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
Learn more
Grades 2–4
Learn more
Grades 5–9
Learn more
Grades 10–12
Learn more
Homeschool
Learn more
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.
Teacher Workshop
January 19, 2019
Evicted: Empathy and Problem-Solving
Complex societal issues, like eviction, are difficult to fully understand. These are the issues our students face today and will be charged with solving in the future. Through document analysis and close looking at artifacts, participants will explore how empathy, imagination, story-telling, and hard data can serve as tools for designing change. Co-sponsored with the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
The Museum’s Distance Learning programs bring our educators into your classrooms through livestreamed programs.
Why Engineering?
45 minutes. Grades 4–6. Free.
Ever wonder how buildings stand up or what makes the electronics in our homes work? Join the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. for an exploration of engineering and the ways engineers affect the places we live, work, and play. Students will hear engineers describe their design process and explain the engineering principles behind projects they have completed in D.C. Through several interactive elements, students will learn about the importance of creative problem solving and careers in engineering.
Thursday, May 31 (EST)
10:10 am
1:10 pm
Tuesday, June 5 (EST)
11:10
1:10
Interested in Videoconferencing?
If you are interested in booking a two-way streaming session of Why Engineering? with a Museum educator for your class, email youthgroups@nbm.org to discuss times and logistics.
Distance learning programs are generously supported by the United Engineering Foundation.
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.
SUBSCRIBE
Sponsors
School programs are generously supported by: The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. Engineering Solutions, an engineering-focused, livestream educational experience is generously supported by United Engineering Foundation. Geppetto Catering, Inc. is the official meal provider for all education programs at the National Building Museum.