School Programs

Note to Educators

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Q?rius and Q?rius jr.: a Discovery Room school programs will transition to a digital platform for fall 2020 (October 5 through December 18). Programming and support materials will cover Grades K-12, with self-guided and live museum-educator-led options available. The status of programming for the winter and spring, January 4 through June 18, 2021, will be assessed at a later date.

Fall 2020 Digital School Programs (Pilot Version)

• Live, online video programs virtually led by museum educators
• Aligned with standards
• Options for Grades Kindergarten through 12th 
• Designed to keep students on task for:
  •  45 minutes for Grades K-5
  •  60 minutes for Grades 6-12
• Homeschool Days available the first Monday of the month: October 5, November 2, and December 7. 
• Free, but registration is required. Registration slots close two weeks before the program date.
• Please note that all of these programs are part of a pilot series of programs. We would appreciate your feedback as we work to design additional offerings. 

Hours

Registered programs, 10:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. ET from October 5 to December 18. DCPS teachers please contact us if classes need to be scheduled at alternate times. 

Program Descriptions

Please note that additional programs will be added throughout the school year. 

Grades K-2

Animal Adaptations 
During this staff-led program students will compare and contrast animal specimens from our virtual collections to discover how different adaptations help animals survive in their habitat. Students will explore the different kinds of adaptations for animals who live on land, water, and in the air. 

Grades 3-5

Insect Survival 
During this staff-led program students will explore what makes an insect an insect, and why they are so successful (insects have more species and live in more places than any other animal!). Students will investigate and identify survival techniques such as camouflage, mimicry, exoskeletons, stinging, flying and many more! 

Grades 6-12

Reefs Unleashed
During this staff-led program, students explore how Smithsonian scientists measure the biodiversity of coral reefs using nondestructive methods. They will model the same scientific processes used by our scientists by observing and analyzing images of plates with the actual organisms that live in the Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) to better understand human impact on coral reefs. Based upon their observations students will develop, test, and refine explanations and potential recommendations for protecting and preserving coral reefs.

Formats

• Zoom Webinar: Designed to accommodate classes, grades, or groups with 15-1,000 students. Students will not be visible to the museum educator or other students, but they will be able to submit questions in writing through the Q&A, and interact through polls. 
• Zoom or Microsoft Teams Meeting: Designed to accommodate classes of 15 - 35 students. Students will be visible to the museum educator and their classmates, and will have the ability to raise their hand to ask questions. In order to participate in this format, those registering will need to provide copies of parental permissions to participate in onscreen programs. If you would like to register for more than 35 students you will need to book a second slot.
• Homeschool Day Zoom Webinar: Designed to accommodate individual students or small groups with less than 15 students. Students will not be visible to the museum educator or other students, but they will be able to submit questions in writing through the Q&A, and interact through polls. Homeschool Days available the first Monday of the month: October 5, November 2, and December 7. 

How to Register

Registration is now open for Fall 2020. Register for Digital School Programs

Questions?

Contact School Programs at NMNHschoolprograms@si.edu