Learn some effective ways to enrich and enhance your K-12 curriculum with museum education, connecting classroom learning to real-world contexts.

When I was director of a very small museum, I was typically contacted by teachers wanting to schedule a class visit. And I would always assure them "We can meet your lesson plan goals" because we were so rich in primary resources: objects, photographs, maps, printed matter, etc. Museums, libraries and archives provide the grounding and context for instruction seldom available in classrooms, so achieving progress toward curriculum goals usually involves little more than directing student inquiries, and the more self-directed field trip activities are, the stronger the outcomes.

What are some effective ways to integrate museum education into K-12 curriculum?

Museum education is more than just taking students on field trips. It is a powerful way to enrich and enhance K-12 curriculum by connecting classroom learning to real-world contexts, fostering critical thinking and creativity, and promoting civic engagement and social justice. In this article, you will learn some effective ways to integrate museum education into your K-12 curriculum, whether you are teaching in person, online, or in a hybrid mode.

1 Align with standards and goals

The first step to integrate museum education into your curriculum is to align it with your learning standards and goals. You can use the National Core Arts Standards, the College, Career, and Civic Life Framework, or other relevant frameworks to guide your planning and assessment. You can also consult with museum educators to find out how their programs and resources align with your curriculum and objectives. By aligning your museum education with your standards and goals, you will ensure that your students gain meaningful and relevant knowledge and skills from their museum experiences.

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James Bryant

Member, Board of Trustees, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science at New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
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When I was director of a very small museum, I was typically contacted by teachers wanting to schedule a class visit. And I would always assure them "We can meet your lesson plan goals" because we were so rich in primary resources: objects, photographs, maps, printed matter, etc. Museums, libraries and archives provide the grounding and context for instruction seldom available in classrooms, so achieving progress toward curriculum goals usually involves little more than directing student inquiries, and the more self-directed field trip activities are, the stronger the outcomes.

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Trevor Price MSc, FGS, PCQI

Earth Scientist, Geologist. Museums and Heritage specialist. Emergency Planning.
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Over the past two decades (and more) I've spoken with what must amount to about 100,000 pupils, not including the vast number of teachers. The top things the pupils asked for was being able to handle real objects and investigate the narratives that went with each. The other thing they valued was to be able to ask experts about those objects and stories. If your objects, experts and narratives align with their curriculum then you have a valuable resource the schools will continue to engage with.

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stella ashmeade

Artist and teacher of adults and runs art wellness events for businesses
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In terms of creativity, being able to sit and sketch artefacts, statues and other artwork is a fantastic way of connecting. You don't have to be an amazing artist but the shared connection with fellow students who are doing the same makes it a powerful tool for discussion and knowledge sharing. Most museums and art galleries provide folding stools to carry round so it is positively encouraged. Even if your students are studying history, sketching what they see can be a fantastic way to connect to the past.

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2 Choose appropriate museums and resources

The next step is to choose the museums and resources that best suit your curriculum and your students' needs and interests. You can explore a variety of museums, such as art, history, science, or cultural museums, depending on your subject and theme. You can also use online resources, such as virtual tours, digital collections, podcasts, videos, or blogs, to access museums from anywhere. You can also collaborate with museum educators to design customized programs or projects that fit your curriculum and learning outcomes. By choosing appropriate museums and resources, you will provide your students with diverse and engaging opportunities to learn from museums.

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Helena Kore

Strategic Communications & Intentional Engagement
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Choosing appropriate museums and resources is a critical aspect of effective museum integration into the curriculum. As more students come from diverse backgrounds, it's important to consider which cultures & histories are celebrated in the museums. Additionally, it's important to consider the context of how the artifacts arrived: Were the riches stolen by the victors? Finally, consider exploring the history behind mainstream content. For example, consider the Arabic backgrounds of mathematics, Polynesian navigation systems and geometry, and indigenous practices of plant medicine.

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3 Prepare your students and yourself

The third step is to prepare your students and yourself for the museum education. You can use pre-visit activities, such as brainstorming, researching, or discussing, to activate your students' prior knowledge and curiosity. You can also use post-visit activities, such as reflecting, writing, or presenting, to reinforce your students' learning and connect it to your curriculum. You can also prepare yourself by familiarizing yourself with the museum's policies, procedures, and expectations, and by communicating with the museum educators before, during, and after the visit. By preparing your students and yourself, you will maximize your students' learning and enjoyment from the museum education.

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Erik Holland

State Historical Society of North Dakota - retired
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Teacher preparation can be greatly enhanced by scheduling walkthrough discussions of what curricular connections and activities can be supported by the museum. We offer teacher workshops that focus how teachers can engage their students with the galleries. This approach can encourage teachers to use free-choice learning techniques to do more than reward students. If teachers can help students to understand how designers have organized the objects the learning objectives can more easily be met.

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4 Facilitate inquiry and dialogue

The fourth step is to facilitate inquiry and dialogue during the museum education. You can use open-ended questions, prompts, or strategies, such as See-Think-Wonder, Visual Thinking Strategies, or Object-Based Learning, to encourage your students to observe, analyze, interpret, and express their ideas about the museum objects and exhibits. You can also use dialogue techniques, such as active listening, paraphrasing, or probing, to foster your students' communication and collaboration skills. By facilitating inquiry and dialogue, you will help your students develop critical thinking and creativity skills from the museum education.

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5 Connect to real-world issues and contexts

The fifth step is to connect the museum education to real-world issues and contexts. You can use the museum objects and exhibits as catalysts for exploring topics, such as diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainability, or social justice, that are relevant to your students' lives and communities. You can also use project-based learning, service learning, or action research methods, to engage your students in authentic and meaningful tasks that address real-world problems or needs. By connecting the museum education to real-world issues and contexts, you will inspire your students to become active and responsible citizens from the museum education.

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6 Assess and evaluate the museum education

The sixth and final step is to assess and evaluate the museum education. You can use formative and summative assessments, such as rubrics, portfolios, or surveys, to measure your students' learning outcomes and progress from the museum education. You can also use feedback and reflection tools, such as journals, blogs, or podcasts, to collect your students' opinions and insights about the museum education. You can also use data and evidence, such as attendance, engagement, or achievement, to demonstrate the impact and value of the museum education. By assessing and evaluating the museum education, you will improve your teaching practice and advocate for museum education in your school and district.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are some effective ways to integrate museum education into K-12 curriculum?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Align with standards and goals

2 Choose appropriate museums and resources

3 Prepare your students and yourself

4 Facilitate inquiry and dialogue

5 Connect to real-world issues and contexts

6 Assess and evaluate the museum education

7 Here’s what else to consider

K-12 Education

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What are some effective ways to integrate museum education into K-12 curriculum?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Align with standards and goals

2 Choose appropriate museums and resources

3 Prepare your students and yourself

4 Facilitate inquiry and dialogue

5 Connect to real-world issues and contexts

6 Assess and evaluate the museum education

7 Here’s what else to consider

K-12 Education

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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