Original artwork by  Michael Massenburg, commissioned by Cecil and Miriam Fergerson, Art Education Consultant Services.  Enlarge in a new window (208k).

Youth Education and
Community Outreach

This section hopes to inspire children, parents and teachers alike. What better way to learn about our history and the people that are important to us?

Create a Ship
Suggested Grade Level: 5th Grade
View activities for other grade levels.

From the Doris Miller Activity Guide
(Courtesy of Austin Children's Museum)

Create a Ship
In 1973, a Knox-class frigate was commissioned and named in Doris Miller's honor.

USS Miller

The USS Miller at sea.  Enlarge in a new window (102k). Photo courtesy of Naval Historical Center The USS Miller Insignia.  Enlarge in a new window (60k). Photo courtesy of Naval Historical Center

Here are a few suggestions for creating a ship.

1. Name the ship after someone influential in you life.
Perhaps this person is a hero to you or to someone else.
2. Create an emblem that would distinguish your ship from all others.
3. Choose two words to describe the person you named the ship after
The two words Courage and Devotion are on the emblem for the USS Miller. These two words describe Doris Miller. What two words can you include in your emblem to describe the person you named their ship after?

Here are a few suggestions for building a ship.

Using construction paper cut out two ship shapes. Make the bottom flat. Glue the two shapes together along the sides of the boat.

Use either a styrofoam tray or cardboard to lie the ship on. Glue blue construction paper to the bottom to make a water-like effect. Then glue your ship on.

Using straw you can create a variety of sized poles for the ship. You can glue the straws to the boat or use tape. Using small ships of paper you can create other structures for the inside of the ship.