How the Smithsonian and 4-H Collaborate to Elevate Youth Voices in the Heart of the Nation’s Capital and in Hometowns Across the Country

An in-depth look at how the Smithsonian and 4‑H partnership invites youth across the country into museums as learners, creators, and civic changemakers

On a bright March morning in Washington, D.C., buses fanned out across the city, carrying teenagers from every corner of the country to a variety of Smithsonian destinations. Some followed the winding paths of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Others stepped into the iconic rotunda of the National Museum of Natural History featuring Henry the elephant or gazed upward beneath the historic aircraft of the National Air and Space Museum. Still others found themselves surrounded by quilts, a cow sculpture made entirely of butter, seed art, and stories of American craft at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery. 

Though their destinations differed, their purpose was shared: to experience what learning looks like when it moves beyond the 4‑H clubhouse and into America’s museums. These visits were part of a continuing partnership between the Smithsonian Institution and 4‑H—one of the nation’s largest youth development networks—formalized through a memorandum of understanding with the Smithsonian and the National 4‑H Council in 2022. At its core, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to civic learning, access, and youth engagement at a national scale. By embedding young people directly within museums, research centers, and learning spaces, the Smithsonian extends its educational mission while inviting the next generation to see themselves as part of the nation’s ongoing story of discovery. 

A Citywide Classroom 

This spring, Smithsonian educators partnered with national 4‑H convenings taking place in Washington, D.C., to create a citywide learning experience that transformed the institution into a distributed classroom. Rather than gathering in a single space, youth engaged with science, culture, and creativity across multiple Smithsonian sites. 

As part of the Ignite! by 4‑H Conference , teens visited four locations, each offering a distinct lens on learning. At the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, participants explored conservation science through habitat-based activities at the Migratory Bird Center and Bird House, examining the connections among ecosystems, migration, and human impact. 

At the National Museum of Natural History, everyday technology served as an entry point into global systems. Through the "Cell Phones: Unseen Connections" exhibition and hands-on learning in the Q?rius science center, youth explored how science, engineering, ethics, and natural resources intersect in the devices they use daily. 

At the National Air and Space Museum, participants engaged with the "Futures in Space" gallery and a planetarium program. Interactive activities emphasized aerospace science as a collaborative, human endeavor shaped by imagination and perseverance. 

At the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, creativity and community took center stage. Touring "State Fairs: Growing American Craft," youth encountered quilts created by fellow 4-H members and reflected on how creative traditions connect generations and regions. Across all sites, the experience underscored the Smithsonian’s role as a living classroom shaped by the communities it serves. 

Youth, Civic Memory, and the 250th 

That invitation—to see oneself within the Smithsonian—continued during a second visit connected to the USDA National 4‑H Conference. There, youth delegates engaged with federal partners, Smithsonian staff, and one another around questions of civic participation and community impact. 

Framed by the upcoming commemoration of America’s Semiquincentennial—the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence—the experience encouraged young people to look both backward and forward. More than a milestone, the 250th offers an opportunity to consider how democratic ideals are lived, contested, and renewed in communities across the country. 

Against that backdrop, delegates explored a central question: How can young people celebrate and commemorate the contributions of local changemakers? Through a youth-led presentation, participants identified individuals and organizations addressing community challenges through advocacy, education, environmental stewardship, the arts, and civic engagement. Hailing from California to Connecticut to Puerto Rico, delegates shared stories that highlighted the power of youth-centered, community-driven solutions. 

An Ongoing Partnership 

The Smithsonian Office of the Under Secretary for Education's Stories 4‑History program offers a powerful example of how this partnership continues beyond Washington. Designed for 4‑H youth ages 10 to 19, the six-month program supports civic engagement projects that amplify local stories of democracy. With guidance from Smithsonian experts and state and local 4‑H leaders, participants identify a local changemaker, conduct research and intergenerational interviews, and produce a five to ten minute video sharing their findings. The videos are then shared back with their communities through local town council meetings, Smithsonian affiliate-hosted screenings and panels (such as one that took place at the Mayborn Museum in Texas), and are accessioned into the collections of their local libraries, including a recent accession in Maine. Stories 4-History seeks to further empower youth voice, instilling a confidence that young people can participate in the betterment of their communities and that their voices matter.  

Beyond the Stories 4-History program, connecting with program leaders and participants during the National Conference offered a firsthand look at how these experiences are shaping young people’s sense of agency and voice.  
 
During the National 4-H Conference, the Smithsonian’s Office of Academic Appointments and Internships, Smithsonian Gardens, and the National Museum of American History collectively participated in the Youth Expo and Career Fair. Through these engagements, delegates learned about government service and future academic and career pathways within the Smithsonian. 

Taken together, these visits, programs, and convenings reflect more than a series of field trips or events. They demonstrate the potential of sustained partnerships between national institutions and youth development networks, where learning is place‑based yet nationally connected, deeply personal yet collectively meaningful. 

During the closing ceremony of the National 4‑H Conference, one senior leader referred to the “fifth” H of 4‑H: hope. It is our hope that by inviting 4‑H youth into the museum and research spaces of the Smithsonian, not only to observe history, science, art, and culture, but to see themselves within it, we reinforce a message that resonates far beyond Washington, D.C.: curiosity is welcome here, voices matter, and the next generation has a role to play in shaping what comes next. 

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Editor's Note: Join one of the co-authors of this article for the Smithsonian National Education Summit between July 14-16, 2026. Mariya Skurko-Chan will co-present an online session,"Stories 4-History: Fostering Civic Voice and Community Engagement through Film" with 4-H leaders from New Jersey and Florida on Tuesday, July 14 at 2:00 p.m., Eastern. More information about the session line-up and free registration is available here: https://s.si.edu/EducationSummit2026. 

Mariya Skurko-Chan | Read More

Mariya Skurko-Chan, a museum education specialist, has spent over a decade creating meaningful experiences for audiences of all ages, with a focus on empowering teens and amplifying their voices. Whether inspiring young designers at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum or guiding teens as they explore civic engagement through the Stories 4-History program, Mariya strives to instill the same confidence that a high school museum experience once sparked in her.

Tracie Spinale | Read More

Tracie Spinale is Lead Specialist, Education Initiatives & Partnership, in the Office of the Under Secretary for Education (OUSE), where she collaborates with colleagues and communities to create learning experiences, manage internships, and support education initiatives. With more than 25 years of experience as a cultural services educator, Tracie delivers multidisciplinary professional development, training programs, and educational experiences for both adult and youth audiences. Growing up in the American Midwest, she developed a love for museums and the outdoors, and she holds degrees in anthropology and museum studies.