Monique M. Chism, PhD

Smithsonian Under Secretary

for Education

We're just under 50 days away from the start of the 2023 Smithsonian National Education Summit! This highly anticipated annual event is dedicated to celebrating and empowering teachers, while showcasing classroom-ready Smithsonian instructional resources and strategies.

This month's e-newsletter features resources that revolve around the Summit's four distinct tracks: Life on a Sustainable Planet, STEAM Education, Reckoning with Our Racial Past, and An Integrated Arts Education. Each free resource comes with a recommended virtual or in-person Summit session that serves as a perfect complement.

Whether you’re planning to join us virtually or in-person, we look forward to welcoming you to the Summit. Our lineup of conversations is thoughtfully designed to inspire and bring new ideas to your classroom. Get ready for an extraordinary experience!

Life on a Sustainable Planet

“Environmental Justice!” Research Guide

This community research guide, developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center in collaboration with the InterAcademy Partnership, helps young people learn more about the concerns of their community in order to communicate accurate, helpful, and trusted information about environmental justice.

If you like this guide, check out the Summit session:  

“Partnering with Youth for Sustainability”

7/19  |  12:00 PM–12:50 PM EDT (online)

“Sustainability in Action” Activity Guide

This 12-page guide curated by a team of educators across the Smithsonian is filled with success stories in conservation; highlighting leading research currently underway; and featuring ways that generations across the country can contribute to Our Shared Future: Life on a Sustainable Planet.

If you like this guide, check out the Summit session: “Sustainability is Everyone's Business” 7/20 | 12:15 PM–12:45 PM EDT (in person).

STEAM Education

“Women in STEM” eBook Series

This series of eBooks by the Smithsonian Science Education Center feature biographies of trailblazing women who made history through their scientific discoveries and innovation. The short biographies highlight different paths, obstacles, and careers of women in STEM to inspire the next generation. Readers learn how women have defied gender and racial stereotypes and overcome structural barriers to advance the science, technology, engineering, and math industry.

If you like these eBooks, check out the Summit session:  

“Sharing Stories of Women in STEAM Careers”

7/19  |  1:00 PM–1:50 PM EDT (online)

“SEEC Stories” Early Learning Blog

The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center  (SEEC) educators have been using museums and community resources to enrich the lives of young children and provide a positive foundation for life-long learning experiences for over 30 years. Explore this blog to learn about SEEC’s teaching methods through interviews with educators and example projects, and be inspired to use objects in your own practice.

If you like this blog, check out the Summit session:  

“Full STEAM Ahead”

7/19  |  2:00 PM–2:50 PM EDT (online)

Reckoning with Our Racial Past

“Americans” Dialogue Toolkit

This toolkit by the National Museum of the American Indian provides basic grounding in the practice of dialogue and includes three 60-minute models that educators can use in connection with the Americans exhibition to facilitate dialogue with students. Use this toolkit to facilitate new conversations with and among students about the power of images and words, the challenges of memory, and the relationship between personal and national values.

If you like this toolkit, check out the Summit session:

“Teaching American History from a Native Lens”

7/19  |  2:00 PM–2:50 PM EDT (online)

7/20  |  1:15 PM–2:30 PM EDT (in person)

The Farmworkers' Movement Case Study

This educator “Civil Intersections” resource kit and capacity-building workshop developed by the Smithsonian’s Latino Center and Asian Pacific American Center aims to present U.S. Latino and Asian American regional and national histories to middle and high school educators who are looking to weave first-voice Latino and Asian American narratives and primary source materials into their curriculum.

If you like this toolkit, check out the Summit session:

“Our Evolving American Story”

7/20  |  2:00 PM–2:50 PM EDT (online)

An Integrated Arts Education

Teacher’s Guide: Emma Tenayuca

This collection by the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum explores the contributions of Mexican American labor activist Emma Tenayuca. Tenayuca became involved with worker strikes while still in high school and would be remembered as a significant Latina labor organizer for her efforts.  

If you like this collection, check out the Summit session:

“Breaking Learning Barriers with Latinx Changemakers”

7/19  |  1:15 PM–2:30 PM EDT (in person)

Get To Know Mark Bradford

This collection is a part of the Hirshhorn KIDS “About the Artist” series, designed for kids under age 12. Sharing these life stories and artworks can help kids see their own potential and better understand the world and their place in it.

