Monique M. Chism, PhD

Smithsonian Under Secretary

for Education

As December unfolds, we are thrilled to highlight our curated resources that spotlight the diverse ways people around the world celebrate, connect, and come together during this special time of year.

This month's offerings include engaging winter and holiday crafts, insightful collections showcasing family traditions, and an interactive 'singing map' that features traditional holiday music from around the world.

We encourage you to explore these educational materials as a means to understand and appreciate the richness of holiday traditions and the spirit of tolerance they represent. This is a time to unite in the joy of the season and to celebrate the diversity that strengthens our community.

Wishing you a December brimming with learning, appreciation, and festive joy.

Applications Open for the Claudine K. Brown Internship in Education

The Claudine K. Brown Internship in Education is funded through an endowed fund in memory of Claudine K. Brown, an educator and influential leader of the Smithsonian. Awardees of the Brown Internship are appointed based on a demonstrated interest in the field of education and museum leadership. Internships are available for college students, including under-served youth. The deadline for applying is Friday, February 16, 2024 (5:00 p.m. EST).

Save the Date!

Can’t wait for the next Summit? Save the dates for next year's Smithsonian National Education Summit: July 16-18, 2024. More details are forthcoming and registration is anticipated to open in May 2024. In the meantime, revisit some of your favorite 2023 sessions here.

Celebrating Family Traditions

This Learning Lab collection co-designed by Nebraska elementary school teachers and educators at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art and Discovery Theater contains a month-long unit planning guide and associated resources to answer the compelling question, "How can family celebration traditions be the same and different?"

Grades PK–3. Includes Supporting Questions.

Winter Holiday Family Zone

Join the Smithsonian American Art Museum for a holiday-themed family celebration featuring online winter-themed crafting and coloring sheets that highlight artworks from SAAM’s collection.

Grades PK–6. High-touch activities.

NMAAHC Kids Introduction to Kwanzaa

Celebrate Kwanzaa with NMAAHC Kids! This video series explores the 7 principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba) with objects from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Grades PK–3. Video with high-touch activities. +en Español.

Happy Holidays, Air and Space Style

To help you celebrate this season, the National Air and Space Museum put together this list of holiday history and activities to add a celestial-spin to your December.

Grades K–12. High-touch activities, musical performances, holiday history.

Holiday Music Map

This "singing map" features traditional holiday music from the collection of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Includes 56 songs from 24 nations.

Grades K–12. History and Culture. Audio recordings.

Celebrate Hanukkah the All-American Way With This Menorah

Read about this Hanukkah lamp found in the collections of the National Museum of American History. It was created by Jewish immigrant Manfred Anson, who combined his pride as an American and his Jewish heritage in this uniquely designed menorah.

Grades 8–12. History and Culture.

Season's Greetings: Holiday Cards Exhibition

The cards featured in this exhibition by the Archives of American Art offer insight into how artists imagined the holidays. Use them as inspiration for your students to create their own hand-made holiday cards.

Grades 9–12. Art History.

Seasons of Light  |  Discovery Theater

Joy, warmth, and community illuminate seasonal holiday festivals the world over. This signature Discovery Theater show celebrates the history and customs of Diwali (Devali), Chanukah, Las Posadas, Ramadan, Sankta Lucia Day, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and the First Nations’ tradition of the Winter Solstice in an interactive extravaganza bridging communities and cultures. Grades K–5.

On location. Friday, December 1, 2023–Wednesday, December 20, 2023. Ticketing Required.

Art and Mindfulness for Calmer Classrooms Teacher Professional Development  |  National Museum of Asian Art

Learn and practice tools for slowing down to facilitate deep conversations through works of art. Engage in breathwork and movement practices to improve calm, focus, and regulation in the classroom. Learn to bridge slow looking at art and mindful movement together to create powerful connections within yourself and the classroom.

On location. Saturday, December 2, 2023, 2:00–4:00 PM EST or Saturday, March 2, 2024, 2:00–4:00 PM EST. Registration required.

Flights of Fancy Story Time: Wood, Wire, Wings  |  National Air and Space Museum

Join us for a reading of Kirsten W. Larson’s book Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane. Learn about this early innovator who improved upon the Wright Brothers’ design to create a more comfortable flying machine. What would you invent with a little wire, wood, and cloth? After the story we will create a toy that can move. Grades PK–5.

Online. Friday, December 8, 2023, 10:00–10:45 AM EST. Registration required.

Play Date at NMNH: Exploring Color with Insects  |  National Museum of Natural History

During the month of December, we will be exploring color! Each week, families will explore color through different natural history themes. Come play, make art, and make up-close observations of colorful specimens! Grades PK–2.

On location. Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM EST.

Suited for Survival  |  Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

This program is part of Conservation Classroom, a collection of monthly lessons aligned to Next Generation Science Standards for grades K-5. Each month we explore a new life science or earth science topic and meet some of the National Zoo's animals to learn about animals and the environment. Visit the Zoo's school program page for more information and additional resources for Conservation Classroom.

Online. Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 2:00–3:00 PM EST. Registration required.

Explore More! in STEM: Having Fun with Frequencies  |  National Museum of African American History and Culture

Explore More! in STEM is a classroom program for ages 8+ to explore STEM concepts in relation to African American history, culture, or the museum. In this lesson, people will learn about sound, frequency, famous African American electric guitarists, and how electric guitars work.

On Location. Tuesday, December 19, 2023, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM EST.