Community of Learning

The Ziggurat at Ur: Design Your Own City

by Penn Museum

Mesopotamia was the site for the earliest human cities, and the ziggurat was an important religious building in ancient Mesopotamian cities such as Ur. Students will learn about the lives of people in the ancient Sumerian city of Ur. They will also get the chance to play city planner and design their own cities.

For K - 6

Friday, March 31, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

sponsored by

Easter Egg Art

by Central Michigan University: Museum of Cultural & Natural History

Why do people decorate eggs to celebrate Easter? Learn about the ancient history of this tradition and examine examples of intricate egg designs from around the globe.

For Grades K - 6

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Growing Seeds

by Royal Botanical Gardens

Discover what environmental conditions seeds need in order to germinate. Why do some seeds need to be planted while others do better on top of the soil? Get some help with your school vegetable or pollinator garden?

For Grades K - 6

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Wolf Research

by International Wolf Center

Discover how wolf researchers have learned to track the pack! Join the International Wolf Center staff as we look at the history and methods behind tracking wolves. We will explore the reasons why wolves are tracked, what radio telemetry is and what information is gathered once they are found. During this interactive program, students will discuss what they think researchers learn from wolves.

For Grades K - 6

Thursday, April 6, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Cartouches

by Penn Museum

Ancient Egyptians wrote the name of the pharaohs and other royal people in special sets of hieroglyphs called “cartouches.” Students will learn to identify cartouches of ancient Egyptian pharaohs inscribed on several artifacts in the Penn Museum collection. They will then get the chance to design and show off their own cartouches.

For K - 6

Friday, April 7, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

sponsored by

Secrets of the Swamp

by South Carolina Aquarium

The swamp is home to many incredible animals, including the American alligator. Check out this toothy apex predator that rules over freshwater ecosystems.

For K-6

Monday, April 10, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Civil Rights History: Before You Could Say Jackie Robinson

by National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum

"There should be some broader cause - such as lack of ability, behavior or intelligence - for barring a player, rather than his color." - Welday W. Walker, 1888 In baseball — as in America — freedom is an ongoing quest. For almost 65 years, African-American players were prevented from playing Major League Baseball simply because of their skin color. In this unit, students will explore American history from the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement. They will work both independently and collaboratively to learn how race relations in baseball reflected significant social and cultural developments in the United States.

For Grades K - 6

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Movement and Motion

by Pro Football Hall of Fame

This program examines the relationship of science and the game of professional football. Straight line movement, zig-zags, circular motion, back & forth, pushing & pulling - all movements that influence the sport. This 50-minute program, which is designed to be highly interactive, is supplemented by a lesson aligned with Common Core/National Standards of Education and is recommended for grades 1-5.

For Grades K - 6

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Spy School 101

by International Spy Museum

Can your students use their observation skills to spot threats and opportunities, work as a team to reveal secrets and think like a gadget-maker to solve problems? In this skill-based program, interactive challenges with real-world stories will be woven together as students explore the shadow-world of espionage and answer the age-old question…Do you have what it takes to be a spy?

For Grades K - 6

Thursday, April 13, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Ancient Egyptian Fashion

by Penn Museum

People in power often have a special style of dress that sets them apart from the crowd. Look closely at artifacts from ancient Egypt to learn more about the clothing and adornment worn by pharaohs and elite people. Discover the meaning and message conveyed by certain clothing or adornment. Think about the way you look when you feel your best, and follow along as we design fashion worthy of a ruler!

For K - 6

Friday, April 14, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

sponsored by

Earth Day-Ghana

by Oiada International

Global environmental education helps foster better relationships between people and, society and nature to achieve environmental sustainability.

For

Monday, April 17, 2023

1:00 pm ET

Coral Reefs and Conservation

by Aquarium of the Pacific

Coral reefs are some of the most diverse habitats in the world, with an incredible array of animals living in these underwater cities. However, coral reefs are also some of the most threatened habitats leading innovative conservation efforts to protect this important ecosystem. Join an Aquarium Educator to explore the biodiversity of coral reefs and think critically about current threats, as well as, possible solutions, while learning about conservation efforts happening around the world.

For Grades K - 6

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Does it Go in the Ocean

by Mote Marine Laboratory

Living the dream means going green—make that blue-green! From reducing microplastics to composting, learn about eco-friendly actions that span from Earth Day to World Oceans Day with Mote Aquarium.

