Summit Format
The Smithsonian is hosting the sixth annual National Education Summit July 14-16. Taking place both virtually and in-person in Washington, D.C., this free event brings together leading education experts to explore instructional strategies and resources that empower educators and their learners. As our nation marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this year's Smithsonian National Education Summit theme—Together We Thrive: Towards a More Perfect Union—invites us to reflect on our shared story and imagine the future we want to build.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 |
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 |
Thursday, July 16, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
Online Only All Sessions Online |
Hybrid Sessions Online Sessions In-Person Networking Reception In-Person |
In-Person Only Behind-the-scenes tours and experiences at various Smithsonian locations |
Summit Tracks
Cultivating the Power of Dialogue
Explore how dialogue functions as both a civic skill and a civic responsibility. When young people learn to engage across difference with curiosity, empathy, and evidence, they strengthen the foundations of our democracy. This strand highlights the Smithsonian's Democracy in Dialogue Virtual Exchange (DiDVE) and how it cultivates these essential dispositions through a national civic learning ecosystem connecting students, educators, and cultural institutions.
DiDVE brings together middle and high school students from diverse regions and backgrounds. Neither a traditional school program nor a museum program, it integrates schools, community organizations, Smithsonian collections, and local cultural resources into a cohesive learning experience where students practice civil discourse in real time. Across these sessions, educators and students will share how object-based, place-based, and project-based inquiry creates the conditions for meaningful dialogue - helping learners move from local questions to broader civic understanding and situate their voices within the American story. It's an invitation to reimagine civic learning with dialogue at the center.
Designing STEAM Solutions for Civic Challenges
Learn how to bring real-world civic issues into your classroom through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). This strand of sessions offers practical strategies for guiding students in designing solutions for community-based challenges. You'll explore ways to integrate the arts for creative solutions, use data to improve ideas, and help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Gain ready-to-use approaches that make learning relevant and connected to the communities we live in.
Leveraging the Arts as Civic Voice
Discover how the arts can create spaces for dialogue and empower students to respond to issues that matter to them. This strand of sessions provides clear strategies for incorporating reflection, perspective-taking, and creative expression into lessons. Leave with practical tools that make civic learning active and student-driven, fostering community connections and imagining new possibilities.
Placing History in Context
Help students understand the bigger picture of history by exploring events in context. This strand of sessions offers practical methods for looking beyond a single story to examine interconnected factors. You’ll hear about how to guide students in seeking multiple perspectives allowing for deeper analysis and informed interpretations. Access classroom-ready tools that make historical context clear, engaging, and relevant for today’s learners.
Event Sponsors
The Smithsonian gratefully acknowledges
Presenting Sponsor
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