Exploring Curiosity
Think about some of the remarkable discoveries that have been made over the course of history. The d...
Curiosity in the World
When you lean into your curiosity, you become more open to new experiences. While international trav...
Recipe Resourcefulness
Science works hard behind the scenes of nearly everything we do in our lives, including how we get o...
Resourcefulness and the Global Supply Chain
The coronavirus pandemic is testing our resources and our resourcefulness. Students have been forced...
Resourcefulness in History
In history, there are so many stories of resourcefulness. How did individuals or groups solve proble...
The Quiltmakers of Gee’s Bend
Challenging times and circumstances can push us to our limits. Thankfully, artists of all kinds – ...
Challenge Accepted!
Throughout history, we’ve been motivated by the desire to achieve what hasn’t been done, to ...
International Travel
Traveling often challenges us to immerse ourselves in a new environment, speak another language,...
Prehistoric Cave Painting
One of the unique traits that make us human is our need to express ourselves. Some forms of expressi...
How does your community recognize the legacy of veterans and other leaders?
Learn about numerous memorials around Washington D.C, and then create a memorial for an event or fig...
How Deep Do Your Roots Go?
What are the lasting traditions of your family’s cultural history? It’s time to explore your fam...
What Does Your Legacy Look Like?
Scientists are constantly asking questions, collecting evidence, and refining their knowledge. Thank...
Grow West, Young Man
Westward expansion saw the United States grow into a nation that stretched from coast to coast. Look...
Growth Happens
Learn how to start Kitchen Scrap Gardening and examine natural growth in unusual places! These activ...
Dance Moves Culture
Around the globe and throughout generations, dance has always played a fundamental part of what we c...
International Connections and Community Spirit
The International Center of Photography is inviting people from around the world to share their stor...
People Are a History of Connection
Now more than ever we need to stay connected as we are unable to be together in person. Consider th...
Become a Citizen Scientist
Amateur observers have always played an important role in helping scientists collect observations a...
What Does Science Tell Us About Time?
Consider the existence of time, through a telescope and microscope. Whether we can see it or not, ev...
Time savers
Across the world, maintaining cultural sites for future generations is an exercise in a special form...
Expressing Time with Art
Time has limits, and what happens between its start and a finish is a window into seasons, people, c...
Where Does Time Come From and How Do I See It?
How you might experience time compared to, say, anyone else on the planet, could be pretty similar...
Make Time for Movement
In a period of isolation and social distancing, staying physically active has never been more import...
Better Late Than Never?
Not usually. Learn how to shake the “I’ll do it laters” with this Ted Talk on Procrastinat...
World War II Memorial
World War II was the biggest and deadliest war in history, and more than 30 countries were involved ...
White House
At the turn of the nineteenth century, democracy was still a novel form of government and it was unc...
Washington Monument
Despite its construction being halted due to war and its structure damaged by natural forces, the Wa...
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was designed by Maya Lin, a 21-year old student from Yale University, ...
US Capitol Activity
At one point, the Capitol Building was the geographic center of Washington, D.C. Today, it remains a...
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The factors that led to the rise of the Nazi Party and eventual appointment of its leader, Adolf Hit...
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Early efforts at establishing a museum dedicated to the accomplishments and history of African Ameri...
National Portrait Gallery
While the Smithsonian Institution is commonly associated with its more famous history and natural sc...
National Archives
Did you know that the National Archives consist of dozens of facilities spread across the country? B...
Mount Vernon
The land that Mount Vernon occupies was first owned by the Washington family as early as the 1670s. ...
Lincoln Memorial
Honest Abe hardly needs an introduction. The president who held the union together and brought slave...
Library of Congress
Did you know that the Library of Congress is the largest library in the world and the oldest federal...
L’Enfant and Urban Design
How did a French painter come to be the designer of Washington, D.C.? Discover the life and story of...
Korean War Veterans Memorial
What do you know about the history, significance, and symbolism of the Korean War Memorial?
FDR Memorial
The longest-serving president, FDR (as he was commonly known) served a record four consecutive terms...
Jefferson Memorial
Thomas Jefferson may be best known as our third president, but he also accomplished many other feats...
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
MLK is the first African-American and one of the few non-presidents to be memorialized on the Nation...
Arlington National Cemetery
Located in Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., the national cemetery of the Un...
National Museum of American History
The Smithsonian Institution is often referred to as “the nation’s attic,” due to its diverse c...
National Air and Space Museum
This is the most popular museum in Washington, D.C. In fact, it’s the second most popular museum i...
National Museum of Natural History
Opened in 1910, this museum traces its origins back even further, to the founding of the Smithsonian...
How Can Music Evoke Emotion
Often, music is both written and listened to because it has meaning. Pieces/lyrics are written to ex...
Censorship Activity
Censorship is more than strict rules against nudity or the bleeps heard when someone curses on radio...
Endangered Species Social Media Activity
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) provides a program for the conservation of threatened and endangere...
When the Going Gets Tough
What challenge might you take on if time, money, and the required preparations were not obstacles? I...
