The Smithsonian's IdeaLabs bring history, science, and art to life for young people. These dynamic and interactive sites are a place for students to learn about evertything from rock collecting to American presidents to the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.
Students compare sculptures of three ancient immortals in a fun new game. The sculptures include subtle symbols of the characters' stories. So who is who? Symbols in Art: Who's Who?
Students go deep inside the mural Achelous and Hercules by Thomas Hart Benton to apply their understanding of symbolism. They look for what is symbolic in the mural and the myth it is based on. Using a computer mouse or finger on a tablet, they discover the artist's own thoughts about the characters and objects. Symbols in a Story: What's What?
Watch scientists at work in this video feature. Their jobs range from tracking killer bees to measuring the moon. Scientists @ the Smithsonian
In Sizing Up the Universe, students choose objects, like a basketball, to represent objects in the universe and use these to explore relative sizes in outer space.
Sizing Up the Universe
In Prehistoric Climate Change, you’ll use fossils as a thermometer to read temperatures 55 million years ago. You can also watch a video of a fossil digger at work.
Prehistoric Climate Change
U.S. Rationing during World War II is an introduction to primary sources as well as an introduction to life on the home front. Students examine a ration book, morale posters, and an Office of War Information film to learn how Americans lived in a time of sacrifice.
U.S. Rationing
Digging for Answers is a new question-and-answer game on subjects ranging from Mickey Mouse to the moon landings. With every question, students have the option of racing against the clock to find the answer on a web search. Digging for Answers
Smithsonian Kids highlights some of the 142 million objects in the Smithsonian. Students can find something fast, fun, cool, scary, patriotic, and beautiful, zoom in on the objects, learn facts, and send e-cards to their friends. Smithsonian Kids
Walking on the Moon takes students on a journey back in time to experience the incredible Apollo 11 mission! Interviews with the astronauts, life inside the command module, and more. Walking on the Moon
Kids Collecting explores the riches of the Smithsonian’s collections, teaches students how to start their own collections, and showcases young collectors. Kids Collecting
Mr. President features facts, portraits, and quotes from each of our nation’s presidents. It’s a great place for browsing, research, or homework help. Mr. President
Artifact & Analysis shows you how to incorporate artifacts and documents into the teaching of U.S. history. Designed as a companion to the Advanced Placement Program U.S. History course, it is also effective in any instructional setting that emphasizes analytical thinking and writing. Artifact & Analysis
Textiles of the Southwest introduces the weaving traditions of the American Indian and Hispanic residents of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. These textiles express the changing circumstances of the weavers' lives and the flow of ideas across cultural frontiers. Textiles of the Southwest
Students compare sculptures of three ancient immortals in a fun new game. The sculptures include subtle symbols of the characters' stories. So who is who? 
Students go deep inside the mural 
Watch scientists at work in this video feature. Their jobs range from tracking killer bees to measuring the moon.
In Sizing Up the Universe, students choose objects, like a basketball, to represent objects in the universe and use these to explore relative sizes in outer space. 
In Prehistoric Climate Change, you’ll use fossils as a thermometer to read temperatures 55 million years ago. You can also watch a video of a fossil digger at work. 
U.S. Rationing during World War II is an introduction to primary sources as well as an introduction to life on the home front. Students examine a ration book, morale posters, and an Office of War Information film to learn how Americans lived in a time of sacrifice.
Digging for Answers is a new question-and-answer game on subjects ranging from Mickey Mouse to the moon landings. With every question, students have the option of racing against the clock to find the answer on a web search.
Smithsonian Kids highlights some of the 142 million objects in the Smithsonian. Students can find something fast, fun, cool, scary, patriotic, and beautiful, zoom in on the objects, learn facts, and send e-cards to their friends.
Walking on the Moon takes students on a journey back in time to experience the incredible Apollo 11 mission! Interviews with the astronauts, life inside the command module, and more.
Kids Collecting explores the riches of the Smithsonian’s collections, teaches students how to start their own collections, and showcases young collectors.
Mr. President features facts, portraits, and quotes from each of our nation’s presidents. It’s a great place for browsing, research, or homework help.
Artifact & Analysis shows you how to incorporate artifacts and documents into the teaching of U.S. history. Designed as a companion to the Advanced Placement Program U.S. History course, it is also effective in any instructional setting that emphasizes analytical thinking and writing. 
Textiles of the Southwest introduces the weaving traditions of the American Indian and Hispanic residents of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. These textiles express the changing circumstances of the weavers' lives and the flow of ideas across cultural frontiers. 
