Image of several 6th grade students on a dock walking towards two ships.

Our 6th-grade students stepped out of the MGMS classroom and directly into the history books during an unforgettable field trip to tour full-scale replicas of the historic Niña and Pinta.

As part of their social studies unit on early exploration, students spent the day exploring every corner of both vessels. From top deck to lower quarters, they gained a hands-on perspective of what life was like for 15th-century sailors.

To keep the journey interactive, students completed a hands-on scavenger hunt as they navigated the decks. Along the way, they learned key details about:

  • Shipbuilding & Anatomy: How these iconic caravels were designed, built, and navigated across open ocean waters.

  • The Crew’s Daily Life: The demanding jobs, daily routines, and challenging conditions faced by early maritime explorers.

  • Historical Impact: The broader context of global exploration and how these legendary voyages shaped world history.

Connecting textbook lessons to real-world artifacts gives students a deeper, more memorable understanding of history. Be sure to ask your student all about their fun field trip day.