Monique M. Chism, PhD

Smithsonian Under Secretary

for Education

As we enter the month of March, Smithsonian educators highlight resources in honor of Women’s History Month and complemented by a rich array of other observances. Central to this month's offerings is an new online resource from the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum, dedicated to celebrating the monumental contributions of women throughout history. We also spotlight an innovative new historical fiction series featuring young Latinas, an engaging webinar on creating and using zines in education, a video series for teens exploring civic action, and a slice of “pi” history.

Finally, we've also provided a calendar of upcoming free and low-cost summer professional development opportunities. These are thoughtfully designed to enhance your ability to integrate museum resources into your educational practices and to foster a sense of community and collaboration among educators, allowing you to return to your classroom refreshed and equipped with new ideas and perspectives.

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.

Becoming Visible: Bringing American Women’s History Into Focus

Starting March 8th, the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum launches their first digital exhibition. It will introduce you to their work expanding the story of America by confronting how women’s histories have been recorded and remembered, lost and recovered.

Grades PK–12. Includes Activities, Events, and Stories. Education. Historic Moments.

Learning Pathways

Browse this interactive map to find world music curricular experiences from Smithsonian Folkways’ network of music educators. All lessons can be downloaded in PDF format.

Grades PK–12. PDF Lesson Plans. National Standards 1–9.

Jazz Education

Check out jazz tunes and stories from the National Museum of American History. Visit "Jazz Classes" to hear the elegant Duke Ellington, the scat singer extraordinaire Ella Fitzgerald, hoppin’ Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, and swingin' Benny Carter.

Grades PK–12. Interactive website. History. Music.

“Women in STEM” eBook Series

Designed to highlight the often overlooked role of women in STEM, this eBook series features biographies of trailblazing women who made history through their scientific discoveries and innovation.

Grades 6–8. Sustainability, +Español

Nuestras Voces

Witness Latino history through first-person diary tales. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino and Capstone, each historical fiction story in the Nuestras Voces series features a young Latino character’s experience during key moments in American history.

Grades 3–8. Plug-and-play/Stand-alone activities. Primary Sources. Social Studies, ESL/ESOL, Spanish, Arts

Taking Civic Action with Zines

In this live webinar by the National Museum of American History and Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology, explore how you can incorporate museum objects and art skills to engage your students civically through “zines,” handmade magazines meant for easy replication.

Grades 3–12. Interactive Webinar.

Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 4–5 PM EDT

Young People Shake Up Elections

In this playlist by the National Museum of American History, find five short videos about how young people have been a force to be reckoned with as they take action and stand in support of the issues that matter most. Also includes corresponding classroom resources.

Grades 6–12. Civics, Videos, Educator Guide, C3 9–12 Standards.

Pi Day Facts

As you celebrate the mathematical holiday Pi Day or 3/14, here’s a history of notable moments in the irrational number’s past from Smithsonian Magazine.

Grades 6–12. History and Culture.

Play Date: Save a Spider Day

Join early childhood educators at the National Museum of Natural History to celebrate the many wonderful ways spiders help our planet. Families will be able to explore through play, art, and select specimens from our collection.

Grades PK–2. In-person event.

Thursday, March 14, 2024, 10:30 AM – 12 PM EDT

Cherry Blossom Festival Page

Visit this page from the Smithsonian American Art Museum for a series of in-person and virtual cherry blossom-themed public programs, including the 11th annual Festival (Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 11:30AM–3PM), workshops, and hands-on activities.

Grades PK–12. Resource Website.

Cherry Blossom Resource Page

Celebrate the annual Cherry Blossom Festival with this array of programs and activities from the National Museum of Asian Art. Includes virtual tours, a video series on Japanese art objects, and online online Meditation and Mindfulness sessions.

Grades PK–12. Resource Website.

Learning to Look “Summer Teacher Institute” |  National Portrait Gallery

In this week-long educator professional development workshop, NPG curators, historians, and educators will model a variety of "learning to look" strategies—unique ways to hook and engage students when they look closely at portraits. Participants will learn how to "read" portraiture and use the artworks as a springboard into a more in-depth discussion about biography and history. Teachers in grades kindergarten-12 may apply as individuals or as part of a team. Priority will be given to social studies, English/language arts, and visual arts teachers.

On location Professional Development. July 8–11, 2024. Application Deadline: March 15, 2024

Summer Institutes for Teachers: Teaching the Humanities Through Art  |  Smithsonian American Art Museum

Spend four days in Washington, DC, refreshing your teaching practice with educators from across the country! Explore connections among American art, social studies, history, and English/language arts through immersive sessions with museum professionals. Walk away with a tool kit of practical strategies for integrating art into your curriculum, as well as lesson ideas developed by your learning cohort that you can immediately implement in your classroom.

On location Professional Development.

Two Institutes: June 24–27, 2024 and July 22–25, 2024. Application Deadline: April 1, 2024

Artful Movement: Educating Mindfully  |  National Museum of Asian Art

Refresh and renew yourself and your teaching at this summer professional development program for pre-K–12th-grade educators. Connect with educators to build resilience, inspire creativity, and improve routines for physical and mental well-being for you and your students. Practice and learn skills for slowing down, regulating the classroom, and developing social-emotional awareness through mindful movement, breathwork, art discussions, and reflection activities. 

On location Professional Development. June 24–26, 2024. Application Deadline: June 3, 2024.