A teacher demonstrates a lesson on an image of the globe on the floor while students sit and surround her.

Smithsonian for Educators

We're bringing the world's largest museum, education, and research institution to you. Discover resources for both students and teachers from across the Smithsonian.


Rainbow mosaic artwork by Alma Thomas.

Smithsonian Learning Lab: Discover, Create, and Share

Smithsonian Learning Lab is a free, interactive platform for learners and educators from pre-K to 12+. Discover the digital education platform that connects people to Smithsonian objects, resources, and stories.


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Nature & Wildlife

Logo with waves and text "Ocean Find Your Blue"
Ocean Portal Educators’ Corner
Activities, lessons and educational resources to bring the ocean to life for your students.
Entrance area of the National Zoo with two large lion statues surrounded by greenery
Conservation Classroom
A collection of free monthly lessons for K-5 students from the National Zoo.
A landscaped garden with yellow and flowers, foliage, a paved walkway, and a Smithsonian Gardens logo.
Smithsonian Gardens Lesson Plans and Classroom Activities
Resources for K–12 educators and students including lesson plans, posters, and hands-on activities on topics such as horticulture, history, and sustainability.
A logo with the text ‘60 years’ beside "Smithsonian Environmental Research Center."

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

We offer a wide variety of videos and hands-on activities and experiments for home and classroom use to help you get your students excited about environmental science! 

Explore our learning resources

Art & Design

Interior gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum with columns, paintings on the walls, and a large neon map installation
Smithsonian American Art Museum Teacher Guides and Resources
Discover how to integrate American art into your classroom.
Front entrance of the National Portrait Gallery with tall columns and wide stone steps
National Portrait Gallery Classroom Resources
The Portrait Gallery has a variety of resources for the classroom that have been developed to complement our exhibitions.
Exterior of the Hirshhorn Museum, a round concrete building with smooth gray walls and a glass entrance at the base
Hirshhorn
Explore art, learn about artists, and create unique hands-on projects inspired by your favorite Hirshhorn artworks.

Side-by-side view of the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, each with banners at the entrance and surrounded by greenery
National Museum of Asian Art Educator Resources
Consider this page your one-stop destination for curriculum guides, lesson plans, classroom posters, and more.
Exterior of the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum with autumn trees in front
Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum K-12 Classroom Resources
Yellow school buses lined up outside of a museum.

Plan A Field Trip!

The Smithsonian offers a wide range of opportunities for learning outside of the classroom. Many locations provide self-guided tours and additional educational resources to support your visit. Admission is free at all locations except Cooper Hewitt in New York City.

Explore Museums

Space, Aviation, and Innovation

Front entrance of the National Air and Space Museum with the sun overhead
National Air and Space Museum Learning Resources
Discover a rich collection of learning resource designed to spark curiosity about aviation, space, and STEAM topics.
The dome of an observatory among treetops.
The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian Educational Materials
Science educators at the CfA collaborate to develop curricula and associated materials to identify and address the needs of science educators and their students.
A graphic image of a lightbulb next to text that reads "The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation" and the Smithsonian logo.
Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
Want to be inventive at home or in the classroom? Try your hand at these fun digital activities!

Smithsonian Science Education Center

The Smithsonian Science Education Center connects classrooms around the world with the science, history, research, and culture of the Smithsonian. Through hands-on STEM curriculum, resources, and professional development programs, we inspire curiosity, empower K-12 educators, and ensure every learner has access to high-quality science education.

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Culture, Community, and American History

Front entrance of the National Postal Museum with columns, banners on each side, and illuminated lamps
Smithsonian National Postal Museum Curriculum Guides
Curriculum guides offer standards-based lesson plans and materials to aid in the exploration of museum themes and skills within the classrooms.
Front view of the National Museum of American History with banners, flags, and a fountain in the foreground
National Museum of American History Classroom Resources
Our educational resources are designed to align with national standards, inspire curiosity and wonder, and contribute to a more just and compassionate learning environment.
Exterior of the National Museum of the American Indian with curved stone architecture and a circular stone feature in the foreground surrounded by trees
National Museum of American Indian Lessons & Resources
Lessons and resources to transform teaching and learning about Native histories and cultures.

Adult learners in a classroom setting siting in front of laptop computers

Educator & Professional Development Resources

The Smithsonian offers a wide array of opportunities to help you incorporate museum learning about art, science, history, and culture into your teaching practice. Visit the links below to discover professional development resources from across the Smithsonian.

Interior gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum with columns, paintings on the walls, and a large neon map installation
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Professional Development Programs for Educators
Front entrance of the National Portrait Gallery with tall columns and wide stone steps
National Portrait Gallery
Teacher Workshops
Exterior of the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum with autumn trees in front
Cooper Hewitt
Professional Development Resources

Entrance area of the National Zoo with two large lion statues surrounded by greenery
National Zoo
Professional Development
Front entrance of the National Portrait Gallery with tall columns and wide stone steps
National Air and Space Museum
Educator Professional Development
A logo with the text ‘60 years’ beside "Smithsonian Environmental Research Center."
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Professional Development & Science Courses

Logo with sunburst and text "Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute"
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Teacher Training
Front entrance of the National Postal Museum with columns, banners on each side, and illuminated lamps
Smithsonian National Postal Museum
Professional Development
Logo with text "SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS RECORDINGS"
Smithsonian Folkways
World Music Pedagogy Courses

Side-by-side view of the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, each with banners at the entrance and surrounded by greenery
National Museum of Asian Art
Professional Development
Exterior of the National Museum of the American Indian with curved stone architecture and a circular stone feature in the foreground surrounded by trees
National Museum of the American Indian
Professional Development