The Smithsonian Summer Sessions: Interrogating the Stories We Tell Course

Editorial Take

The Smithsonian Summer Sessions: Interrogating the Stories We Tell is a thoughtfully designed professional development opportunity for educators who want to challenge traditional narratives in their teaching. By leveraging the vast collections of six Smithsonian museums, this course fosters critical reflection and practical application.

Standout Strengths

• Expert-Led Content: Educators from multiple Smithsonian museums share behind-the-scenes insights into how objects are interpreted and displayed. Their expertise brings authenticity and depth to each module.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: The course draws connections across history, art, and cultural studies, enabling teachers to integrate diverse perspectives into cross-curricular lessons. This enhances relevance for modern classrooms.
• Inquiry-Based Methodology: Participants learn to craft open-ended questions that prompt student exploration. This fosters deeper engagement with primary sources and encourages critical thinking skills.
• Smithsonian Learning Lab Integration: Teachers gain hands-on experience using a powerful digital tool to build and share collections. This supports lesson planning and digital literacy in remote or hybrid settings.
• Community of Practice: Discussion forums allow educators to exchange ideas and adapt strategies to different grade levels. Peer interaction enriches learning and builds professional networks.
• Flexible and Accessible: As a free-to-audit course, it removes financial barriers for teachers seeking high-quality PD. The asynchronous format fits busy schedules and global time zones.

Honest Limitations

• Limited Assessment Structure: The absence of graded assignments or instructor feedback may reduce accountability for some learners. Self-motivation is essential to complete the course fully.
• Passive Video Format: While videos feature museum educators, they are primarily lecture-style. More interactive elements could enhance engagement and knowledge retention.
• Certificate Cost Barrier: Although the course is free to audit, obtaining a verified certificate requires payment. This may deter some educators from formal recognition.
• Niche Audience Focus: The content is most relevant to K–12 teachers and museum educators. Others may find limited applicability outside educational contexts.

How to Get the Most Out of It

• Study cadence: Dedicate 2–3 hours weekly to watch videos, explore collections, and participate in forums. Consistent pacing ensures deeper integration of concepts.
• Parallel project: Develop a sample lesson using the Learning Lab as you progress. Applying ideas in real time strengthens retention and practical value.
• Note-taking: Record reflections on how each module challenges assumptions about history and representation. These notes support long-term pedagogical growth.
• Community: Actively engage in discussion forums by sharing lesson ideas and responding to peers. Collaboration amplifies learning beyond solo study.
• Practice: Revisit museum objects with new questioning techniques. Practice reframing narratives to build confidence in facilitating difficult conversations.
• Consistency: Treat the course like a professional development workshop. Set reminders and schedule sessions to maintain momentum over 14 weeks.

Supplementary Resources

• Book: "Teaching When the World Is on Fire" by Lisa Delpit offers complementary strategies for discussing controversial topics. It pairs well with the course’s equity focus.
• Tool: Google Arts & Culture provides additional access to global museum collections. Use it alongside the Learning Lab to expand student resources.
• Follow-up: Enroll in Smithsonian’s other educator courses to deepen content knowledge. They offer a cohesive suite of professional learning opportunities.
• Reference: The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) framework supports integrating inquiry into social studies. It aligns with the course’s teaching model.

Common Pitfalls

• Pitfall: Skipping discussion forums limits exposure to diverse teaching contexts. Engaging peers helps adapt strategies across grade levels and student needs.
• Pitfall: Treating the course as passive viewing reduces impact. Active participation is key to internalizing inquiry-based teaching methods.
• Pitfall: Delaying hands-on work with the Learning Lab delays skill development. Early experimentation builds confidence and creativity.

Time & Money ROI

• Time: At 14 weeks with 2–3 hours per week, the time investment is reasonable for meaningful professional growth. It balances depth with flexibility.
• Cost-to-value: Free access offers exceptional value for educators. Even without a certificate, the tools and strategies are immediately applicable in classrooms.
• Certificate: The verified certificate adds credibility to professional portfolios. However, its cost may not justify the benefit for all educators.
• Alternative: Free webinars and museum resources exist, but none offer this course’s structured, cross-institutional approach. The integrated design sets it apart.

Editorial Verdict

The Smithsonian Summer Sessions: Interrogating the Stories We Tell stands out as a high-impact professional development course for educators committed to inclusive and critical pedagogy. By bringing together experts from six Smithsonian museums, it offers rare access to curatorial insights and real-world teaching strategies. The emphasis on inquiry-based learning empowers teachers to move beyond textbooks and engage students with authentic cultural artifacts. The integration of the Smithsonian Learning Lab ensures that participants leave not just with ideas, but with tangible digital collections they can use immediately in their classrooms. This combination of expert content, practical tools, and community interaction makes it a valuable offering in the field of educator training.

That said, the course is not without limitations. The lack of formal assessments and limited instructor interaction means motivated self-direction is required. The paid certificate model may also exclude some educators despite the free audit option. Still, for those seeking to challenge dominant narratives and enrich their teaching with museum-based learning, this course delivers exceptional value. It’s particularly beneficial for teachers in social studies, language arts, and art education who want to foster student inquiry and cultural literacy. With thoughtful engagement, participants will gain both inspiration and practical skills to transform how stories are told in their classrooms. For educators aiming to cultivate critical thinking and representation in their curriculum, this course is a compelling and accessible choice.