On July 16–18th, 2024, the Office of the Under Secretary for Education will host its annual National Education Summit!
The 2024 theme is: “Together We Thrive: Connecting at the Intersections.” As we gather to explore this year's theme, we will delve into the intricacies of interdisciplinary approaches, which are paramount in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues we face today.
Adopting a holistic perspective that transcends disciplinary boundaries becomes increasingly imperative in a world where challenges are multifaceted and dynamic. This year's theme underscores the significance of embracing diverse viewpoints and methodologies to navigate the intricate web of interconnected issues. By recognizing the intersections between various fields of knowledge and expertise, we pave the way for innovative solutions and meaningful collaborations.
Registrations for the Summit opens May 2024.
Be the first to learn about the Summit by following us on social media or signing up for our e-newsletter. Each month we feature education resources from across the Smithsonian that highlight relevant interdisciplinary content, concepts, and skills for grades PK–12+.
Summit Schedule
- On Tuesday, July 16, all sessions will be livestreamed virtually, so that participants can join us from wherever they are in the world. These sessions are 50-minutes long and include two keynote plenary sessions, as well as 4 concurrent sessions across 4 themes hourly. Please note: the archived recordings of these sessions will be made available a few weeks after the Summit.
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On Wednesday, July 17, sessions will take place in-person at our host venue, the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture—an iconic space in the heart of Washington, D.C. and home to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, Lawrence A. Fleischman Gallery of the Archives of American Art. Plenary keynotes and the reception speakers will be livestreamed virtually; however, the 60-minute workshop sessions throughout the day will be exclusively available to in-person attendees. Be sure to join us for an exceptional evening networking reception in the Kogod Courtyard!
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On Thursday, July 18, sessions will take place in-person in groups of 25 or less at Smithsonian spaces across Washington, D.C. offering exhibition tours, behind-the-scenes experiences, and a chance to dive deep into content with Smithsonian educators. Please note: because space is limited in these sessions, you’ll want to pre-register as soon as possible.
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Finally, several sessions will be released on-demand at the Summit as pre-recorded premieres, offering participants a chance to tune in to these sessions right away.
Summit Tracks
Using Art to Connect Past and Present
These sessions will examine the ways in which history and culture are depicted through various art forms and media. Sessions will demonstrate the role of art in mirroring historical events, social movements, and cultural shifts, and offer practical methods for educators to use visual media analysis and creation to engage students in connecting past and present.
Inclusive Storytelling
These sessions will emphasize the importance of diverse perspectives in storytelling. By recognizing absence, asking questions that ensure the inclusion of diverse voices, and intentionally sharing more equitable stories across subject areas and grade levels, educators provide insights into the value of multiple perspectives and experiences in teaching and learning.
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
These sessions highlight how educators are equipping students with the knowledge and skills to understand the world’s most pressing issues and to become agents for change in their own communities. From climate change to global migration and from bioethics to energy, these compelling issues provide a motivating context in which students can learn scientific practices that will better serve them as active citizens in their communities and a global society.
Youth Taking Civic Action
These sessions will spotlight models of learning that require students to use what they have learned to inspire, change behaviors, solve a problem, or serve an audience through civic action. While the process of taking informed action is content agnostic, it often requires students to consider different perspectives on an issue, ways to address it, and the potential impact of their actions. Examples range from art activism used to inspire and inform, to historical case studies providing context to contemporary issues, to advocating with local community members and stakeholders through presentations or novel approaches.
You can watch all of the archived sessions below or here via the Smithsonian Education YouTube page. You can also view the archived sessions from past years here: 2023, 2022, 2021.
Our mission is to inspire curiosity and connections in a changing world, so please reach out if you have questions or need support implementing Smithsonian Education resources.
The National Education Summit is made possible thanks to the generous support of friends across the country committed to providing free educational resources to America’s teachers. Your fully tax-deductible donation of any size will help make a difference as we work to develop and share free learning materials drawn from across the Smithsonian’s collections, exhibitions, and research areas for communities across the nation, especially those who need it most. Thank you!
