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Smithsonian Education

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A Treasure Trove of Online Education Resources From the National Museum of African American History and Culture Spans Art, Culture, History and Science

Hundreds of PreK-12 teaching and learning resources that support developmentally appropriate skill-building and leverage both well-known and lesser-known stories in American history are freely available online for use in the classroom and at home

Hard-copy of the FY2023 Smithsonian Education Impact Report held in someone’s hands.

2023 Education Impact Report Released

This past year, the Smithsonian Education community has worked tirelessly to solidify partnerships, launch innovative initiatives, and empower youth and educators alike

A black ink on a red-orange poster board with a small picture of Martin Luther King, Jr. at the top left and Joseph Lowery at the top right. The poster reads: [SCLC / INJUSTICE / Anywhere... / a threat to / JUSTICE / EVERYWHERE / M. L. KING].

Teaching a More Complete Picture of MLK

While Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech was a pivotal moment in U.S. history, there's more to his life and legacy than that single story. Smithsonian educators share approaches to expand classroom lessons and student understanding of this great civil rights leader.

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Heritage, Science, and Culture Take Center Stage with Discovery Theater Performances for Students

The Smithsonian makes learning come alive for visiting field trip groups through memorable and engaging theater performances

A person looking at a wall of posters in front of a building under construction

Inspiring Creative Changemakers

Six Smithsonian educators share techniques to help students creatively intervene and achieve community-based, transformative justice for social good

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Unpacking the Stories Behind Artist Bisa Butler’s Portrayal of the Harlem Hellfighters

Tips for teaching the layered World War I history of the 369th Infantry Regiment on their return from France

Playbill for "A Raisin in the Sun" with a black and white photo of playwright Lorraine Hansberry

Ten Education Resources to Explore this Women’s History Month

From videos to lesson plans and podcast episodes to coloring books, an educator from the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum shares her top picks for teaching and learning this Women's History Month.

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How Art Can Foster Social-Emotional Awareness for Our Students (and Ourselves)

Museum educators at the National Museum of Asian Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum have developed programs to equip teachers and students alike with strategies to slow down. This programming has guided participants in appreciating art, checking-in with themselves, and developing empathy.

A large outdoor space is filled with human-sized colorful cardboard structures. In the background, the Hirshhorn Museum and Smithsonian Arts and Industries building are visible.

Student Artists Build an 'Enchanted City' at the Hirshhorn Museum

Local elementary students tapped into their innate skills of building and imagining to design their own playful city at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

This illustrated page from comic book Chickaloonies: First Frost shows the Grandma character seated by a fire telling a story to three children seated in the foreground.

Intergenerational Creativity and Learning through Indigenous Comic Art

Combining comic art, Athabascan heritage, and Smithsonian collections brings a unique, contemporary spin to traditional storytelling that’s been passed down over generations and offers new learning opportunities for today’s youth.

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Diverse and Inclusive Educational Resources for the Music Classroom and Beyond

While music has often been relegated to the edges of the curriculum in the U.S., there are many inspiring examples of how learning about, appreciating, playing, and creating music enhances children’s lives, and helps them navigate the complex world around them.

Distinguished in a high-collared, red shirt and gold jewelry, Alma Thomas wears her hair up and looks directly at the viewer. Her arms are crossed loosely, and she sits before a green background.

Three Takes on Alma Thomas as an Artist, Civil Rights Advocate, and Lifelong Learner

What if the world was changing all around you and you could catch the most exciting, inspirational, and beautiful bits on canvas? While facing change and challenge, artist Alma Thomas found beauty all around. This article takes three views of her life and art to uncover surprising complexity in her vibrant paintings.

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Equipping the Next Generation of Radical Optimists in an Era of Uncertainty

A new series of creativity and critical thinking exercises from the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum offers educators prompts, visuals, and big ideas to support student reflection and speculative thinking.

Smithsonian EdX Course for Teachers

Ten Ready-to-Use Resources for Your Teaching Toolkit

During the Smithsonian's inaugural Educator's Day program, teachers learned about classroom-ready tools, transferable teaching approaches, and opportunities for ongoing professional learning.

A sampling of the creative projects inspired by artworks and artmaking techniques found within the Hirshhorn’s collections, available from the “Hirshhorn Kids at Home” series. (Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden)

Fun (and Free) Ideas to Keep Kids Learning This Summer

Over 20 unique and creative ideas from across the Smithsonian for engaging learners this summer

The digital realm is not limited by the dimensions of the museum walls and instead brings learning experiences to visitors of all ages in new and exciting ways. (Smithsonian American Art Museum)

When the Physical World Meets the Digital World, New Realities Emerge

AR/VR technologies give audiences new ways to experience museums that complement a traditional visit, engaging visitors and fueling learning opportunities

Through co-creation efforts with K-12 educators and Asian American community partners, the National Veterans Network, elementary and middle school educators, Asian Pacific American Center interns and National Museum of American History staff, learn more about the stories behind objects. (Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center)

What's Missing from Classrooms When Asian American and Pacific Islander Voices Aren't Included?

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) have been present throughout America’s past through migration, labor, activism, science innovation, art, literature, community organizing, and so much more. When AAPI stories and voices are missing from what students learn, grappling with our current moment of increased hate and violence, and thoughtfully discussing this with students runs the risk of becoming even more difficult without support and resources to contextualize what we are witnessing today.

Through Smithsonian programs, like ARTLAB and the National Youth Summit, museum educators demonstrate how adult mentors can elevate the voices of teens in their communities. (Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden)

How Educators Can Boost and Activate Teen Voices

Smithsonian educators, dedicated to amplifying the voices of teens, share their suggestions on how to support young leaders’ efforts without disrupting their individual agency.

A participant from Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum's

Understanding the Power of Primary Sources through Home, Hand, and Heart

Primary sources provide learners of all ages with opportunities for deep engagement. Staff from across the Smithsonian share memorable moments in their work that have helped audiences activate their senses, make deep connections to people of the past and see their own home in new ways.

At the Smithsonian, educators have used the pedagogy of game-based learning to create innovative programs and activities that open the door to vast content and collections for learners of all ages. (National Museum of Natural History)

Changing the Game with Game-Based Learning

Learn how museum educators at the Smithsonian are going all in with game mechanics for learning and embracing the playful, experimental side of education through the structure of familiar games.

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