The National Museum of the Marine Corps: Education

Marine Corps History Traveling Teaching Trunks
Teachers who are unable to bring students to the Museum can arrange for one of our education specialists to deliver “hands on” learning activities to their classroom. Teaching trunk programs include: K-5 Colonial (1775-1781), World War II in the Pacific (1941-1945) and Marines in Vietnam (1965-1973). Programs last about an hour and are aligned with the Virginia SOLs. Please contact us at 703-965-3198 or complete the online reservation form to schedule a visit.

Elementary Teachers: Please click here for information about our K-5 Colonial teaching trunk program.

Middle and High School Teachers: Please click here for information about our 6-12 teaching trunk programs.

Family Days

The second Saturday of every month is “Family Day” at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Children of all ages are invited to participate in fun and educational events including arts and crafts, puppet shows, movies, and hands-on learning activities. Please check the calendar of events for more information about upcoming “Family Day” events.

Teacher Workshops
The Museum´s education department hosts teacher workshops in partnership with Prince William County Public Schools. Developed for elementary, middle and high school social studies teachers, these two-day workshops enrich participants´ content knowledge and familiarize teachers with Museum resources. Presenters include authors, historians, and Museum staff members who provide teachers with in-depth historical background and strategies for the classroom. Recent workshops have focused on the role of the Marine Corps in the Revolutionary War, World War I and the Cold War.

Teacher in Residence
The Teacher in Residence serves as a liaison between the Museum and Virginia school teachers. This program is funded by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation in partnership with Prince William County Schools. Responsibilities of this position include: instructing large student groups, assisting students with historical research, designing innovative curriculum for the Museum, training teachers in the effective use of Museum resources, and developing a network of educators to promote the educational mission of the Museum. For more information, please email the current Teacher in Residence.

Summer Programs for Children´s Groups
The Museum´s Education Department hosts free, one-hour children´s group programs every summer. Children participate in fun, hands-on activities about the history of the United States and of the Marine Corps. Engaging activities include puppet shows, crafts, child-friendly gallery tours and a playground visit. Programs are available June-August, Monday-Friday only and are appropriate for children ages 4-12 with a maximum of 25 children per program. Please click here for more information or call 703-965-3198 to make a reservation.

Arts Mentorship
The Museum´s education department sponsors an Arts Mentorship Program in cooperation with the Prince William County Schools fine arts department. This initiative is designed to promote careers in the arts for advanced level studio arts students. During the academic year, two Marine Combat Artists visit select Prince William County high schools and provide instructional assistance and help with portfolio development for students in advanced art classes. The combat artists speak about the unique challenges of battlefield art and offer insight into careers in the art field, helping aspiring artists to understand the “journey” of the professional artist.