For Grades K - 6

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Solo Sustainable Sounds

by Bash the Trash

Celebrate Earth Day by building musical instruments from trash, learn about the science of sound, and discover how you can join the fight against plastic pollution and climate change. Collect a few tin cans, take-out containers, rubber bands and a pencil to build a few simple instruments, and then join our Bash the Trash virtual ensemble to perform the "Thing Jam"!

For Grades K - 6

Thursday, April 20, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Weaving with Recycled Materials

by Penn Museum

The process of weaving allows people to take thin pieces of thread, yarn, or plant material and turn it into strong cloth and baskets. It is a simple yet sophisticated technology that developed independently in cultures all over the world. In honor of Earth Day, students will join Penn Museum educators to learn more about weaving techniques from around the world and then try some paper weaving of their own.

For K - 6

Friday, April 21, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

sponsored by

Earth Day-Ghana

by Oiada International

Global environmental education helps foster better relationships between people and, society and nature to achieve environmental sustainability.

For

Monday, April 24, 2023

1:00 pm ET

Reptiles in Art: A HISStory of Inspiration

by Booth Museum

Science and art combine! Students will explore reptile-themed art and artifacts while interacting with LIVE REPTILES courtesy of Georgia Reptile Society. Students will discover the roles these animals play in their environments and in different cultures and why protecting these animals and habitats are important. Students finish the program by creating their own reptile themed artwork!

For Grades K - 6

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Weather Wow! Up in the Air

by UCAR Center for Science Education

Did you know a typical cumulonimbus cloud can weigh 105.8 MILLION pounds?! How does it stay up in the sky?! Explore how the sun affects our Earth’s weather with an interactive experiment comparing hot and cold air. Transform your students into science sleuths and cloud detectives as we explore this mystery together and learn how air behaves when it changes temperature.

For Grades K - 6

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Farmer, General, President: The Legacy of Ulysses S. Grant

by Ulysses S. Grant National HIstoric Site

It's Grant's 201st birthday today! We all know Grant as the Union General in the Civil War and later President of the United States. But, who was he as a man and why is his legacy important today? Take a virtual tour with a Park Ranger at Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site and discover why Grant is one of the most important Americans of the 19th century.

For Grades K - 6

Thursday, April 27, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Senet: Make and Play an Ancient Egyptian Board Game

by Penn Museum

Dating back over 5000 years, senet, a popular ancient Egyptian game. is one of the oldest board games in the world. Students will learn about its history and significance to ancient Egyptian people. They will then make their senet boards and learn how to play.

For K - 6

Friday, April 28, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

sponsored by

Vietnamese Canadian Refugee families through the art of Chrystal Phan

by Royal BC Museum

Between 1979 and 1982 more than 60,000 refugees from Vietnam resettled in Canada. Artist Chrystal Phan’s family arrived on Canada’s west coast in the fall of 1980. Join Chrystal and educator Liz Crocker for a virtual walk through Chrystal’s art. We’ll look at oil paintings that represent her family and their experiences as immigrants to Canada from Vietnam. Bring paper and pencil for a reflection activity about the concepts of immigration and national identity.

For Grades 4 - 6

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Movement and Motion

by Pro Football Hall of Fame

This program examines the relationship of science and the game of professional football. Straight line movement, zig-zags, circular motion, back & forth, pushing & pulling - all movements that influence the sport. This 50-minute program, which is designed to be highly interactive, is supplemented by a lesson aligned with Common Core/National Standards of Education and is recommended for grades 1-5.

For Grades K - 6

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

The Spirit of ‘76: John Marshall, the Revolution, and the New Nation

by Preservation Virginia

This 40 minute virtual program will explore the origins and rhetoric of the American Revolution, why a young John Marshall eagerly enlisted to serve, and stories and impacts from his time fighting for independence. This educator-led program will also discuss political planning in the new nation. Exercising skills in historical inquiry, primary source analysis, spatial understanding and reasoning, and critical thinking, students will consider why, how, and for whom America’s founding generation debated the future of the country.

For Grades K - 6

Thursday, May 4, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Design Your Own Roman Oil Lamp

by Penn Museum

Lamps have been found across the Roman world throughout its history. Like their modern counterparts, these lamps allowed people to lengthen their day or conduct business in dark places. Archaeologists find these artifacts in a variety of contexts, such as houses, shops, temples, and other buildings. See close views of oil lamps in our collection before designing your own ancient Roman lamp!

