Field Trips

Maritime History Field Trip (3rd Graders)

Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Social Studies
State Standards:
3 – G1.0.1, 3 – G1.0.2, 3 – G4.0.1, 3 – G4.0.3, 3 – E1.0.1, 3 – E1.0.2, 3 – E1.0.3, 3 – E1.0.4, SL.3.1, S2.2.3, S.4.5.3

During this field trip, students explore Sand Point Beach, where hands-on exploration and immersive activities bring Lake Superior’s rich cultural and maritime past to life. Through interactive sessions in a historic U.S. Coast Guard boathouse, boat-building challenges, and engaging games along the lakeshore, students discover how people, commerce, and natural resources shaped Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Activity Sessions:
 

  1. U.S. Coast Guard History- Students will explore the Sand Point USCG Boathouse, learn about maritime navigational terms, and model the use of USCG rescue equipment.  

  1. History of Ship Building- Students will learn about historical boat designs and explore buoyancy through an active demonstration. After, students will apply what they’ve learned towards efforts to build a boat of their own design and test their efforts on the water. 

  1. Trade in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula- students will discuss key trade resources that created economic growth in the Upper Peninsula and Great Lakes regions and play a role-play game that models trade and commerce.

Grade Level: 3rd Grade
Location: Sand Point Beach at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising MI
Duration: 3 hours
Months Offered: Spring (mid April-mid May), Fall (mid-October – mid-November) weather depending

Request a field trip here.

Last updated: September 22, 2026