Smithsonian Institution Courses

Smithsonian’s Objects That Define America

2 ratings

Explore the history of America through the view of key historic objects, inventions, and exhibits in the Smithsonian collections.

• edX
• 5 weeks, 1-2 hours/week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course

Power and Responsibility: Doing Philosophy with Superheroes

1 rating

Pow! Bang! Kaboom! Power and Responsibility: Doing Philosophy with Superheroes, a SmithsonianX and Harvard Division of Continuing Education course, blends superheroes narratives with the core areas of philosophy.

• edX
• 5 weeks, 1-5 hours/week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course

Foundations for Transforming Teaching and Learning about Native Americans

34 ratings at edX

Explore transformative teaching about Native Americans, addressing problematic narratives and incorporating more complete perspectives in education using Smithsonian's NK360° initiative.

• edX
• 4 weeks, 1-2 hours/week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course

Teaching Critical Thinking through Art with the National Gallery of Art

33 ratings at edX

Learn how to integrate works of art using Artful Thinking routines, effective strategies from Project Zero at Harvard University, in this interactive online course for teachers of all levels and subjects.

• edX
• 16 weeks, 3-4 hours/week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Managing Museums in the 21st Century, a My Armenia Program series

32 ratings at edX

Explore modern museum management, covering exhibitions, programs, outreach, and fundraising. Gain insights from Smithsonian professionals to enhance visitor engagement and operational strategies.

• edX
• 2 weeks, 1-2 hours/week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course

Designing for Textiles

20 ratings at edX

Explore Armenian textile design, from traditional elements to modern innovations. Learn color theory, construction techniques, and natural dyeing while developing your own unique style.

• edX
• 2 weeks, 4-5 hours/week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course

Interdisciplinary Teaching with Museum Objects

18 ratings at edX

Educators from four Smithsonian museums will explore connections among their collections and model teaching strategies that participants can implement with their students, whether online or in the classroom.

• edX
• 14 weeks, 1-2 hours/week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Teaching Complex Thinking through Art with the National Gallery of Art

12 ratings at edX

Develop complex thinking with strategies from the National Gallery of Art and Project Zero at Harvard University, making connections to artworks, exploring viewpoints with empathy, and uncovering complexities, in this course for educators of all levels a…

• edX
• 16 weeks, 1-5 hours/week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Teaching with the Smithsonian: Addressing 21st-Century Challenges in the College Classroom

8 ratings at edX

Explore 21st-century challenges using Smithsonian resources. Engage with experts, artifacts, and innovative teaching methods to empower students in addressing climate change, social justice, and pandemics.

• edX
• 6 weeks, 2-3 hours/week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course (Audit)

That's So Meta(cognitive)!

8 ratings at edX

That’s so Meta(cognitive)! — investigates how explicitly teaching students metacognitive strategies helps them become more effective learners, able to integrate knowledge rather than just memorize isolated science facts and definitions.

• edX
• 1 week, 4-5 hours/week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Climate Change Communication

7 ratings at edX

This online course will provide educators and volunteers with information about the drivers, impacts, and solutions of climate change, as well as strategies for talking about climate change in an informal education environment.

• edX
• 5 weeks, 1-3 hours/week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course

Fired Up About Energy

Fired Up About Energy – explores common student misconceptions related to the study of energy and suggests methods for effectively representing and discussing the topic in the classroom.

• edX
• 1 week, 4-5 hours/week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course (Audit)

The Smithsonian Summer Sessions: Inspiring Civic Engagement

Discover how museum objects can help learners explore the challenges and opportunities of living in a democracy and inspire civic action.

• edX
• 14 weeks, 1-2 hours/week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root

Conceptual Change: How New Ideas Take Root — explores the ways students learn and develop new conceptual understandings, and shows how student misconceptions can be uncovered and addressed as a part of effective learning.

• edX
• 1 week, 4-5 hours/week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Science: A Work in Progress

Science: A Work in Progress - shows how science isn’t produced through one linear method, but through an interconnected set of practices, and examines ways that teachers can make learning science in the classroom more authentic.

• edX
• 1 week, 4-5 hours/week
• Self-Paced
• Free Online Course (Audit)