On November 9, 2024, Nauticus, the Maritime Discovery Center in downtown Norfolk, will reveal a host of new exhibits. Called Reimagine Nauticus, the new exhibits feature cutting edge technology with plenty of hands-on activities. Many of the new features incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fundamentals. The Nauticus team has cleverly designed exhibits that teach STEM fundamentals through sailing. We were lucky enough to get a sneak preview of the $21 million worth of improvements.
The redesign has made the lobby more welcoming. The aquarium at the entry has been removed, giving the space a much more open feel. The escalator to the top remains. However, when you step off at the top you enter a whole new world.
A partial life size sailboat will allow visitors to actually feel the tension on lines and control parts of the boat. The demo sailboat can also be used to instruct sailing program students in the summer. There are plenty of cam cleats to play with. Another exhibit demonstrates the points of sail. Visitors get to control a suspended sailboat through various points of sail as a fan provides the breeze.
In a similar fashion, visitors can sit in the “Be a Sail” exhibit, where they control a small sail themselves. It’s a great way to practice jibes. A balance table allows visitors to work together to keep a boat level. The art screen, which covers a wall, changes patterns depending on how visitors adjust the rudder and other vessel controls. There is a classroom, called the lab, which can be used for a variety of educational activities.
“We like to think of this space as a living classroom,” said Nate Sandel, Director of Education and Community Engagement at Nauticus. “Not only for our Sail Nauticus students, but also students visiting on field trips. Sailing is the hook, as this is really a celebration of simple machines.”
See the new exhibits in action:
It won’t all be STEM-related. A new section called Heart of the Navy will focus on the family side of Navy life, especially the isolation some sailors experience on deployments, and the communications they have with loved ones back home. “We want visitors to be aware of the sacrifices made by sailors,” said Cat Taterway, Associate Director of Marketing at Nauticus. There will also be an exhibit on the nearby commercial ports, and on the importance of import and export traffic in the region. Some new windows provide an incredible view of the Battleship Wisconsin next door.
The new exhibits cover 25,0000 square feet and cost $21.5 million. It was all made possible through donations by The Goode Family Foundation, The Batten Foundation, Laura and Jerrold Miller, Sentara, The Perry Family Foundation, and in Memory of Francis Martin Lindsay and Howard and Nancy Spainhour.
Nauticus offers a unique form of experiential learning for all ages. Nauticus uses the museum, Battleship Wisconsin, sailing center, and Schooner Virginia to tell the story of the maritime environment, industry, and the military. When the new exhibits open on November 9, admission will be only $5 per person that day if purchased in advance. They will be $10 each at the door. The makeover is a lot of fun, even for adults, so you might want to consider a membership. You can find out more here.