Good Vibrations
Learning about new, interesting global music can make you a better musician by introducing new style...
Powerful Portraits
It's been said that a picture is worth a thousand words...but what are portraits trying to tell us? ...
Renewable Energy
In the United States, just over 11 percent of energy consumed is produced by renewable sources. The ...
Weather, Climate, and Energy Worksheet
This mini-lesson worksheet is optimized for teaching students about global change as it relates to W...
7 Interesting Facts Videos
We’ve pulled together some interesting facts about some of the many places that you can travel to ...
Your Carbon Footprint
Studies show that human activity is causing major changes to Earth’s climate. Leaders in environme...
Lesson Plan - Annotated Photo Journal
Students will understand that photographs with annotations can send specific messages.
Lesson Plan - Google Tour
For teachers who want to inspire wanderlust in their students! This lesson plan, adapted for virtual...
We the People
Are government elections always fair? Should the Constitution be changed to place term limits on mem...
Resource Guide for Athletes
Designed specifically for the student athlete, this reference guide has some helpful links you can a...
Marine Invertebrates
In this question and categorization exercise, you'll learn more about marine invertebrates and their...
Why are Animals Important
In this assignment, you'll answer the question "why are animals important." Your presentation will a...
Nature Writing
Annie Dillard's essay on mangrove trees is your inspiration as you get a glimpse into the world of a...
Virtual Tours and Cams
This handy reference guide provides a listing with links of some of our favorite virtual tours and w...
Box By Box
A Ted Talk by Hans Rosling serves as the inspiration for this exercise around global population grow...
Our Loss of Wisdom
Using a TED Talk by Barry Schwartz as inspiration, in this assignment you'll describe a situation in...
The Time 100
This activity challenges you to think about the 100 Most Influential People list published each year...
In My Life
Are you listening to music or actually hearing it? In this exercise, you'll deepen your understandin...
Time Capsule
In this activity, you'll write a letter to future students about the time capsule you created and wh...
Melodies on My Mind
Music can play a big role in your life and your memories.  In this activity, you'll write how music...
My Generation
Using Terry Kim's quote as your inspiration, you will discuss the impact that technology will have o...
Population Clock
Using the US Census website for your inspiration, in this activity, you'll think about the possible ...
Fair Play
Watch former Wimbledon Doubles Champion talk about the concept of fair play before writing your own ...
Your Code of Conduct
After reading Brandon Cullen's TED Talk "Life Lessons from the Minors,", this activity will challeng...
UN Millennium Development Goals
In this activity, you'll create your own social media campaign to address the issues highlighted in ...
Water Testing
This is an activity taken directly from our Habitat H2O Discovery Journal.  You'll learn about wate...
Ways to Honor those who Served
In what ways can we honor those who paid the ultimate price? In what ways can we honor all soldiers ...
Civic Engagement
In this activity, think of and pray about an issue or policy in your school that you would like to c...
Compare Leaders
In this activity, you'll think through the different leaders that have influenced you. Compare two l...
Your Future Self
In this assignment, you'll make a collage that represents your future self. In doing so, you'll refl...
Importance of National Documents
In this activity you'll answer 5 questions regarding the importance of our national documents like t...
Life of a Soldier
In this group activity, you'll find a military service member to interview then you'll compare your ...
Museum Renovation
Imagine it's the year 2030 and you have been given the job of renovating one of the museums in Washi...
Foreign Films
Films can provide a unique insight into foreign cultures and places. In this course for internationa...
Squid Dissection
In this activity taken from our Splash into Science Discovery Journal, you'll discuss dissections wh...
Smithsonian Science Resources
Here are some of our favorite science resources straight from the Smithsonian Learning Lab.  We hop...
Uncovering America’s Indigenous History
Several of the Smithsonian Museums offer exhibits and displays that tell the stories of indigenous p...
California State History - Fill in the Blank Activity
This fun fill in the blank activity will cover many of the more famous facts, figures, and locations...
California State History - How Government Works
This activity sheet, taken from the California State History Discovery Journal, looks at the three b...
California State History - Sutter's Fort
This fun activity taken from our California State History Discovery Journal looks at Sutter's Fort a...
California State History - Transcontinental Railroad
This exercise looks at the Transcontinental Railroad:  a timeline of it's history and it's impact o...
Climate Threats and Technology
In this activity, you'll look at the major threats to the sustainability of life on Earth and the sa...
Implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Throughout a series of questions, you'll ultimately answer the question of how emerging technologies...
Volcanic Myths and Legends
After you read an article by the BBC, in this activity, you'll consider the following questions:  H...
Scientific Management
In this week long activity, you will look at Taylorism, known as scientific management. Henry Ford u...
Should I Stay or Should I Go
After watching the video and two articles provided, consider the following questions as it relates t...
Living in an Intelligent World
Is artificial intelligence always a good thing?  In this exercise, you'll read this article regardi...
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Spend some time exploring the UNESCO World Heritage website. Now, it’s your turn to propose the ne...