Teaching with the Smithsonian: Addressing 21st-Century Challenges in the College Classroom from edX

This course encourages educators to engage students with the Smithsonian Institution’s experts and collections (both tangible and digital), as they follow Montgomery College-Smithsonian Faculty (MCSF) Fellows on their virtual 2021 series, “Addressing 21st-Century Challenges.” The course offers three main threads, including lectures with Smithsonian experts and educators, replicable classroom activities using Smithsonian images and artifacts, and testimony from former MCSF Fellows describing ways they employ museum pedagogy and artifacts to engage and empower students while exploring the complex challenges of the 21st century, including climate change, social justice and pandemics. Adaptable for high school, community college, and college audiences.

The interdisciplinary Fellowship, established in 1998 by Montgomery College’s Paul Peck Humanities Institute, trains community college faculty to learn about Smithsonian content as an entry point to consider crucial issues from multiple perspectives. During the year-long Fellowship, each participating professor designs a theme-based project for their classroom that meets course objectives, while creatively employing museum content and pedagogy. MC Fellowship professors have found their students to be far more sophisticated and capable as a result of engaging in assignments that integrate coursework with research and museum learning as well as deeply appreciative of the riches the Smithsonian offers them for free.

"When I say the@montgomerycoll faculty fellowship AND the @smithsonian are transformative, I mean many years later I’m still using what I learned. The online resources at @SmithsonianEdu and more are for everyone, truly. - Dr. Alison H Melley, MCSF Fellow (2019)"

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Learning objective

Replicable techniques to use multidisciplinary content in classrooms to encourage students to address 21st-century challenges beyond the classroom

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Provides replicable techniques to use multidisciplinary content in classrooms to encourage students to address 21st-century challenges beyond the classroom

Partners with the Smithsonian Institution, offering access to experts and collections

Offers a well-rounded curriculum that includes lectures, classroom activities, and testimonials from former fellows

Adaptable for high school, community college, and college audiences

Taught by Montgomery College-Smithsonian Faculty Fellows who have experience in using museum content and pedagogy

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Teaching with the Smithsonian: Addressing 21st-Century Challenges in the College Classroom. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Teaching with the Smithsonian: Addressing 21st-Century Challenges in the College Classroom will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Museum Educator

Museum Educators develop educational programs and activities that help visitors learn about the museum's collections and exhibits. They may also lead tours, give lectures, or write articles about the museum's work. This course would be helpful for Museum Educators because it would provide them with a deep understanding of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and resources. The course would also help Museum Educators develop skills in using museum objects and artifacts to teach about complex issues such as climate change, social justice, and pandemics.

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Archivist

Archivists acquire, preserve, and provide access to historical records. They may work in a variety of settings, including libraries, museums, government agencies, and businesses. This course would be helpful for Archivists because it would provide them with a deep understanding of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and resources. The course would also help Archivists develop skills in using museum objects and artifacts to research and interpret historical events.

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Historian

Historians research, analyze, and interpret the past. They may work in a variety of settings, including universities, museums, government agencies, and businesses. This course would be helpful for Historians because it would provide them with a deep understanding of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and resources. The course would also help Historians develop skills in using museum objects and artifacts to research and interpret historical events.

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Curator

Curators are responsible for the care and management of museum collections. They may also conduct research on the collections and develop educational programs. This course would be helpful for Curators because it would provide them with a deep understanding of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and resources. The course would also help Curators develop skills in using museum objects and artifacts to teach and engage the public.

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Museum Director

Museum Directors are responsible for the overall operation of museums. They may also develop exhibitions, educational programs, and fundraising campaigns. This course would be helpful for Museum Directors because it would provide them with a deep understanding of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and resources. The course would also help Museum Directors develop skills in using museum objects and artifacts to teach and engage the public.

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Librarian

Librarians acquire, organize, and provide access to information. They may work in a variety of settings, including public libraries, school libraries, and academic libraries. This course would be helpful for Librarians because it would provide them with a deep understanding of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and resources. The course would also help Librarians develop skills in using museum objects and artifacts to teach and engage the public.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study human beings and their cultures. They may work in a variety of settings, including universities, museums, government agencies, and businesses. This course would be helpful for Anthropologists because it would provide them with a deep understanding of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and resources. The course would also help Anthropologists develop skills in using museum objects and artifacts to research and interpret human cultures.

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Art historian

Art Historians study the history of art and architecture. They may work in a variety of settings, including universities, museums, government agencies, and businesses. This course would be helpful for Art Historians because it would provide them with a deep understanding of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and resources. The course would also help Art Historians develop skills in using museum objects and artifacts to research and interpret art and architecture.

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Archaeologist

Archaeologists study past human societies by excavating and analyzing archaeological sites. They may work in a variety of settings, including universities, museums, government agencies, and businesses. This course would be helpful for Archaeologists because it would provide them with a deep understanding of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and resources. The course would also help Archaeologists develop skills in using museum objects and artifacts to research and interpret past human societies.

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Educator

Educators develop and implement educational programs and activities. They may work in a variety of settings, including schools, museums, and community organizations. This course would be helpful for Educators because it would provide them with a deep understanding of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and resources. The course would also help Educators develop skills in using museum objects and artifacts to teach and engage students.

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Journalist

Journalists write, edit, and publish news stories and articles. They may work for a variety of media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, television, and radio. This course may be helpful for Journalists because it would provide them with a deep understanding of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and resources. The course could also help Journalists develop skills in using museum objects and artifacts to research and report on current events.

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Lawyer

Lawyers advise clients on legal matters and represent them in court. They may work in a variety of settings, including private law firms, government agencies, and corporations. This course may be helpful for Lawyers because it would provide them with a deep understanding of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and resources. The course could also help Lawyers develop skills in using museum objects and artifacts to research and argue legal cases.

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Politician

Politicians hold elected office and make decisions that affect the public. They may work at the local, state, or federal level. This course may be helpful for Politicians because it would provide them with a deep understanding of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and resources. The course could also help Politicians develop skills in using museum objects and artifacts to communicate with the public and advocate for policies.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people cope with personal and social challenges. They may work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and community organizations. This course may be helpful for Social Workers because it would provide them with a deep understanding of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and resources. The course could also help Social Workers develop skills in using museum objects and artifacts to connect with clients and provide support.

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Teacher

Teachers develop and implement educational programs and activities for students. They may work in a variety of settings, including schools, museums, and community organizations. This course may be helpful for Teachers because it would provide them with a deep understanding of the Smithsonian Institution's collections and resources. The course could also help Teachers develop skills in using museum objects and artifacts to teach and engage students.

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Teaching with the Smithsonian

Addressing 21st-Century Challenges in the College Classroom

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