Education & Learning

learning through exploration

Where History Meets Discovery

Draken Harald Hårfagre is more than an extraordinary Viking ship. She is a working platform for exploration, experimental archaeology, and learning through real experience.

A thousand years ago, Viking ships represented remarkable achievements in engineering, navigation and human ingenuity. By building and sailing the world's largest Viking ship sailing in modern times, Draken provides a unique opportunity to investigate how these vessels worked, what they were capable of, and what their achievements can teach us today.

Through international expeditions, educational outreach, public engagement, and hands-on experience, Draken connects history with science, technology, engineering, and the enduring human spirit of exploration.

Learning through real experience

At sea, historical questions become practical challenges. Through real ocean voyages, traditional craftsmanship and the experience of operating a large Viking vessel, we investigate how Viking Age maritime technology worked in practice — from shipbuilding and rigging to sailing, navigation and life at sea.

This is experimental archaeology in action. By testing historical knowledge and techniques under real conditions, Draken offers insights into the engineering, ingenuity, and seamanship that made Viking ships so remarkable.

For students and visitors, Draken makes history and maritime engineering tangible and accessible. For those who sail her, she offers firsthand experience of traditional seamanship, teamwork, problem-solving and resilience — demonstrating how learning through practice can connect the achievements of the past with the challenges of today.


Online learning and outreach

Draken's educational reach extends far beyond those who have the opportunity to step aboard. Through live online sessions and collaborations with educational organizations such as Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants, we have brought the ship, its crew and their experiences directly into classrooms around the world.

These interactive sessions have allowed students to ask questions and explore subjects ranging from Viking maritime history and traditional seamanship to ocean exploration and life aboard a working Viking ship. Reaching thousands of students and viewers, these initiatives make Draken's unique experiences accessible to audiences regardless of their location.

Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants — Live educational broadcast connecting Draken's crew with students in North America.

Public Engagement & Learning Onboard

Draken also brings maritime history and exploration directly to the public through guided tours, exhibitions and events at ports around the world.

Stepping aboard a working Viking ship offers visitors a unique perspective on traditional shipbuilding, maritime engineering and life at sea. Through encounters with the ship and her crew, visitors can discover the ingenuity behind Viking Age seafaring and the knowledge gained through Draken's modern expeditions.

These experiences have welcomed thousands of visitors over the years, including nearly 3,000 participants in guided tours during Draken's 2026 visit to Oslo.

Sail Training & Practical Seamanship

Some of Draken's most valuable learning takes place at sea. Through real voyages and active participation, crew members develop practical skills in traditional seamanship, from handling sails and rigging to rowing, navigation, and responding to changing conditions.

Sailing Draken requires teamwork, communication, leadership and trust. Working alongside experienced sailors, crew members learn to take responsibility, solve problems and collaborate in an environment where every individual's contribution matters.

By keeping these skills in active use, Draken helps preserve traditional maritime knowledge and pass it on to new generations of sailors. The experience offers something that cannot be fully taught in a classroom: an understanding of seamanship gained through practice, shared challenges, and life at sea.

Future Learning & Collaboration

Draken's work in experimental archaeology and maritime exploration offers exciting possibilities for developing new educational experiences that connect Viking Age ingenuity with today's challenges and opportunities.

We envision learning initiatives that encourage students to explore engineering, navigation, craftsmanship, and problem-solving through practical challenges, experimentation, and discovery. By investigating how Viking Age shipbuilders and sailors overcame extraordinary challenges, we can inspire curiosity, creativity and innovative thinking in new generations.

We welcome opportunities to collaborate with schools, universities, educational institutions and industry partners to develop engaging learning experiences that combine history, science, technology and the spirit of exploration.

Let's Explore Learning Together

We believe some of the most meaningful learning happens through curiosity, exploration and real experience.

Whether you're an educator looking to bring history and maritime engineering into the classroom, or an organization interested in developing innovative learning experiences, we'd love to explore the possibilities together.

Let's inspire the next generation of explorers, thinkers and innovators.

Explore an Educational Collaboration →