Traveling Education Trunks

Springfield Armory offers two traveling education trunks that connect Springfield Armory National Historic Site to the community of your students, while developing critical thinking skills through interactive lessons. Each trunk contains a variety of lessons, accessible for elementary and middle school students, tied to national standards, that will bring the past to the present using Springfield Armory as the avenue. They are engaging and interactive programs designed to allow you to personalize the experience of students in your classroom!

Once you request a trunk, a ranger will contact you to schedule your trunk. The trunk will be mailed and includes all the the lessons and necessary materials. The traveling trunks are offered at no cost to you as we cover the return shipping. If you are interested in receiving a trunk, please fill out the following form and we will be in touch shortly.

Continue reading to learn more about the two trunks we offer.

 

Some of the materials included in the trunk: The Women of World War I and II.

Photo Credit: NPS Digital Photo

The Women of World War I and II investigates the role of women during both World Wars. Women took on the extraordinary task of filling the roles left vacant by men as they went off to war. Thousands of women came and worked at the Armory during both wars with their numbers peaking during World War II.This traveling trunk explores the reasons why women embraced the predominantly male jobs, the work they did, and their lasting legacy in the role of women’s fight for equality. Lessons include a history of the Women Ordnance Workers (WOW), an investigation into the WOWs who worked at Springfield Armory, an art activity for students to create their own WOW bandana, song analysis, the lasting impact these women and more!

 

Some of the materials included in the trunk: The Legacy of Springfield Armory.

Photo Credit: NPS Digital Photo

The Legacy of Springfield Armory: How one Site Changed the Nation examines the history and legacy of Springfield Armory. The Armory was a leader in the development of interchangeability, technological innovations of firearms, mechanization, and specialization in precision manufacturing, and the production of small arms.This trunk includes lessons that explore the history of the Armory, a map maker activity examining primary sources to determine why Springfield was selected as a site for the Armory, lessons on various technological developments that occurred at the Armory including the Blanchard Lathe, noteworthy individuals at the Armor including in John Garland, a critical thinking writing prompt on identifying the significance of a historical site, and more!

 

This program was made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation.