“Echoes of a Merchant Mariner” Education Program

A 4th-grade class from Pine Grove Elementary School in Santa Maria is exploring the Santa Barbara coastline with us aboard the Mystic Whaler for our education program, Echoes of a Merchant Mariner. This program combines a reflection on the historical uses and methods for sailing a 110-ft tall ship in the past while simultaneously challenging students to operate a similar vessel in the modern day. Students will gain a clearer understanding of the 19th-century lives of those that brought cargo around the world and bear the same responsibilities that persist into the 21st century. They will be expected to exercise their understanding of math, physics, history, and engineering to practice traditional skills such as navigation and mechanical advantage on this 3.5-hour sail.