STEAMSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
LOCAL NONPROFIT OFFERS DISTANCE LEARNING WITH A MARITIME FLAIR
Lessons take advantage of unique archive located in Warwick
The content available online may seem endless these days, but most parents know it’s only a matter of time until they hear those two dreadful words: I’m bored. Take them on a trip around the world and show them the technology that helped transform the nation with the STEAMing Into The Future website
The Steamship Historical Society of America (SSHSA), located on Post Road in Warwick, has been ramping up its educational efforts with loads of alternative enrichment activities and lesson plans for educators, students, parents, and anyone interested in broadening their knowledge base. The lessons tell the stories – past present and future – of maritime industries and discoveries, as well as related areas of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math).
Learn about buoyancy by building Lego boats. Find out how one woman’s stand against segregation aboard the SS Columbia helped pave the way for the landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. Spend some time learning about the challenges that many of our ancestors faced in trying to immigrate to the United States in the 19th century. It’s all available at
“We have been working for years to make our remarkable collection available to a worldwide audience, and we hope that STEAMing Into The Future is an asset for parents, teachers and students during this unprecedented time,” SSHSA Executive Director Matthew Schulte said. “By gaining a clear understanding of the way that steam engines revolutionized immigration, trade and leisure in the 19th and 20th centuries, we can better prepare the next generation for the changes that await us in the 21st century and beyond.”
Lessons can be done in parts to occupy one hour of time or expanded across multiple days, depending on how deep one delves into a topic. Many sections of SSHSA’s STEAM and social studies education modules use primary and secondary sources directly from our collections and maritime reference library. They also feature guided questions, links to additional lessons on the topic, extension activities, and education standards.
This program is available thanks to local and federal grants, as well as donors and supporters who see the value in providing free educational tools to parents, teachers, and students in the Ocean State and beyond.
If you are a parent looking for more information about the program or a teacher looking to implement the lessons in your classroom, contact SSHSA Education Coordinator Aimee Bachari at
STEAMSHIP SAVANNAH
About SSHSA: The Steamship Historical Society of America was founded in 1935 by seven amateur steamship historians. Eighty-five years later, it has grown to become the world’s leading organization on the history of engine-powered vessels, with 2,500 domestic and international members.