Programs
  • Programs
    • Learning resources
  • Learning resources
    • Plan a field trip
  • Plan a field trip
  • Demonstrations
  • IMAX and Planetarium
  • Planetarium Shows
  • Scavenger Hunts
  • STEAM Labs
  • Story Time
  • Tours
    • Educator professional development
  • Educator professional development
  • Learning guides
  • Teacher Innovator Institute
  • Holt Scholars Program
    • Education monthly theme
  • Education monthly theme

    • Our dynamic programs are designed to empower educators with innovative tools and strategies to enhance their teaching and inspire their students. Elevate your teaching and ignite curiosity in your students with our in-person and virtual teacher professional development opportunities.

    Jump to a Section: Professional Development Live      Professional Development On Demand      Teacher Newsletter      Teacher Innovator Institute      Resources for You      Plan a Field Trip

    An educator appears to make a small hovercraft or drone.
    The National Air and Space Museum provides a variety of professional development opportunities. 
    Programs
  • Programs
    • Learning resources
  • Learning resources
    • Plan a field trip
  • Plan a field trip
  • Demonstrations
  • IMAX and Planetarium
  • Planetarium Shows
  • Scavenger Hunts
  • STEAM Labs
  • Story Time
  • Tours
    • Educator professional development
  • Educator professional development
  • Learning guides
  • Teacher Innovator Institute
  • Holt Scholars Program
    • Education monthly theme
  • Education monthly theme

    • Our dynamic programs are designed to empower educators with innovative tools and strategies to enhance their teaching and inspire their students. Elevate your teaching and ignite curiosity in your students with our in-person and virtual teacher professional development opportunities.

    Jump to a Section: Professional Development Live      Professional Development On Demand      Teacher Newsletter      Teacher Innovator Institute      Resources for You      Plan a Field Trip

    An educator appears to make a small hovercraft or drone.
    The National Air and Space Museum provides a variety of professional development opportunities. 

    Professional Development Live

    Hear from museum educators and content experts, try hands-on activities, explore museum objects, and gain new resources to develop your teaching practice. Live webinars happen at least twice a year on Zoom. 

    Our live webinars for the 2023-2024 school year are over. Next school year's schedule will be announced this summer. You can watch the archived sessions on YouTube.

    A stout cylindrical satellite with panels on the outside.

    Data Visualization

    Watch the recorded session. 

    A Solar Eclipse

    Engaging with Eclipses

    Archived session coming in March

    Professional Development On Demand

    Bring professional development into your school with in-person or virtual sessions on a variety of topics. Professional development on demand can be customized for different teacher groups and grade levels. Browse the topics below and fill out our request form to connect with us and start planning. 

    A museum conservator leans over a kite using tools to work on it. 

    Teaching with Objects

    The National Air and Space Museum has hundreds of objects that tell the story of aerospace history. But teaching with objects isn’t limited to museums. Learn how close looking and observation skills can be used on any objects. 

    Laika, the first living being launched into orbit.

    Difficult Conversations in STEAM

    Discoveries and technological advances sometimes have a darker side, and it is important to engage students around complex stories and perspectives. Learn how to facilitate difficult conversations with thinking routines.

    A star cluster also known as the "Seven Sisters" shine through what would appear to be a layer of cotton candy if it wasn't in space. Actually, clouds of dust sweep around the stars, swaddling them in a cushiony veil.

    Planetarium Anywhere: Using Stellarium

    Want to teach your students about the solar system and beyond but don’t have access to a planetarium? Learn about Stellarium, a free planetarium software that can help teach about seasons, moon phases, solar system bodies, constellation stories, and more.

    Two small children look at their shadows during a science activity.

    Exploring Shadows and Light with Young Children

    Preschoolers may first notice their shadow while playing out in the sun. You can build on this interest to design playful explorations outside and inside the classroom that deepen children’s understanding of light and shadow.

    astronaut on the moon next to American flag, lunar module, and lunar roving vehicle

    Asking Big Questions

    Explore how using questions with no definitive answers can help students think deeply, engage in lively discussion, and provide evidence for their thinking. Think about the costs and benefits of space exploration through objects.

    Metal circular inside of nozzle

    Engineering and Design

    Available in Spring 2024
    Check back for more information

    Learn More and Request a Professional Development Session

    Teacher Newsletter

    Sign up here to receive the Museum’s monthly newsletter that highlights upcoming programs, amazing educators, and the Museum’s newest content for the classroom.

     Subscribe

    By submitting this form, you are granting the National Air and Space Museum permission to email you. You may unsubscribe via the link found at the bottom of every email. The National Air and Space Museum does not sell or share your personal information. For further information, please view the Smithsonian privacy statement and terms of use. Emails are serviced by Mail Chimp. Questions about how the information you submit will be used? Contact us.

    Teacher Innovator Institute

    The Teacher Innovator Institute is a summer professional development intensive for middle school STEAM teachers across the United States. Teachers form a professional learning community and explore ways to incorporate museum content and authentic inquiry into their classrooms.

     Learn More

    Resources for You

    Resources for You

    Student Group

    Learning Resources Database

    From videos to ready-to implement classroom activities, we’re here to help you get your learners excited about air and space.

    Apollo 8 Liftoff

    Learning Guides

    Our educators prepared the Learning Guides below to give you a week-long plan of activities and resources on topics your learners will love.

    A young man excitedly raises his hand, while a classmate watches.

    Learning Lab

    Discover over a hundred collections of artifacts and activities designed to help you bring air and space into your classroom. 

    A space station floats above the earth.

    Teacher Tips Playlist

    Check out the Museum’s YouTube playlist made just for teachers, where you’ll find activity ideas and programs featuring teachers.

    Plan a Field Trip

    We are excited to both invite schools to continue to engage in virtual programs and to welcome students and teachers back to the National Air and Space Museum's two locations. Explore our reservable programs that include Planetarium Shows, Scavenger Hunts, Science Demonstrations, STEAM Labs, Story Time, and Student Tours.

        

     Learn More

    Don't see what you're looking for? Contact nasmteachers@si.edu for additional assistance.