History & Social Studies

Throughout history, we’ve been motivated by the desire to achieve what hasn’t been done—to face our challenges head-on. Are you up to the challenge to learn from the past to face the future?

How have national and global leaders motivated the citizenry during times of challenge? What do we learn about our abilities when faced with a challenge?

How can recreating monuments, memorials, and architectural wonders give us a greater understanding of the design choices and symbolism within these structures?

Science & Art

One of our unique traits as humans is our need to express ourselves. Some forms of expression, like dance, require little in the way of tools or equipment. Visual art, however, was a much bigger challenge for our early ancestors.

Some of the earliest examples of human art are found in dark, remote caves. They were determined to make art in a place they deemed to be meaningful and special!

Today, we can buy art supplies at a store or order them online. For a prehistoric experience, challenge yourself to create works of art like our earliest ancestors did.

International

Traveling often challenges us to immerse ourselves in a new environment, speak another language, and experience the world in a new way. We all have destinations that are at the top of our lists to visit, but what about visiting a country that isn’t in your top five? What about a destination that pushes us outside our comfort zone? Challenge yourself during this time when you can’t travel to learn about the places outside of your comfort zone.

How can you prepare to experience a new country?

How does geography help you understand history?

History & Social Studies

Now more than ever, we need to stay connected as we are unable to be together in person.

Consider the ways we connect with people and the dramatic changes in communication since the invention of electricity. Explore the evolution of sharing information from the days of mailing letters back and forth to the world of constant contact we now live in.

Science

Amateur observers have always played an important role in helping scientists collect observations and data. Today, with the help of your smartphone – or simply using your own five senses – you can record your observations and become a citizen scientist.

International

Explore the global reach of letters, pictures, and language

The International Center of Photography is inviting people from around the world to share their stories through photography. Pen pals are a classic way to “meet” new people around the world. Why did English become the International Language?

History & Social Studies

Great leaders must be capable of exercising judgment is rooted in curiosity. Former presidential advisor David Gergen claims that this capacity is usually developed through reading, experiences like challenges and adversity, and reflection, which in turn requires a sophisticated level of self-awareness.

Consider: How have ancient explorers impacted our world and shaped modern life? What can a collection of items tell us about the history of a particular culture?

Science

Albert Einstein said, “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” This curiosity led him to explore questions other people didn’t consider. How do you see the connection between curiosity and science? What types of things are you interested in learning more about? What are good questions to ask about how or why something works?

Consider: What are you curious about? What innovations have been made to older objects as the technology has improved?

International

When you lean into your curiosity, you become more open to new experiences. While international travel is a great way to broaden your perspective, you can learn about different cultures from home, too. In these activities, students virtually ‘travel’ by engaging with news media from other countries and learn how curiosity can make us more culturally aware.

Consider: How can media help us develop a global perspective? Why is learning about social norms from other countries important? How does learning about a new culture help us better understand our own? How does your national identity influence the way you interact with other cultures?

History & Art

Science

International & Dance

History & Social Studies

Famed American author William Faulkner once remarked, “The past is never dead. In fact, it is not even past.” This inspires us to reflect our history, the contributions of leaders, and how we commemorate their legacies today.

Washington, DC, is home to a number of memorials and monuments, like the World War II Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. But did you know many more honor the sacrifices of men and women who served in America’s other wars? In this activity, learn more about DCs lesser-known war memorials.

Science

What does your legacy look like?

Scientists are constantly asking questions, collecting evidence, and refining their knowledge. Thanks to their efforts, each generation can come to understand the world a little more fully than those who came before. In these activities, students will revisit the legacy of a famous scientist, and consider how their own legacy could be recorded.

International

How deep do your roots go?

What are the lasting traditions of your family’s cultural history? Explore your family’s roots, where you’ve come from, and where you’re going! How much do you know about your family’s background? Do some family research that incorporates biological, cultural, and ethnic characteristics. Interview family members to discover your roots. You never know what may surprise you!

Social Studies & Leadership

History gives us many stories of resourcefulness. How did individuals or groups solve problems, defy the odds, or persist when they were told they couldn’t do something? What qualities or attributes assist in being resourceful? Learn about a suffragist, an Olympic track star, female pilots during World War II, or those who survived a shipwreck in Antarctica to see how they were resourceful and why some of them were able to make a difference in their communities.

Art, Music & Movement

Artists of all kinds–visual artists, musicians, and dancers alike–are no strangers to problem-solving. Some of the most satisfying, thought-provoking, and meaningful art can come out of limitation. 

Consider: What resources are needed to make art? Why is improvisation useful in different forms of art? What are the benefits and challenges of improvisation? How does it feel to improvise a piece of art, versus following a plan? How does improvisational art compare to art that is carefully composed?

Science

Science impacts nearly everything we do in our lives, including how we get our food and how we cook. This activity explores how much water is used in food production, helps you whip up something delicious in the kitchen using ingredients on hand, and shows how we can be resourceful around the house!

Consider: How can you maintain the integrity of a recipe if you're missing ingredients? How do food consumption and other daily activities affect our water footprint?

International

The coronavirus pandemic is testing our resources and our resourcefulness. Students and professionals are working from home. Restaurants are delivering food straight to your car. Scientists and medical professionals are racing to find treatments and distribute a vaccine, while factories are changing their lines to produce ventilators and protective equipment. Resourcefulness means looking at what was once ordinary and seeing new possibilities. Learn about the global supply chain and what it actually means to go from farm to table.

Social Studies

Where does time come from, and how do I see it?

How you might experience time compared to, say, anyone else on the planet, could be pretty similar or totally different? Ideal for social studies and history students, explore how time shapes us, how we shape time and the ways we bring our own perspective to the concept of time.

Art

Expressing time with art.

Time has limits, and what happens between its start and a finish is a window into seasons, people, cycles, and cultures. Check out British artist Andy Goldsworthy and his work on the idea of impermanence, then get creative yourself with the items and locations available at home.

Science

What does science tell us about time?

Consider the existence of time, through a telescope and microscope. Whether we can see it or not, everything has a date stamp. Or does it? Bring your sense of exploration along for a look at time’s own existence, including a sundial activity that shows you how it moves and grooves.

International

Across the world, maintaining cultural sites for future generations is an exercise in a special form of time management – preservation. Using UNESCO World Heritage Sites as your guide, learn more about what it takes to address the passage of time and think about where you would like to visit most.

Physical Education

Make time for movement!

In a period of isolation and social distancing, staying physically active has never been more important or impactful on your entire being. Using Tabata, build an exercise curriculum at home to keep you and your
quaran-team fit. 

Social & Emotional Learning

Better late than never? Not usually.

Learn how to shake the “I’ll do it laters” with a Ted Talk on procrastination, along with time management tips and strategies. Once you’ve done that, brainstorm some ways you can get back on track if you start procrastinating, and think of deadlines you can set to add some structure to your days!