Education Programs this Spring
Press Release · Thursday, April 7, 2022

Washington, DC

Join the National Archives for great educational programs this spring. Students will be able to “meet” Frederick Law Olmsted, learn more about the Constitution, and discover the close ties between Sir Winston Churchill and President Dwight Eisenhower. These are free and open to the public, but advance registration is requested. Young Learners Programs include documents from the holdings of the National Archives and links to educational activities in our free DocsTeach.org resource. Distance learning programs tie into our new We Rule: Civics for All of US education initiative. With the exception of the distance learning programs, these programs will be streamed live (and available afterward) on the National Archives YouTube Channel.  

Meet Frederick Law Olmsted! National Archives Comes Alive! Young Learners Program
Thursday, April 14 at 11 am ET; Watch on YouTube
Join us to “meet” landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (portrayed by Joseph Smith) and celebrate Olmsted’s 200th birthday (April 26). Olmsted is considered the father of American landscape architecture and is known for designing New York City’s Central Park and laying the foundation for the national park system. He was also an experimental farmer, author, and gold mine manager. Olmsted understood that parks build democracy as a space where all people are welcome, are connected to nature, and feel a sense of belonging and contentment.

Eisenhower Library’s Lunch & Learn – Churchill and Eisenhower’s relationship
Thursday, April 28 at 1 pm ET. Register online
Allen Packwood, Director of the Churchill Archives Centre in Cambridge, England, will discuss the relationship between Sir Winston Churchill and President Dwight Eisenhower. The Lunch & Learn series is hosted by the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home and held on the fourth Thursday of each month. The 2022 program theme, "Dwight Eisenhower: The Making of a Leader" focuses on family, military, Presidency, and mentorship.

Distance Learning Programs for Students – “We Rule: Civics for All of US”
Friday, April 29 at 11:15 am and 1:15 pm ET
We Rule: Civics for All of US is a new education initiative from the National Archives that promotes civic literacy and engagement. These interactive distance learning programs draw upon the vast holdings of the National Archives to promote the knowledge and skills students need for civic engagement in the 21st century. Each program is led by one of our educators located at National Archives sites or Presidential Libraries across the country. See We Rule: Educator resources for more information, including how to request group programs.

• No Conscription Without Representation: Voting Rights and the Constitution
  (Grades 9–12), Friday, April 29 at 11:15 am ET; Register online.
  Using the Constitution, constitutional amendments, legislation, and a Supreme Court case, students will explore the progression of voting rights in the United States with particular focus on the effort to lower the voting age to 18. Additional primary source records from the National Archives, including photographs, video recordings, and political cartoons, will enhance student understanding of the ways in which contemporary events and public civic engagement influence their lives today.

• The Constitution and Our Community
  (Grades 3–5) Friday April 29 at 1:15 pm ET;  Register online.
  In this 45-minute program, students will explore the idea of community, hone their primary source analysis skills by examining government records, and connect the Constitution to their own lives.

What Can the Census Teach Us? Educator Professional Development Webinar
Thursday, April 28, 7–8 pm ET, for teachers, librarians, and K–12 educators 
On April 1, 2022, the National Archives shared online the 1950 Census records goldmine. This workshop will explore and examine this historic milestone using primary sources dating back to the Constitution (that mandates the census in Article 1, Section 2). Taken every 10 years since 1790, the U.S. Census provides a snapshot of the nation's population. Educators will examine records (including photographs, maps, charts, advertisements, etc) and discuss the census as it relates to immigration, gerrymandering, slavery, and diversity. Advance online registration is required, and the link will be shared the week of the event. Census and immigration programming made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of Denise Gwyn Ferguson.

Sign up now! Virtual Genealogy Camp for Kids - Ages 12–15
July 5–9, 11 am–noon ET
Ever wondered about your family’s roots and who is on your family tree? This camp will introduce kids to the basics of genealogy research. Discover how to use National Archives resources and be a history detective into your past! Register online or email education@nara.gov with “Genealogy Camp” in the subject line. The program is limited to 25 campers. This program is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation.