Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Northwest Coast American Indian Bibliography

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian presents an extensive annotated bibliography of works on Native Americans for grades K-12.
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Random Strategies in Archeology

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students participate in a three-part archeological interpretation activity. First, they learn the principles of archaeology and the importance of material culture, and then they question ideas and interpret artifact evidence. Finally,...
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Archeology in the Classroom

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Two different leveled lessons allow students to become archeologists as they interpret material remains left behind by ancient people.
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Mineral Science: Division of Meteorites

For Students 9th - 10th
A review of meteorites, what they are, what types there are, and a collection of reading resources to understand more about these objects falling from the sky.
Activity
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Canela Body Adornment

For Students 9th - 10th
Among the Canela of Brazil, adorning the body enhances appearance, signals changes in social identity, and expresses culturally prescribed values. View vivid photos of the different cosmetic treatments men and women undergo.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Air and Space Museum: Apollo 13

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains facts and images pertaining to the crew, spacecraft, and mission of Apollo 13.
Article
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian: Science: Week of 4 22 13: Do Teachers Need Their Own "Bar Exam"?

For Students 9th - 10th
This article presents the debate over establishing an offical licensing exam for teachers, similar to the Bar Exam.
Article
Smithsonian Institution

Tween Tribune: Teenage Girls Have Led Language Innovation

For Students 5th - 8th
Article reports on the influence teenage girls have had on language over the centuries.
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

National Air and Space Museum: Exploring the Planets: Ancient Times & the Greeks

For Students 9th - 10th
In ancient times only five planets were known: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Learn about Greek astronomer Ptolemy's theory for the solar system that was to survive for fourteen centuries.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Abraham Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life

For Students K - 1st
Smithsonian exhibition on the life and times of Abraham Lincoln. Text supplemented with primary source documents, video and photographs.
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

National Air and Space Museum: Exploring the Planets: Earth's Lithosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
The plate tectonics and other features of the Earth's lithosphere are explained and illustrated. Has links to definitions of the magnetosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Thomas Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a brief biography of Thomas Edison.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Invention of the Electric Guitar: The Guitars

For Students 9th - 10th
In this online exhibition, learn about the evolution of the electric guitar by browsing dozens of influential guitar models. Through diagrams and audio samples, discover how different types of electric guitars work and sound.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Women Inventors

For Students 9th - 10th
Discover the contributions of several women inventors. Did you know a woman invented the Kevlar Vest? Teacher resources available for download.
Interactive
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Tinker Ball

For Students 1st - 9th
Build a virtual Rube Goldberg machine, and try to create a successful path for the ball. Requires Adobe Flash.
Interactive
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Human Evolution Timeline Interactive

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the evidence for human evolution in this interactive timeline - climate change, species, and milestones in becoming human. During the period of human evolution, the Earth's climate has fluctuated between warm and cold. Some of...
Article
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Magazine: First City in the New World?

For Students 9th - 10th
An account about Caral, Peru that suggests there was a civilization present in Peru much earlier than was previously thought. The article describes Caral as an ancient city that was flourishing at the same time the Great Pyramids were...
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: The Story of the Pony Express

For Students 9th - 10th
This article explores the story of the Pony Express, the "speedy" mail service that once connected the Eastern U.S. with the West.
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: Star Route Service

For Students 9th - 10th
An explanation of the contract service for carrying the mail, called Star Route Service. You can read a brief explanation of the Star Route scandal that came to a head during the term of Chester A. Arthur.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: Autographed Airmail Envelope

For Students 9th - 10th
Read the story of the first regularly scheduled airmail service. See how Woodrow Wilson's Postmaster General, Arthur Burleson, who purchased the first airmail stamp, arranged for the Red Cross to benefit from that stamp. Included are...
Activity
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: Object of the Month: Mail From the Hindenburg Crash

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides background information and details of the Hindenburg crash, plus descriptions and photos of mail salvaged from the wreck. Suggested reading material and an audio/visual clip of the actual crash also included. [1:13]
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: History of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum

For Students 9th - 10th
Audio and video presentation on the history of the national postal delivery system that started in 1775 with the appointment of Benjamin Franklin as Postmaster General. [3:14] Also provides the history of the National Postal Museum in...
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: Moving the Mail

For Students 9th - 10th
This online exhibit takes students through various means of delivering mail via land, sea, and air. Historic, primary materials are used throughout the exhibit.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Postal Museum: Customers & Communities

For Students 9th - 10th
This online exhibit tells the story of the mail service in the rural and urban areas in the 20th century. Historic, primary materials are used throughout the exhibit.