I’m sure there are many out there who wonder why we believe boatbuilding is such a powerful education tool. Well, here are some of the reasons:
“Building boats develops a variety of skills and habits of mind transferable throughout life. Spatial thinking, nimbleness with three dimensional perception and recall is a key to academic success.
“According to the National Academy of Sciences, ‘We suggest that spatial thinking is at the heart of many great discoveries in science, that it underpins many of the activities of the modern workforce, and that it pervades the everyday activities of modern life’.
“Our testing shows that students’ spatial thinking skills grew by 56%. In addition to spatial thinking, building boats is a real-world application of mathematics.
“It also requires hand-eye coordination, safety skills, and above all, teamwork.”-Sarah Besse, Haley Pilot School 5th grade boatbuilding, Roslindale MA
• Practical Skills Development:
Students learn woodworking techniques, 3D design and modeling, CNC manufacturing, 3D printing and other maritime skills that can be applied in many fields.
• Teamwork and Collaboration:
Boatbuilding is a collaborative effort, teaching students the importance of working together, communicating effectively, and sharing responsibility.
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking:
Facing challenges during the building process encourages students to develop special and critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Leadership and Confidence:
Students are leaders, directing the team and taking on responsibility, building their confidence and leadership abilities.
• Sense of Accomplishment:
The satisfaction of completing a boat project, from start to finish, fosters a sense of pride and achievement.
• Academic Enhancement:
Boatbuilding can reinforce math, science, and other core subjects in a hands-on, engaging way.
• Career Exploration:
The program can expose students to the maritime industry and a range of potential career paths in marine trades such as shipbuilding, wood and fiberglass boat repair, engine service or related fields.
• Personal Growth:
The process can help students develop resilience, perseverance, and a sense of humore and self-efficacy.
• Cultural Appreciation:
By building traditional boats, students can learn about maritime history and the unique cultural heritage of New England and their city, Lynn.
• Community Involvement:
Through our alliance with Kayak and Sail Lynn, students work with peers and adult veterans in the boats they’ve built, along with a fleet of kayaks and boards.