The National Building Museum welcomes school groups of all ages for programs led by our professional education staff. We also provide schools and educators with training and learning opportunities to bring the built environment into the classroom.
Explore the Museum independently or through guided activities.
Grades PreK–1
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Grades 2–4
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Grades 5–9
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Grades 10–12
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Homeschool
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Teacher Guide for Evicted
We are also seeking six to twelve DMV-area teachers to participate in working with the Museum on the production of a teacher guide for facilitated discussion of topics presented in and related to the exhibition. For this project, the Museum is collaborating with the Interactivity Foundation, which engages citizens in the exploration of social issues through small group discussions. Participating teachers will take part in two facilitated discussions in early November, and these discussions will inform the resulting online guide, which will be available beyond the closing date of the exhibition.
Email youthgroups@nbm.org for more information.
The Museum’s Distance Learning programs bring our educators into your classrooms through live-streamed programs.
CityVision is a multi-visit program for students from middle schools in the fall and spring semester. Students spend one full school day for six weeks at the Museum, working with Museum staff as well as volunteer professionals and university students in the fields of architecture, urban planning, or education. They work in studio teams to explore D.C., develop creative solutions to addresses community needs, and defend their designs to a panel of professionals.
The Museum’s Teaching Kits provide all of the resources and materials needed to teach multi-lesson units on the built environment in schools.
Bridge Basics (grades 5-9) uses bridge engineering and design as vehicles for exploring and solving problems. Students learn about fundamental structural engineering concepts and design, construct, and test model bridges using playing cards and other materials. Students work in teams to build model bridges that solve transportation problems while balancing issues of aesthetics, geography, materials, and cost.
Designing for Disaster (grades 7-9) teaches students about the tools design professionals employ to limit the impact of natural disasters on structures, communities, and people. Students are introduced to the consequences of natural disasters and are then tasked with identifying ways to protect against these hazards.
Green Community (grades 5-8) provides a comprehensive approach to studying green, sustainable communities. Students and educators create a town from the ground up –complete with model buildings, land use categorization, and planning strategies. Using the design process, students develop 21st century skills such as communication, cooperative learning, decision making, analysis, creativity, and innovation.