Design, Build, Sail!

Presented by The Batten Foundation

Perched on the banks of the Elizabeth River, the gallery offers a stunning view of the water and the Sail Nauticus sailboat fleet. This modern facility combines visual appeal with a rich, interactive learning environment.

Students and visitors engage with dynamic exhibits that make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) principles come alive. Hands-on activities teach key concepts like hydrodynamics, exploring fluid motion; aerodynamics, understanding airflow and sailboat propulsion; and buoyancy, discovering why objects float or sink. Through these interactive experiences, visitors gain a practical grasp of the science behind sailing and marine exploration, all set against the beautiful backdrop of the river.

Don’t Miss These Interactives!

harbor 20

Step Inside A Harbor 20

Sculpt the pellets and observe how your movements impact the landscape and its features such as hills, valleys, and rivers.

Step into a life-size Habor 20 sailboat and experience the thrill of pulling the sheets firsthand. Watch as the sail moves in and out with each pull, giving you a taste of what it’s like to control the wind’s power.

Inventive

A Masterpiece On Water

Soar as high as airplanes or take a trip to the international space station in an exciting hot air balloon simulator. Test your map making skills and learn from local innovators such as DroneUp.

Soar as high as airplanes or take a trip to the international space station in an exciting hot air balloon simulator. Test your map making skills and learn from local innovators such as DroneUp.

Sailing is much more than a mode of transportation; it’s an intricate dance, a symphony of elements, where wind, water, and skill harmonize to create something truly beautiful. Like a finely crafted piece of art, sailing is a masterpiece in motion—an exquisite interplay of forces that requires both technical prowess and an appreciation for nature’s raw beauty.

Inventive – Drone Up

Design A Sail

Soar as high as airplanes or take a trip to the international space station in an exciting hot air balloon simulator. Test your map making skills and learn from local innovators such as DroneUp.

A sailboat is made up of many essential parts, each playing a unique role in its ability to move through the water. The sails harness the wind, transforming it into the boat’s motion, while the anchor provides stability when needed. The hull forms the main body, helping the boat stay afloat and move smoothly. Every component, from the rigging to the keel, works together, each contributing to the boat’s overall function and character, creating a balanced and capable vessel.

Magical Books

Be A Sail!

Watch as moving pictures appear on the screen as you read along with “magic books” featuring daring and resilient individual from Norfolk’s history.

Sitting in a chair, you can imagine the feeling of being on a sailboat, where the wind becomes your guide. Just as a sailboat adjusts its sails to catch the wind, you can feel how shifting the angle of the sail changes your direction. When the sail is positioned correctly, the wind flows smoothly, pushing you forward. If the angle is off, the wind resists or slips by, and your movement slows. It’s a simple yet powerful reminder of how something as invisible as the wind can steer you, depending on how you choose to face it.

Points of Sail

Points of Sail

Watch as moving pictures appear on the screen as you read along with “magic books” featuring daring and resilient individual from Norfolk’s history.

Points of sail refer to the different angles a sailboat can take in relation to the wind. Each point of sail requires adjusting the sails to make the most of the wind’s direction and power.

Sails

Pulley’s & So Much More!

Discover what home means to you and reflect on the spirit and drive of your own city.

Dive into hands-on fun with STEM activities like steering ships, climbing a crow’s nest, and navigating a sailboat through high winds. Explore the science of sailing in a whole new way!