This object-based learning activity revolves around an 1898 Standard Voting Machine, the fight against voting fraud and the extension of voting rights in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Students will learn how voting technology was used to democratize the voting process in the

This object-based learning activity revolves around the gold nugget that began the California gold rush. In this resource, students will learn how examining the gold nugget can help them understand the story of the gold rush and its importance to the story of westward expansion. After explor

This teacher resource challenges students to think about the Jefferson desk and the Declaration of Independence as objects that are valuable sources of historical information. It includes a preliminary activity intended to introduce students to doing history with objects a

This resource includes an introductory essay entitled Looking at Artifacts, Thinking about History, 6 sections that each focus on an object from the collections of the Museum, an archive of curator commentary, and an online tool with which students can create virtual exhibits. Also inclu

What do museums do? In this classroom activity, students will recognize the Smithsonian Institution and be able to explain what a museum does. This is accomplished through the use of discussion questions and activities in which they relate stories from prior museum visits or share ideas for a mus

In this online exhibition, students will explore the story of the Star-Spangled Banner by learning about the War of 1812 and the Battle of Baltimore; Mary Pickersgill and the making of the flag; Francis Scott Key and the song that became the national anthem; the legacy of the flag and its use as

This exhibit showcases two major themes: the history and use of papier-mâché anatomical models and their construction, conservation and preservation, using the Museum's collection of papier-mâché anatomical models. The exhibition also includes an interactive game named "Body Parts"

The Western Museums Association challenges the diverse museum community of the West, empowering individuals to cultivate leadership and enable institutions to remain relevant in a dynamic world. We provide opportunities for learning and personal interaction to enhance the creative skills and enri

Students will learn the methods of preservation used in restoring the papier-mâché artificial anatomy collection. The exhibition covers the necessity for preservation, the examination methods used, as well as preservation techniques. This exhibition is also helpful for those students who are in

Students can learn about the history of experimentation and innovation in the design of steam-powered, internal-combustion, electric, and solar-powered automobiles. This reference page is included in the online exhibition entitled America on the Move, which focuses on transportation in U