Point of Inquiry

Please note that we are no longer accepting applications for this school year 2023-2024.

 

 

Brick masonry arches of Fort Point

Overview

Grade 4

How can buildings and artifacts help us to see the history of a place?

Point of Inquiry allows students to take on the role of history detectives at Fort Point National Historic Site. Designed at the height of the Gold Rush, the Fort played an important role in the protection of the San Francisco Bay against potential enemy attacks. Students will understand and reflect on the impact of the Gold Rush on the area.

This inquiry-based program teaches students to use observations, inferences and questions to uncover the layers of history at the fort. Through this investigation of cultural resources, students will learn that buildings and artifacts can tell powerful stories about the people and events in their own communities.

The Point of Inquiry program uses the Understanding by Design framework and aligns with California K-12 History–Social Science Content Standards and Common Core Standards. The program is framed by the essential question - "How can buildings and artifacts help us to see the history of a place?”

Program’s Framework and Curriculum Links will be shared shortly

 

How to Apply

Please fill out the Education Reservation Request Form to apply to an education program for your class (1 per classroom). Failure to complete this form may result in the inability to participate in program.

• Pre-site Visit: In-person and virtual pre-sitevisits with NPS staff are only offered on Wednesdays.
• On-site Visit: In-person field sessions at Fort Point are only offered Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays.
  • Program Duration: 10 AM -1 PM (start to finish) - We may be able to accommodate your school schedule, please let us know in your application.
  • Please do NOT request in-person field trip sessions on late or early release school dates.

Program Registration Instructions

1. Fully complete Section 1, under Contact Information
   - In the “Describe Need” box, please let us know if you need any special accommodations for students in your class.
   Note: Only the first floor of the fort is accessible by wheelchair.

2. Complete the following for section 2, under Park Visit/Field Trip:
   - You do not need to complete contact information again, please go directly to the grade section.
   - Complete:

Grade	Number of Students	Number of Chaperones
Preferred Date of Visit(Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays)	Preferred Program Start Time	Alternative Date(s)(Be sure to include 2 alternative dates)
Anticipated Arrival Time(Skip this part)	Anticipated Departure Time(Programs last 3 hours)	Mode of Transportation

3. If you prefer an in-person pre-site visit, please fill out Section 3. If you prefer a virual pre-site visit, skip ahead to Section 4.
4. Complete the following for section 4, under Group Details – Virtual/Distance Learning Program (to schedule a virtual pre-lesson with a ranger)
- You do not need to complete contact information again, please go directly to the grade section.
- Complete:

Grade(Skip this section)	Number of Students(Skip this section)
Preferred Date of Program(Please keep in mind that pre-visit lessons with NPS staff are only offered on Wednesdays– preferably the week of your scheduled field session)	Alternative Date(s)(please be sure alternative dates are only on Wednesdays)
Preferred Program Start Time(Pre-site lessons are 1 hour)	Time Zone of the Classroom(Skip this section – programs are only offered to local Bay Area students)

5. After completing the Education Reservation Request form, please email a signed copy to [e-mail].

   • Please have the name of the requested program in the email Subject line.

Please Note--
Due to a high volume of requests, it will take a couple of business days to be contacted by a ranger. Do NOT book in-person field trip sessions on late or early release school dates. Please keep in mind school district buses black-out dates when choosing dates.

 

1870 view of Fort Point

NPS GOGA Park Archives

Program Structure

The Point of Inquiry program is structured in the following three-touch model:

1. Classroom Preparation – Teachers complete 3 pre-lessons delivered with resources provided by the park addressing observation and inference using artifacts and historic photographs. A pre-visit lesson by NPS staff is also offered before the field session – please share details about preferred NPS staff visit in the Education Reservation Request Form.

2. Field Session – the fort experience in which students conduct a history investigation. Please share details about preferred field visit date in the Education Reservation Request Form.
3. Classroom Assessment – opportunities for students to demonstrate what they have learned through essays and inquiry investigations. Please email or mail back student work to NPS staff.

Program’s Framework and Curriculum Links will be shared shortly