On September 26, 2009, the Smithsonian Institution has invited hundreds of museum and cultural venues to participate in Museum Day 2009. Register for free to receive a pass on the website, and present it at one of the participating organizations (search for those near you on the site) for free admission.

From the Facing History and Ourselves website:

"Facing History and Ourselves' newest online seminar, 'Choices in Little Rock,' is a rich and engaging exploration of the 1957 desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The seminar traces the legal and personal struggles of African Americans from Jim Crow America through the landmark supreme court decision on Brown v. Board of Education, and ultimately, to the courageous actions of nine young men and women determined to make desegregation a reality. Their efforts would lead to a crisis that historian Taylor Branch once described as 'the most severe test of the Constitution since the Civil War.'

This online seminar takes place over seven weeks. Each week, participants will engage in a variety of activities that will include reading materials, viewing video clips, creating journal entries, and participating in online facilitated discussion forums. Participants are expected to complete approximately four hours of work each week at their own pace.

Each participant will receive a copy of our teaching guide, Choices in Little Rock, as well as some additional resources, prior to the start of the seminar."

From the Facing History and Ourselves website:

"Using Facing History's principal resource book, Holocaust and Human Behavior, as well as video, primary sources, and presentations by survivors and leading scholars of the Holocaust, participants will experience a rigorous encounter with this powerful history. During the Seminar, a wide range of innovative teaching strategies are used to help teachers confront the Holocaust. At the conclusion of the Seminar, participants leave with a thorough grounding on how to incorporate these teaching tools into their classrooms in ways that will help students connect the history of the Holocaust to the ethical choices they face today."

From the Facing History and Ourselves website:

"Using Facing History's principal resource book, Holocaust and Human Behavior, as well as video, primary sources, and presentations by survivors and leading scholars of the Holocaust, participants will experience a rigorous encounter with this powerful history. During the Seminar, a wide range of innovative teaching strategies are used to help teachers confront the Holocaust. At the conclusion of the Seminar, participants leave with a thorough grounding on how to incorporate these teaching tools into their classrooms in ways that will help students connect the history of the Holocaust to the ethical choices they face today."

From the Minnesota Historical Society website:

"Dive into in-depth discussions about four of the History Day presentation categories: Exhibits, Documentaries, Performances, and Websites.

The 2010 theme, 'Innovation in History: Impact and Change,' promises to be complex and possibly trying for students as they choose topics for History Day. This theme-specific workshop will answer teachers' questions about the concepts of the theme, offer content related to the theme, open up discussions with other teachers, and provide lists of appropriate topics. Join in this interesting discussion within a brand-new workshop format!"

From the Minnesota Historical Society website:

"Dive into in-depth discussions about four of the History Day presentation categories: Exhibits, Documentaries, Performances, and Websites."

"Workshop sessions will be led by History Day coordinators and experienced teachers. Category-specific sessions will include hands-on instruction, teaching strategies, the best use of each category for History Day purposes, and problem-solving tips for all ability levels. HD staff will also guide teachers on the best way to approach technology issues, integration of primary sources, and project organization. The website session will specifically address the new rules for that category."

From the Chicago History Museum website:

"This two-part series delves into the history of Chicago's Great Migration through compelling historical-fiction short stories based on the Museum's collection.

"Tour the historic neighborhood of Bronzeville, the center of the Great Migration in Chicago."

NOTE: This entry is for part one of the seminar only. To view information on part two, refer to this entry. For more on the Chicago History Museum, refer to NHEC's Museums and Historic Sites listing.

From the New York State Museum website:

"The New York State Museum offers an interdisciplinary workshop for teachers of elementary and junior high school social studies. The cultural and historical legacy of 17th century Dutch settlements and interactions with Native Americans will be featured. Included will be the areas of ethnography, geology, historical archaeology, and classroom applications for teaching with historical documents and objects. We will compare symbols of community, economic and social decision-making in Algonquian-speaking and New Netherland societies, adaptations to change over time, and lasting cultural influences.

Teachers will have access to collections of original source materials now held by the New York State Museum, the New York State Library, and the New York State Archives, all programs of the Office of Cultural Education, under the New York State Education Department. The New York State Learning Standards addressed in the workshop are: Social Studies #1.1, #1.3 & #1.4 (NY State History); #3.2 (Geography); #4.1 (Economics); English Language Arts #1, #3, & #4; Math #3.4; Science #4.7; and Technology #5.5. "

From the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum website:

"The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, in cooperation with Arizona State University, will present this forum, designed for secondary, pre-service, and community college educators. The forum will explore the content, methodologies, and rationales for teaching the history of the Holocaust; increases teachers' knowledge of the Holocaust; and examines contemporary issues associated with this history."