Old Ironsides” from the perspective of the youngest 1812 crew member, a ship’s boy! This 360 virtual tour, facilitated by a Museum educator, will have students exploring every corner of the Ship, from the powder magazine in the depths of the hull to the fighting tops, one hundred feet above the top deck. As students navigate the virtual tour platform, pop-up boxes with historical artifacts, videos of today’s U.S. Navy crew, and games bring the spaces to life. An on-demand, self-guided version of this virtual tour will be available soon.
Grades 3-5 │ Maximum 40 students │ 60 Minutes │Zoom Meeting
Day in the Life of a Midshipman
This 360 virtual tour, facilitated by a Museum educator, follows a day in the life of an 1812 midshipman: a teenage officer in training. Students will navigate through every deck of the Ship in this virtual tour, encountering pop-up boxes with historical artifacts, videos of today’s U.S. Navy crew, and games along the way. An on-demand, self-guided version of this virtual tour will be available soon.
Grades 6-12 │ Maximum 40 students │ 60 Minutes │ Zoom Meeting
Join the Crew
Virtually visit USS Constitution in Boston MA, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. In this field trip, you’ll walk the decks of this historic ship with a U.S. Navy sailor and learn about life at sea during the War of 1812 first-hand! From chores, to food, to sails and battle, this interactive field trip will keep your students engaged in games and demos.
Grades K-12 │ Maximum 40 students │ 60 Minutes | Zoom Meeting
Past Programming (may not be currently available)
History Tells a Story
Become a history detective and storyteller! Historians uncover stories of the past by examining artifacts and making connections that are shared with the community in museums, books, and online. Can your class work together to uncover the story of USS Constitution’s most famous battle? Do you have the historical thinking skills to piece together the stories of USS Constitution’s crew and share them with your peers? This program includes time aboard the ship, USS Constitution. Adult chaperones are asked to assist with and participate in program activities.
Grades: 3 – 5Class size: 10 – 30 youthTime: 2 hoursChaperone Ratio: 1:6
Unfurl the Past
Use visual thinking strategies and paintings to uncover the story of USS Constitution’s greatest battle, when she earned her nickname, “Old Ironsides,” and became a national symbol. Students and their chaperones are encouraged to explore our award-winning, hands-on exhibits and the ship, USS Constitution, following the program.
Grades: 3 - 12Class Size: 10 – 30 youthTime: 30 minutes (+ self-guided gallery exploration)Chaperone Ratio: 1:10
Invention Factory
Running a ship like USS Constitution is hard work. Work as a group to design and build a prototype to help sailors roll their hammocks or scrub the decks. Are you up for the challenge? Students and their chaperones are encouraged to explore our award-winning, hands-on exhibits and the ship, USS Constitution, following the program.
Grades: 5 - 8Class size: 10 – 30 youthTime: 30 minutes (+ self-guided gallery exploration)Chaperone Ratio: 1:10
Ship Design Challenge
Using the MCAS Engineering Design Process, students explore the design, construction and launch of USS Constitution in the 1790s before designing and building their own ship for speed, strength, or both, using household resources. Are you up to the challenge? Great for High School Engineering classes!
Grades: 9 - 12Class size: 10 – 30 youthTime: 90 minutesChaperone Ratio: 1:6
Coming Soon: Trade and USS Constitution
USS Constitution and the first ships in the US Navy were tasked with defending the trading efforts of this young nation. In this program, students will learn about early US trade, the circumstances and materials with which USS Constitution was built, and the impact this had on Boston’s economy and society. This program will include time on board USS Constitution.
Grades: 5 - 8Class size: 10 – 30 youthTime: 2 hoursChaperone Ratio: 1:6
Transportation Options
School Bus Availability:
Free Buses Available
MBTA Accessibility :
USSCM is a one mile walk from the North Station and Community College MBTA stations. We are also accessible via 93 bus and the Charlestown Ferry.