STEM
Set Sail Through Time in Our Maritime Discovery Gallery!
Step into a world of innovation and adventure as you explore the fascinating evolution of maritime navigation and propulsion. From ancient tools that guided the earliest explorers to cutting-edge GPS technology, and from wind-powered vessels to roaring steam and diesel engines, this gallery charts the course of human ingenuity at sea.
What makes this experience truly special? Every exhibit in this one-of-a-kind gallery is designed to move—literally. While these displays are a permanent part of the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf, they’re fully portable, allowing the space to transform seamlessly into a hub for large-scale, traveling exhibitions.
Anchors aweigh—your maritime journey starts here!
Navigation Exhibits
Accessible for the visually impaired. Some exhibits will needs assistance from sighted person to interpret the text.
Take Bearings - Time to Navigate Like a Pro!
You’re out on the open Gulf, the shoreline in sight—but where exactly are you? Step into the shoes of a mariner and put your navigation skills to the test! In this hands-on experience, visitors will scan the horizon, identify key landmarks, and plot their bearings to pinpoint their location—just like sailors did long before GPS.
Think you’ve got what it takes to find your way? Grab your compass and find out!
Chart a Course and Conquer the Intracoastal Waterway!
Ready to take the helm? In this immersive exhibit, visitors become the captain—navigating a sailboat through a winding stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway on a mission to reach the marina. Along the journey, you’ll decode real nautical chart symbols, steer around tricky obstructions, gauge water depth, and make split-second decisions using buoys and channel markers.
Cross Staff and Quadrant: Navigate by the Stars
Long before GPS and satellites, sailors looked to the stars to find their way. In this hands-on experience, you’ll step into the role of an early navigator and use historic tools like the cross staff and quadrant to chart your course. Measure the angle between Polaris and the horizon, and discover how ancient mariners determined their position north or south of the equator—with nothing but the night sky to guide them.
The Sextant: Chart Your Course Like a True Navigator!
Step into the shoes of historic seafarers and get hands-on with one of their most essential tools—the sextant. Discover how this ingenious device, with its curved scale and mirrors, helped sailors navigate by the stars. Try it yourself: take a real reading and see how close you come to finding your latitude!
Night Skies: Navigate by the Stars
Before GPS, there was the galaxy! In this interactive experience, you’ll uncover the secrets of celestial navigation and learn how ancient mariners steered their ships using only the stars. Discover the guiding power of Polaris and the constellations as you explore the night sky and chart your own course across the open sea.
Longitude Challenge - Lost at Sea? Time Is Your Lifeline!
Before the 1770s, sailors had no way to track their longitude—because no clock could handle the chaos of the open ocean. What would you do if you were truly lost at sea? In this hands-on challenge, discover how mastering time became the key to finding your place on the map—and try it for yourself!
GPS/Satellites
From Stars to Satellites. Discover the Power of GPS!
Today’s navigators rely on space-age tech, not starlight. In this high-tech experience, explore how GPS pinpoints your exact location using a global network of satellites beaming signals from orbit. Step into the navigator’s role and see how ships use this invisible web to chart their course with incredible precision—anywhere on Earth!
Navigation Game
Navigating the high seas takes skill, strategy—and a little luck! In this fun-filled game, kids (and their grown-ups) collect puzzle pieces while uncovering fascinating facts about life at sea. From shipwrecks to sea creatures, every turn brings a new surprise as you chart your course through the world of maritime discovery!
Propulsion/Design
Harness the Wind and Set Sail!
Ready to captain your own mini sailboat? In this hands-on challenge, visitors will use wind to navigate a sailboat across the table—learning how the angle of the sail can make all the difference. Experiment with sail positions, catch the breeze just right, and feel the thrill of harnessing the wind to move your ship!
Full Steam Ahead! Power the Paddle Wheel Like a Riverboat Captain
Climb aboard and feel the thrill of the steam age! Discover how steam engines revolutionized maritime travel and transformed the world. Step into the role of a steamboat operator and bring the mighty paddle wheel to life—experience the power that once drove great vessels up rivers and across open waters!
Ship Shape: Design the Perfect Vessel for Your Voyage!
Need a boat built for speed? Cargo? Exploration? Step into the role of a ship designer! In this interactive experience, visitors will define their mission and discover how ships are expertly engineered to match size, speed, and purpose. Test your choices and see how your custom vessel stacks up on the high seas!
Plank a Boat: Build Like a Shipwright!
Think building a boat is easy? Think again! Step into the shoes of a traditional boatbuilder as you assemble one half of a curved-plank boat using flat, puzzle-like pieces. It’s hands-on, minds-on fun that shows just how much skill and precision it takes to craft a seaworthy vessel from simple wooden planks.
On the Water
Sea Sense: Navigate the Changing Tides of History!
Ready to sail through time? At this interactive media station, embark on a global voyage across three pivotal eras—Exploration, Industrialization, and Globalization. Discover how breakthroughs in knowledge transformed sea travel, and put your skills to the test as you make critical choices to successfully reach your destination.
Fact or Folklore?: Uncover the Truth Behind Sailors’ Secrets!
For centuries, sailors have passed down stories and sayings inspired by the sky and sea. But how many are fact—and how many are just tall tales? Dive into this interactive media station to explore the most famous maritime legends, uncover their surprising origins, and decide for yourself what’s truth and what’s folklore!