For K - 6

Friday, May 5, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

sponsored by

Shell-a-brate Turtles

by South Carolina Aquarium

We are shell-a-brating turtles! Meet several of these amazing creatures, from land turtles to sea turtles, and learn what you can do to help protect them.

For K-6

Monday, May 8, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Art in the Video Game industry

by Add-A-Tudez Entertainment Compnay

In this talk, Team KAIZEN (Montana's 1st PlayStation and Xbox certified video game studio) talks about the different kinds of artists who have to work together to create compelling video games.

For Grades K - 6

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Flickering, Flashing, Fireflies!

by Explore Natural History - UNSM

Fireflies, summer’s fascinating nightlight! Let’s learn about this insect’s life, structure, and communication skills. We’ll craft a glow-worm and use our microscope for extreme close-ups of these small wonders.

For Grades K - 6

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

THOMAS EDISON: Man vs. Myth

by Hank Fincken: A National Theatre Company of One

Edison will discuss and demonstrate his greatest invention, his attitude that led to 1093 patents, and whatever the teacher thinks is important.

For Grades K - 6

Thursday, May 11, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Let’s Play Indigenous Games

by Penn Museum

People across the globe and throughout time have played games and sports. Using collection artifacts, students will learn the rules and significance of games played by Indigenous peoples from North, Central, and South America and how many of those games are still played today.

For K - 6

Friday, May 12, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

sponsored by

Chinese Folktales

by Author Marty Chan

Marty Chan brings Chinese folktales to life using tech magic and humour.

For Grades K - 6

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Bones & Tone: A Moving Experience

by McMillen Health

Discover fun facts about the skeletal and muscular systems and use these systems in various activities during the class.

For Grades K - 6

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Ancient Superheroes

by Penn Museum

Students will learn the stories of several larger-than-life heroic figures who battled foes in the ancient world. They will then use these tales as inspiration to design their own superheroes.

For K - 6

Friday, May 19, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

sponsored by

Creatures with Wings and Crawly Things

by Royal Botanical Gardens

Bee, spider, grasshopper, caterpillar. One of these is not an insect. Do you know what characteristics of insects are? We'll discover what these characteristics are and reinforce that with an action song. You get to choose what habitats we explore - leaf litter, aquatic and grass fields to discover a variety of insects (and non-insects) and their adaptations. What's their connection to plants? Now in ENGLISH or FRENCH . Please note language preference in Comments section, if other than English.

For

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

American Indians: Cultures and Contributions

by Booth Museum

Learn about the cultures of indigenous people from the NW Coast to the Eastern Woodlands through art, artifacts and a hands-on art making activity!

For Grades K - 6

Thursday, May 25, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Buddha or Bodhisattva

by Penn Museum

Buddhist communities in several parts of the world celebrate May 26 as the Buddha’s birthday. Students will learn about the history of Buddhism and its cultural influence in places like India and China. They will then put their archeological powers of observation to the test as they examine different Buddhist statues and try to answer the question, “Buddha or Bodhisattva?”

For K - 6

Friday, May 26, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

sponsored by

America's Signs & Symbols

by Smithsonian American Art Museum

Artists use familiar icons such as the Statue of Liberty, the bald eagle, and the American flag to communicate their ideas about American culture and encourage examination of our society.

For

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Otters and Their Waters

by Mote Marine Laboratory

We are otterly ecstatic for World Otter Day. Celebrate these sleek and wonderful watershed creatures with a storybook about thier underwater lives. Then virtually meet Huck, Pippi and Jane, our North American river otters.

For

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

How Things Work: The Three Branches of Government

by Preservation Virginia

The U.S. Constitution devised a three-branch system of government for the new nation in 1789, but how does this radical democratic system work, and what does it entail? What was Chief Justice John Marshall’s role in elevating the Supreme Court to co-equal status alongside the other two branches?

For

Thursday, June 1, 2023

1:00 pm ET

45 minutes

Back to School-Ghana

by Oiada International

Ghanaian students share a typical school and compare how it may differ from the US.

For

Monday, October 16, 2023

1:00 pm ET

NDLW-Ghana

by Oiada International

President of the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) will discuss the importance of National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) on a global scale.

For

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

1:00 pm ET