National Resource Centers
U.S. Department of State
Website: http://www.state.gov
In addition to news coverage and updates on current international and diplomatic events, the U.S. Department of State offers a historic perspective of American diplomatic history with supporting primary and secondary sources.
The U.S. Department of State for Youth site is organized by who, what, when, where, and why and includes a number of activities and resources for students, parents, and teachers.
The WHO We Are section introduces the Secretary of State, other state department leaders, and children of diplomats oversees.
The WHAT's Happening section features special events, exchange students, and career-related opportunities.
WHEN in the World includes a timeline, foreign policy decisions, and a History of the State Department.
Foreign Relations of the U.S. summarizes the official record of major U.S. foreign policy decisions. It explains how leaders during the Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon presidencies managed diplomatic relations between the U.S. and countries around the world.
WHERE in the World tests geographical knowledge by following the travels of the Secretary of State. Maps and Country Information allows students to select a foreign country and gather information from the Bureau of Public Affairs and the Library of Congress Country Study.
WHY Diplomacy Matters explains diplomacy in terms of U.S. protection, advancing global interests, gaining international understanding, and supporting foreign and civil services.
Other Information:
News and Events:
Includes standard news items, but also features an intern blog and contests.
Fun and Activities:
Split into the categories of Easy and Tough, exercises include mazes, word finds, crosswords, and word scrambles.
Parents and Educators:
Special Programs include educational partnership programs, school connectivity programs, professional development model U.N. programs, and more.
Lesson Plans feature modules on Terrorism, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the escalation of the Vietnam Conflict.
Social Studies features documentary records, historical publications, a visit to the Historian's Office, and country information, as well as international and diplomatic topics.
Additional Online Resources present a wealth of links to sites on current events, environment, games, geography, maps, quizzes, and homework help.
Note: The Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs, produces videos and curriculum packages on selected topics for use in U.S. classrooms.
