Looking for reliable lesson plans, engaging learning resources, and more? Look no further than the Smithsonian! Many of us know of the Smithsonian as a collection of incredible museums and zoos but it has even more to offer than you might have realized!
In this episode, Together We Thrive (Episode 111), we linked up with Under Secretary to the Smithsonian, Dr. Monique Chism as she reveals the intellectual treasure trove that is the Smithsonian’s vast collection of in-person and online resources.
Here are the key ideas we took away from this episode:
- Chism believes the plethora of free resources provided by the Smithsonian is one of the best kept secrets that needs to get out! She notes that the Smithsonian offers everything from online content to games and reliable lesson plans. There’s even a Smithsonian Channel app for learning on the go!
- Chism invites all educators to the Smithsonian’s 3rd Annual National Education Summit, which will explore four central themes including, “Life on a Sustainable Planet," "STEAM Education," "Reckoning with Our Racial Past," and "An Integrated Arts Education”. The summit is available both in-person and online. Chism mentioned that those attending in person will have the rare opportunity to chat with museum curators and educators and experience a behind-the-scenes look at exhibits, not generally available to the public.
- The theme of the summit is ‘Together We Thrive’ which resonates with Chism on a personal level. She hopes to see a re-emergence of a more well-rounded education that produces joyful learning for students and helps them understand how different disciplines intersect.
Chism believes that we are a nation that’s full of potential that is sure to blossom in our collective harmony. She remains optimistic about the Smithsonian’s potential to enhance teacher support by embracing meaningful educational trends and offering resources in a way that fosters that interconnectedness.
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Explore Further:
- Interested in the National Education Summit? Register here
- Download the Smithsonian Channel App for iOS users and Android users
- Access Smithsonian Educator resources: here