For Educators

The Smithsonian offers many opportunities for learning in the classroom and at home. Teachers, parents, and students can follow their interests and learn together.

A wealth of digital tools support inquiry-based learning and active engagement to spark creativity and curiosity. The Smithsonian Learning Lab allows you to create personal collections and individualized educational experiences. The digital Game Center of the Smithsonian Science Education Center offers fun experiences for the young STEM learner. Smithsonian's History Explorer offers hundreds of free, innovative resources for learning about American history.  This very website allows for exploration of our nation's rich treasures, science, and shared history. Stay in touch with the quarterly Smithsonian Education News.

Whether you are a teacher, parent, or community member, we hope you will join us to increase and diffuse knowledge.

grid of collection objects

Learning Lab

Discover more than a million resources and create personal collections and educational experiences with the Center for Learning and Digital Access.
boy concentrating on project

Smithsonian Science Education Center

Transforming the learning and teaching of science for all students in the United States and throughout the world.
children with paint brushes

Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center

A model early childhood program that places children at the center of every experience.
SERC field trip

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Hands-on and inquiry-based learning for grades K-12 and teacher professional development.
math toy

National Museum of American History

History Explorer brings hundreds of free, innovative online resources for teaching and learning American history.
group project

Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation

Multimedia and print materials for classroom and home use related to invention and innovation, from the National Museum of American History.
pullman porter hat

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Programs and resources designed to ignite critical thinking skills and creativity, to generate self-pride, and inspire life-long learning for diverse audiences.
the moon

National Air and Space Museum

Information on educational activities as well as resources provided for classroom learning.
children in landscape

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Extensive and award-winning online resources, local and national programs, and professional development for teachers.
kente cloth

National Museum of African Art

Teacher workshops, videos for loan, and online curriculum you can use in your classroom.
lola montez portrait

National Portrait Gallery

Be inspired to use portraiture in your classroom. No matter what subject you teach—social studies, English, or visual arts— involve your students in creative and innovative ways.
textile pattern

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Find and create design-focused lesson plans, talk to educators from around the country, and more, from the Educator Resource Center.
lively painting

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Monthly professional development workshops, onsite ARTLAB+, online collection.
young man reading

Freer | Sackler Museums of Asian Art

Educational resources and events on Asian art and culture, as well as American art at the turn of the twentieth century.
stamp showing pony express

National Postal Museum

Field trips, classroom resources, professional development, and online resources.
moth illustration

National Museum of Natural History

Field trips, classroom resources, professional development, and online resources.
tiger

National Zoo

Educational programming for people of all ages. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional training are offered through the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation.
nebula

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Participatory micro-observatory, science education research, professional development.
spectrum and x-ray image

Chandra X-Ray Observatory

Astronomy, earth science, space math, sky map, and coding activities!
beaded sneakers

National Museum of the American Indian

Quarterly NMAI education newsletter, teacher-in-residence programs, educator programs and Summer Institute, online resources.
chinese wedding dress

Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

Guides for oral history interviewing techniques and project ideas, video and photos from the Folklife Festivals, and more.
record cover

Smithsonian Folkways

Extensive collection of world music, music history, music for children. Folkways Radio, videos, games and activities.
autumn leaves

Smithsonian Gardens

Community gardens, butterfly gardens, composting, growing orchids, teen resources, and more.
science students outdoors

Anacostia Community Museum

Extensive outreach, and community programs, citizen science and celebrations.
3d model

Smithsonian 3D

Free printable 3D datasets for iconic Smithsonian objects seeking inspired science or design students! Online viewing for classroom use.