If you like this collection, check out the Summit session:

“History Is Messy: How We Tell and Remember Stories”

7/19  |  2:00 PM–2:50 PM EDT (online)

Learning Together: Black Birders Week  |  National Museum for African American History and Culture

Celebrate Black Birders Week 2023 with NMAAHC Kids! During this virtual program, we’ll learn all about migratory birds with special guest birdwatcher and environmental educator, Dara Miles Wilson. Together we’ll discover the importance of migration for all of Earth’s creatures - humans included! - and get to know migratory birds from the newly reopened Bird House at the Smithsonian National Zoo with a painting project.

This Learning Together program will be held via Zoom webinar and led by a museum educator. Registered guests will receive an email with Zoom information, a list of supplies needed and recommended resources on the Monday before the program. Designed for children ages 5 and up.

Virtual event. Friday, June 2, 2023, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM EDT. Registration required.

Virtual Story Time  |  National Postal Museum

Join educators from the National Postal Museum for live, interactive story time. Educators will read stories aloud and lead related activities in a Zoom meeting for children and their caregivers. Explore a range of postal-related topics and more! Sessions will be interactive and last approximately 45 minutes. Caregivers are expected to be present with children for the duration of the program. Designed for children ages 3-6, but all are welcome!

Virtual event. Monday, June 5, 2023, 11:00 AM–11:45 AM EDT. Registration required.

Play Date at NMNH: World Ocean Day Celebration!  |  National Museum of Natural History

Come celebrate World Ocean Day with Play Date! Together, families will be invited to make observations of different ocean collection specimens, build different ocean landscapes for animals to explore through play, and create their own art inspired by Lindsay Olson’s textile artworks. Lindsay’s artwork is inspired by sounds and movement within the ocean, and we invite families to get creative in how they will use movement and sound in their own art.

On location event. Thursday, June 8, 2023, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM EDT

Storytime: Express Yourself  |  National Air and Space Museum

Join us for a reading of Oh No, Astro! by Matt Roeser and follow along with a grumpy asteroid as he collides with a satellite and gets thrown out of orbit. Learn about asteroids and meteorites and learn a few ways to detect meteorites in your rock collection.

Virtual event. Friday, June 9, 2023, 10:00 AM–10:45 AM EDT. Registration required.

Hello, Museo | National Postal Museum

Join educators from the National Postal Museum every other Tuesday for a bilingual program featuring music, stories, crafts, and gallery exploration. Designed for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers, but all are welcome!

Únase a los educadores del Museo Postal Nacional cada dos martes para un programa bilingüe que presenta música, historias, artesanías y exploración de galerías. Diseñado para niños de 2 a 5 años y sus cuidadores, ¡pero todos son bienvenidos!

On Location. Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 10:30 AM–11:30 AM EDT.

Young Portrait Explorers | National Portrait Gallery

Join our interactive virtual workshop for children ages 3-6 and their adult companions to explore portraiture, history, and culture. This thirty-minute program incorporates close looking at art, movement, and creativity. Learn new stories about changemakers, ranging from astronauts to activists, presidents to painters!

Virtual event. Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 11:00 AM–11:30 AM EDT. Registration required.

Juneteenth Freedom Celebration: Unity. Freedom. Acknowledgment. | Anacostia Community Museum

Join ACM on Monday, June 19  from 11am - 4pm for a day-long celebration as we gather with family, friends, and neighbors to honor the present and reflect on shared tradition and history. 

Activities include:

• Juneteenth Main Stage Curated Together with PorchFest DC- Southeast Edition, featuring local talent throughout the day. 

• East of the River Trivia

• Interactive activities with the National Portrait Gallery

• a Double Dutch contest

• Urban Gardening workshop 

On location. Monday, June 19, 2023, 11:00 AM–4:00 PM EDT. Registration recommended.

Folklife Festival | Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, established in 1967, honors contemporary living cultural traditions and celebrates those who practice and sustain them. The free Festival takes place on the National Mall June 29–July 4 and July 6–9. It is an educational, research-based presentation that features master artisans and other tradition bearers. We invite visitors to sing and dance along, try craft and game workshops, learn traditional recipes, ask questions, and take part in this unique cultural exchange.

On location. Starting Thursday, June 29, 2023, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM EDT.