E-learning resources
The National Maritime Museum seeks to promote online learning as an extension of the Museum's collections. We offer a growing range of online activities, resources and information through our websites. Use the navigation on the left or browse below to visit the resources.
KS1 & pre-school | KS2 | KS3 | KS4 & post-16
Key Stage 1 & pre-school
Trim, the ships' cat (KS1 Literacy, History)
Read the amazing story of Trim, the cat who was born at sea 200 years ago. This illustrated tale (for 5–7 and 7–9 year olds) has links to the Museum's collections and provides a taste of life at sea.
Stories of the skies
(KS1 and above, Literacy, Science)
Have you ever looked at the glittering night sky on a fine evening and wished you could find all the weird and wonderful creatures that make up the constellations? We will guide you through the myths and legends behind the stars with a series of fun illustrations and narrative.
Make your own (KS1 and above, Art/craft)
With these fun activities you can get creative with great ideas for things to make and build. Our printable designs and models are ideal for anyone who likes a hands on approach to learning.
Key Stage 2
Sail safe – an introduction to safety at sea
Get your sailing skills the fun way with our new Sail Safe website. Take the Ocean Challenge and see how you fare on a dangerous voyage to the Caribbean.
Tudor exploration
(KS2 History)
Let our salty sea rats Sir Water Rowdant and Bilge guide you through the
dangerous and exciting world of Tudor exploration. Find out why explorers made difficult journeys to unknown places risking life and limb, and learn how disgusting it was on board a Tudor ship.
HTML/low-graphics version here
Time Pirates (KS1-3 History)
In the dim and distant future lives a mad, evil genius who wants to rule the past by destroying history. Help defeat the evil genius by exploring historical locations, playing games and following clues in this new educational adventure. Vikings online (KS2 History)
A collection of downloadable PDF documents specially written for teachers. They contain teachers' notes, classroom activities and clear illustrations to support children studying the Vikings as raiders, traders and settlers. The materials have been designed to be used as stand alone resources for the classroom, or to support a Vikings programme at the Museum.
The Adventures of Tintin at Sea
(Art, Literacy)
Join the intrepid Tintin and his friends on their exciting adventures. Have fun with our games, watch Tintin's creator Hergé in action and find out how to bring stories to life.
Key Stage 3
Your ocean
Find out about the impact of the ocean on our lives and the importance of sustaining it for the future. Try the interactives and games, join the debate and take positive action.
Freedom (KS3 History)
Find out about Britain and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the harsh conditions of enslaved life, resistance, abolition and the impact of slavery in our new KS3 History resource. Use the database of objects to look at the historical evidence. Create your own exhibition and have your say.
Trade and Empire (KS3 History)
Trade and Empire uses the NGfL-approved Search Station to support the KS3 History unit, Britain 1750–1900. Resources include:
- comprehensive teachers' notes
- online activities
- downloadable activities linked to primary sources links to objects in the Search Station
Key Stage 4 & post-16
Leading Lives: Leadership lessons from Horatio Nelson (A-level business studies)
A new
e-learning resource relating Nelson's leadership skills to modern business. It uses historic artefacts and quotations to explore how he made decisions, motivated his men and communicated in a crisis.
Accessible version here
Leisure, travel and tourism
Explore our free online resources for business studies and leisure, travel and tourism units at all levels. Materials include information, evidence and investigations relating to the operation of the Museum as a major tourist attraction. They are supported by a set of online and visit-based activities.
The customer service unit is now online.
Explore our free online resources for business studies and leisure, travel and tourism units at all levels. Materials include information, evidence and investigations relating to the operation of the Museum as a major tourist attraction. They are supported by a set of online and visit-based activities.
The customer service unit is now online.
GCSE Astronomy
Our GCSE course in astronomy is a non-advanced exam-based course open to anybody, with or without existing qualifications. It covers the whole of the GCSE syllabus, providing course materials for both students and teachers, with some example questions on the material presented.
Each module supports elements in the English National Curriculum at KS4 and the astronomy and cosmology elements of the A-level Physics syllabus. The third module is now online.
Stellar evolution (A-level astronomy and above)
Everything on Earth, with the exception of hydrogen and helium, was made in stars. We and our Earth are star dust or, if you prefer, the nuclear waste of 8000 million years of stellar evolution.
This is the story of the birth and death of stars, the origin of the elements and the fight of matter against gravity, a fight which gravity always wins.
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