Pampanito Submarine School, Where History Meets Science.
Join the crew of the USS Pampanito (more about the Pampanito) and learn the workings of WWII
submarine technology. During their 17-hour "patrol", students explore and
experiment with the basic scientific principles that enable a submarine
to work.
A submarine is a most unique sort of vessel. The Pampanito was
designed for a very special purpose: to travel on long patrols independent
of support from other naval vessels and carry a large crew to operate her
varied and complicated equipment in often hostile environments--and to
do it submerged part of the time! To accomplish this, the submarine's designers
had to answer a variety of questions, such as how to make the submarine
dive, how to propel it, how to navigate, and how to communicate inside
the boat and out. How could they make the submarine do all these things
and at the same time make it habitable and as comfortable as possible for
its crew? The answers to these basic questions lay in the realm of science.
Science was used to address virtually all the design challenges submarine
builders faced. In this way, the USS Pampanito presents teachers
and their students an unusual platform for the study of a variety of topics
spanning the physical sciences: Force & Motion, Electricity & Magnetism,
Energy, Light, and Sound. In fact, most of these topics can be directly
correlated with content outlined in the Science Framework for California
Public Schools. The various systems and their components for operating
the submarine are each examples of the application of science:
Objectives
Students will:
explore practical applications of scientific concepts using an interdisciplinary
approach
develop specific science skills
develop teamwork and social skills
Scenario
Students board the USS Pampanito and are presented with 5 hands-on
science stations. Four of the stations have staff members to supervise
activities. The "Making a Chemical Battery" station is taught by the teacher.
Students are given individual notebooks (supplied by the Pampanito crew) in which to keep notes and track answers. At the end of the program,
each student will receive a "Submarine Qualification" certificate. The
crew with the best over all accuracy will receive an award at the end of
the program.
Timeline of program
Timeline approximate and subject to change.
3:30 pm Arrive and check in
3:50 pm Tour of submarine
4:30 pm Tasks begin
7:30 pm Dinner
8:30 pm Historic board games on Crew's Mess tables - BYO Game Pieces
10:00 pm Lights out
7:00 am All hands - Reveille
7:30 am Off load gear - Clean up
8:00 am Colors (raising the American flag), Awards Ceremony, Evaluation
8:30 am End
Outline of program
Stations:
Buoyancy - Make your own submarine
Sonar - Passive and active listening
Code and Navigation - Deciphering patrol orders and plotting course
Optics - Make a periscope
Chemistry - Make a battery
Program Logistics
Group Size & Cost: (MAXIMUM 35 STUDENTS) $2,160 flat fee - up to 27 students/7 adults. Add $80 per student for 28 - 35 students. 1-on-1 aides are no charge.
Season: Mondays Tuesdays and Thursdays, mid September through the first week of May