Welcome
Educators, are you ready to take your passion for teaching to the next level? The Smithsonian is calling! Hello, I’m Dr. Monique Chism, Under Secretary for Education at the Smithsonian, and I invite you to join us this summer for the premier education conference of the year. What can you expect? Great sessions spanning art, history, science, and culture. Dynamic keynotes and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to our museums. Our 2025 theme, “Together We Thrive: One Nation, Indivisible” is your roadmap to the semiquincentennial. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we will provide resources to help you celebrate key moments, contemplate their impact, and commemorate the stories that have shaped our nation. Register today and secure your spot for the Smithsonian National Education Summit—free to attend and thoughtfully curated for educators like you!
As we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, I invite you to join Smithsonian educators and our collaborators for the 5th annual Smithsonian National Education Summit, “Together We Thrive: One Nation, Indivisible.” The Summit is designed to provide a crucial learning roadmap that empowers educators across all subjects and grade levels to illuminate transformative historical moments and their contemporary impact in preparation for the semi-quincentennial.
The Summit’s hybrid three-day program, from July 15-17, 2025, features inspiring presentations and engaging sessions with actionable takeaways for all learning environments.
Pre-registration is required for this free event.
Prepare to be inspired by a lineup of visionaries! Our featured keynote sessions include teacher leaders from the National Teacher of the Year program; the esteemed Dr. James Grossman, whose historical insights have shaped our understanding of America; the courageous school desegregation civil rights pioneer Carlotta Walls LaNier in conversation with leading expert in education law, Robert Kim; and a captivating conversation between Secretary of the Smithsonian, Lonnie G. Bunch III and Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. This extraordinary gathering promises to reignite your passion for education.
Additionally, the Summit features four distinct strands, led by carefully selected and talented presenters, who will explore themes at the intersections of art, culture, history, and science, including:
Many Voices, One Nation |
Transformative Teaching Tools |
Power of Place |
Dialogues across the Past, Present, and Future |
We will also feature special invited sessions from leading education and innovation collaborators, such as:
Aerospace
American Historical Association
Asian Texans for Justice
Central Crossing High School (Ohio)
Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year Program
Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center (Florida)
Education Law Center
Every Museum a Civic Museum
George Washington's Mount Vernon
Harvard College Observatory
History Colorado
Inter Astra Institute
Irving Archives and Museum
Johnson & Johnson
Kenvue
Library of Congress
Liverpool John Moores University (UK)
Made by US
National Council of Teachers of English
National Public Housing Museum
North Carolina School of Science and Math
PBS LearningMedia
St. Thomas More Academy (Washington, D.C.)
Teesside University (UK)
Tennessee STEM Innovation Network
The Hockaday School (Texas)
The Huntington
The Ohio State University
The Rockwell Museum
University Liggett School (Michigan)
University of Virginia
Walter Payton College Preparatory High School (Illinois)
Washington International School (Washington, D.C.)
YURI Education Project
Each year, the Summit attracts thousands of educators nationwide, from teachers and librarians to administrators and museum professionals. A hallmark of the Smithsonian Summit is its exclusive, behind-the-scenes experiences on day three, offering deep dives into our collections and exhibitions through unique in-person tours including:
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Preamble, Bridge, and Electronic Superhighway at the Smithsonian American Art Museum,
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¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States at the National Museum of the American Latino,
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Shifting Boundaries: Perspectives on American Landscapes at the National Museum of Asian Art,
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Cellphone: Unseen Connections at the National Museum of Natural History, and
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A variety of portraits of individuals who have shaped our democracy at the National Portrait Gallery.
There is truly something for everyone at the Smithsonian!
Don't miss the premier learning event of the summer! Discover a wealth of resources and join us in creating education systems where all students thrive.
Register for free today and invite a friend or colleague to join you.
Sincerely,
Monique M. Chism, PhD
Under Secretary for Education
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Participation
Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
National Air and Space Museum
National Museum of American History
National Museum of Asian Art
National Museum of Natural History
National Museum of the American Indian
National Museum of the American Latino
National Portrait Gallery
National Postal Museum
Office of Educational Technology
Office of the Under Secretary for Education
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
Smithsonian Associates
Smithsonian Digitization Program Office
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
Smithsonian Gardens
Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service | Smithsonian Affiliations
Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Smithsonian Science Education Center
