The Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies is hosting an online education conference for teachers and their students that will focus on the historical and contemporary significance of the inauguration ceremonies Thursday, Jan. 10, starting at 1 p.m., EST. The teacher preview session will precede the conference Monday, Jan. 7, at 4 p.m., EST. While the main inauguration conference is intended primarily for classroom participation, families and individuals of all ages can join in to learn more about this historical event.

The “Teaching the 57th U.S. Presidential Inauguration” conference will provide context and information for student groups that will be traveling to Washington for inaugural events, as well as for classes that will be viewing these activities through various forms of media. The three 50-minute conference sessions will have a Q-and-A format with Smithsonian curators and a moderator introducing specific talking points and responding to questions prepared by students.

Read More > During the 50-minute teacher preview session, educators at the Smithsonian will highlight relevant museum resources and discuss teaching strategies to help teachers connect current events to their academic curricula and prepare their students for active participation in the main inauguration conference sessions.

To support both the teacher preview session and the inauguration conference, the website features a “virtual exhibit hall” that includes museum website links, interdisciplinary resources from around the Smithsonian and activities for students to engage in before, during and after the online sessions.

For more information or to register for the teacher preview session and online inauguration conference, the public can visit http://smithsonianeducationconferences.org/.

About Smithsonian Institution
Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex, consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. There are 6,000 Smithsonian employees and 6,500 volunteers. Approximately 29 million people from around the world visited the Smithsonian in 2011. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at 137 million.

Media Contacts
• Michelle Smith, Smithsonian, 202-633-5326 smithmk@si.edu
• Kristen Plemon, C. Blohm & Associates, 608-216-7300 x18, kristen@cblohm.com