Congress chartered the Smithsonian Institution in 1846.

The Smithsonian Institution, one of the symbols of American history and education, was established through a bequest from a man who had never been to America. James Smithson, a British scholar and scientist, had only a nephew for an heir. Leaving his estate to his nephew, Smithson stipulated that should the nephew die without any heirs of his own, the rest of his fortune should be given “to the United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.” It is unclear what Smithson’s motives for the gift were, but the resulting establishment of the Institution has resulted in scholarly research, collections and programs in art, history, technology, archaeology and a wealth of other disciplines. The Smithsonian is now supported through donations, gifts, grants, contracts and funds appropriated annually by Congress.

Many MarcoPolo Partners have lessons that help students explore the importance and contributions of museums to our culture.

EDSITEment
My Piece of History (K–2) helps younger students learn about museums through the study of their own homes. Students examine pictures of household objects from the late 20th century, gather historical information about them from older family members and then create an in-class exhibit of historical objects from their own homes.

EDSITEment also offers this Tour of the National Mall (K–12), where most of the Smithsonian Museums are located.

Illuminations
While the Smithsonian has a wealth of information and educational materials for students across the country, its greatest value is in visiting the Institution itself. In the Illuminations lesson Planning a Class Trip to a Local Attraction (3-5), part of a longer unit called Planning a Trip (3–5), students consider the mathematics needed in planning trips. In the lesson, students research times the attraction is open and its distance from the school, and then prepare a schedule, which they use to solve an open-ended problem involving distance and time.

Xpeditions
Xpeditions has its own virtual museum, Xpedition Hall (K–12), which provides interactive exhibits and activities for students to learn a variety of geographic and cultural concepts. Students travel from room to room and exhibit to exhibit exploring the various displays and activities. Teacher resources and lesson ideas are provided as well.

Building a Greek Subway Museum (3–5) extends student learning about ancient Greek civilization by having students who have already studied some of the basics of ancient Greek civilization investigate ancient Greek artifacts and artworks and then design museum exhibits to be placed in an Athens subway station. Students can create the exhibits either on paper or with a computer multimedia program.

ARTSEDGE
In Interpreting Mythology Through Dance (5–8), students explore an online Smithsonian Museum exhibit on the subject of the mythological 12-hour journey of the sun god Re. Working individually and in groups, the students choreograph a movement that represents one of the hours in Re’s journey.

In Harlem Renaissance: A Living Museum (5–8), students research the lives of famous African-Americans of the Harlem Renaissance era. They write short m