Before we begin our weekend and Charlie gets out of school for Spring Break next weekend I wanted to share Homeschool Resources: Virtual Field Trip Resources with everyone.
I would like to let you know I haven’t had the opportunity to use these websites but I do plan on checking into them and if you have used them leave me a comment letting me know what you liked or disliked about the websites and why.
Virtual Tour of USS Nautilus
Age Range: 8-18 (Grades 3-12, with parental supervision) This website provides a free virtual tour of the USS Nautilus, the first U.S. nuclear-powered Submarine.
When you get to the site, click on the link to view the new 360° Flash-based virtual tours of the Museum, Museum Store and Historic Ship. Sit back and relax as you watch each part of the museum. Or you can stop it at any time and manually move around the different areas.
Back on the main page, you can also view other tours presented through photographs and text including: The Front Walk, The Main Hall, Main Exhibit Area, Medal of Honor, Gallery Topside and the Torpedo Room, The Wardroom and Officer Staterooms Historic Ship Nautilus Attack Center, The Control Room, The Crew’s Mess. When you’re through taking the tour, use the menu on the left side of the screen to learn more, including the history of the USS Nautilus.
Virtual Field Trip to Machu Picchu– Age Range: 9-18 (Grades 4-12, with parental supervision)
This website provides 360-degree panoramic views of the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru.
When you get to the website you’ll see a picture in the center of your screen and a welcome message below it. Scroll further down the landing page to read an overview of this virtual tour. Then, use the menu on the left side of the screen to see the panoramic view of each area of the tour that includes:
Funerary Rock
Royal Tomb
Inside the Tomb
Sacred Plaza
Sacred Rock
Central Plaza
Intiwatana
Condor Temple
Animals
Inca Trail
Click on any one and a new page opens. Below the picture, you can read interesting text that explains what you are seeing. Then click on the virtual tour to see the breathtaking panoramic photo-view.
This is an engaging way to explore a foreign destination without leaving home.
And for a more in-depth discussion, here is a longer virtual tour of Machu Picchu and speculation on the possible significance of its many features:
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George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Age Range: 10-18 (Grades 5-12, with parental supervision) February 22nd, according to many sources, is the birthday of the first U.S. President, George Washington, who was born in 1732.
To celebrate his birthday, take a tour of the home where President Washington and his wife, Martha, lived. The home is a mansion called “Mount Vernon” that was located on a plantation covering 8,000 acres of land. In the real world, it is a historical landmark and open to visitors. If you can’t get there for an actual tour, try this virtual tour of the mansion and grounds.
When you get to the site, click on any of the arrows and watch videos to learn about the history of Mount Vernon that includes some good biographical information on George Washington’s life and times as well.
YouTube – Ford Model T– Age Range: All (All grades; children with parental supervision) Don’t miss this one! This is a great video showing the first assembly lines at the original Ford auto plant.
When you get to the website watch the 5-minute video showing how the Model T Ford was manufactured. (There was no sound when we reviewed this.)
You’ll marvel at the speed and precision of the auto workers. We were blown away by the segment that shows how well the Model T negotiated every kind of driving terrain. (It may make you wonder why we can’t make cars like that today!)
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
