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Teaching and learning resources from the Smithsonian. For our Privacy Policy: http://www.si.edu/Privacy

Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, consisting of 21 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research facilities. Smithsonian Education is produced by the Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology with contributions by educators from across the Smithsonian. We hope you’ll contribute to this interactive forum and

06/18/2026

The Smithsonian National Education Summit is BACK—and better than ever!

Join us for the 2026 Smithsonian National Education Summit, bringing you three unforgettable days of connection, inspiration, and learning.

Whether you join us online or in person, here is a snapshot of what is waiting for you this year:
🌟 17 Exhibitors from across the entire Smithsonian Institution.
💻 20 Virtual Sessions accessible from anywhere in the world.
🏫 27 In-Person Sessions for hands-on, collaborative learning.
✍️ Exclusive Book Signing with renowned political scientist and researcher, Dr. Hahrie Han.
🏆 A Historic Milestone: We are honoring our very first recipient of the Smithsonian Educator Excellence Award during our special evening reception!

📅 Save the Dates: July 14, 15, and 16, 2026
📍 Where: Join us online or in person!

Secure your spot today to transform your teaching practice and connect with educators worldwide.👉 Register here: https://s.si.edu/EducationSummit2026

06/17/2026
06/17/2026

As the school year ends, it's the perfect time to plan your summer professional development! Join thousands of educators online or in D.C. for the free Smithsonian National Education Summit, July 14–16, 2026.

Tying into the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary, this year's conference features 40+ sessions led by Smithsonian educators that will leave you inspired for next fall.

Registration is free, but space is limited. Reserve your spot today and share with a colleague: https://s.si.edu/EducationSummit2026

06/15/2026

A huge thanks to Maryland’s PAC 14 for their interview with Dr. Monique M. Chism, Under Secretary for Education at the Smithsonian. Their discussion highlighted ways local Marylanders can connect with all the Smithsonian has to offer—from our museums, to our digital resources, to connections in the community.

📺 Watch here: https://youtu.be/0JqKs7Ti8xE?t=1458&is=EG9pXwKW2kBPYEZL

Plus, don’t miss these free education resources and programs mentioned in their interview:
🍎: 2026 Smithsonian National Education Summit https://s.si.edu/EducationSummit2026
📝: Civic Education at the Smithsonian https://s.si.edu/civic-education
👩‍💻: Smithsonian Learning Lab https://learninglab.si.edu
🏛️: Paid Internship Opportunities https://internships.si.edu

06/15/2026

Free registration is now open for the 2026 Smithsonian National Education Summit! Join us online or in-person in D.C. for over 40 sessions designed to prepare educators for the nation’s 250th anniversary. To view the session line-up and to register, visit https://hubs.ly/Q04gcQPt0

2026 National Teacher of the Year To Headline Smithsonian’s National Education Summit 06/15/2026

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve expanded programming for the 2026 National Education Summit, adding new sessions and keynote speaker Leon Smith, the 2026 CCSSO - The Council of Chief State School Officers National Teacher of the Year. The three-day event will take place Tuesday, July 14, through Thursday, July 16, in Washington, D.C., and online.

Smith, who also was named the 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, teaches AP U.S. history and AP African American studies at Haverford High School in Havertown, Pennsylvania. He will deliver the keynote session “Unlocking the Potential in Every Student.”

Known for his emphasis on critical thinking, civic engagement and elevating student voices, Smith brings a dynamic classroom‑tested perspective on how young people learn and lead. The keynote will be presented in person at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (DC Public Library) and livestreamed for online participants.

Read the release: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/2026-national-teacher-year-headline-smithsonians-national-education-summit

2026 National Teacher of the Year To Headline Smithsonian’s National Education Summit 2026 National Teacher of the Year To Headline Smithsonian’s National Education Summit News Release June 15, 2026 Leon Smith, 2026 National Teacher of the Year, will be a keynote speaker at the summit. Media Contact Benjamin Marcus envelope [email protected] phone 202-633-5194 The Smithsonian has ....

06/12/2026

Whether in a classroom or after school, civic learning opens students’ eyes to diverse perspectives, from the past, through objects, and among each other. Three of the Smithsonian Institution's signature civic education programs focus on building students’ critical thinking skills to incorporate others’ opinions when contemplating change.

Through a collaboration with 4-H, Stories 4-History teaches youth to create a video story, documenting the places and people that shape their communities. Youth for Unity: Teen Changemakers is a curricular collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, that uses historical case studies to connect the stories of inspiring teens from the past to contemporary issues facing youth today. In the Democracy in Dialogue Virtual Exchange program, young people from different corners of the country connect online, to learn about and exchange ideas on what makes their communities similar and unique.

All of these programs offer practical lessons to educators for object- and archive-based learning, and for using neighbors and peers as sources of insight. Student successes show that when given the tools and opportunities, students transform their concerns into action, becoming catalysts for civic dialogue and positive change.

Explore a range of Smithsonian programs, resources, and stories that demonstrate strategies to engage youth in civic dialogue and action: https://s.si.edu/civic-education

06/11/2026

Students identify an issue in their community that they feel passionate about changing. Now what?! Kim Robledo-Diga, Director of Learning and Audience Engagement at the Cooper Hewitt explains how to use the design process to promote civic action.

The Designing for Change Toolkit for educators can help, with practical worksheets and strategies to turn ideas into action, transforming students into changemakers. Developed by the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in collaboration with Museum on Main Street, the Designing for Change program uses the design process to help students define a problem or need, and execute the solution they create themselves. Experience how the Toolkit brought together high school students and community experts in rural Michigan to create delicious new connections in the “Food, Community, and Conversation” story on s.si.edu/civic-education.

Explore a range of Smithsonian Institution programs, resources, and stories that demonstrate strategies to engage youth in civic dialogue and action: https://s.si.edu/civic-education

06/10/2026

How do the stories we tell about our past shape our democracy today? How can students take political action and influence elections even before they can vote? These are some of the questions posed in National Youth Summits, an annual program that brings together students, scholars, policy experts, teachers, and activists nationwide to wrestle with issues facing youth today.

Megan Linehan, Education Specialist at the National Museum of American History, describes how annual youth summits connect historical events to contemporary issues. Guided by the advice of a Youth Leadership Team and through the partnership of Smithsonian Affiliations across the country, National Youth Summits focus on a pressing issue such as educational opportunity, civil rights, and more. Through synchronous and asynchronous opportunities, educators can use a topical Toolkit that provides historical case studies and prompts to meaningfully join a Summit discussion, or to host one of your own.

Explore a range of Smithsonian programs, resources, and stories that demonstrate strategies to engage youth in civic dialogue and action: https://s.si.edu/civic-education

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