Can't-Miss Resources for the New School Year
Check out some of our favorite museum objects and artwork—along with teaching ideas—to spark student curiosity, foster class discussion, and help your learners make authentic connections!

Everything Under the Sun*
*Well...maybe not everything... but the Smithsonian Learning Lab puts the treasures of the world's largest museum, education, and research complex within reach. The Lab is a free, interactive platform for discovering millions of authentic digital resources, creating content with online tools, and sharing in the Smithsonian's expansive community of knowledge and learning.
Discover
What will you find in the Smithsonian Learning Lab?
Millions of Smithsonian digital images, recordings, texts, and videos in history, art and culture, and the sciences
Thousands of examples of resources organized and structured for teaching and learning by educators and subject experts
Millions of Smithsonian digital images, recordings, texts, and videos in history, art and culture, and the sciences
Thousands of examples of resources organized and structured for teaching and learning by educators and subject experts
Who uses the Learning Lab?
In short... it's people like you. We created the Learning Lab so anyone can quickly discover and adapt authoritative subject-relevant resources.
Browse individual resources by type
Browse model collections on different topics
Create
Create collections of resources to engage learners, or freely adapt ones already made by Learning Lab users like you.
Use Learning Lab tools to customize and enhance your collections.
Copy a Collection
Adapt exemplars to personalize them for your learners.
Upload
Upload aids and resources you already use and value.
Annotations and Hotspots
Make a collection student-friendly, with information, focus, and interactivity.
Quizzes and Assignments
Build in guidance and supports for students.
Browse ready-to-use model collections by educational use
Browse ready-to-use model collections by learning strategy or theme
Learn
Grow your skills and stay connected with the
Learning Lab Community
Grow your skills and stay connected with the Learning Lab Community
News and Teaching Tips
Professional Development and Events
Distance Learning with the Smithsonian
The Smithsonian is committed to supporting the distance learning needs of educators and students.
Visit our Distance Learning Page for resources, trainings, and a full calendar of live events hosted by experts from across the Smithsonian.
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
4:00–5:00 PM, ET
Join educators from the National Museum of African American History and Culture to explore an expanding set of free digital materials on African American history, North Star: A Digital Journey. You’ll gain resources, teaching techniques, and content knowledge applicable to teaching about slavery in the U.S. context.
Create a Free Smithsonian Learning Lab Account