Bring Dinosaurs Into Your Classroom—For Free!

BBC Studios and PBS have launched a free Walking With Dinosaurs virtual field trip for grades 3–6. Students can explore six dinosaur dig sites with immersive video clips, complete a printable Paleontologist Field Journal, and test their knowledge with quizzes. Extras include a Which Dinosaur Are You? quiz, Minecraft Education activities, and a teacher guide aligned to national science standards. These resources can save prep time while making science and STEM concepts come alive. Teachers can access the materials at the BBC Learning Hub. 

Doing Science at the Library: Chemistry in the Chambers

Chemistry at the Library of Congress (LOC)? Learn more about the science of how paper and adhesives change over time. A post from the blog Teaching With the Library, which features classroom activities for middle and high school levels using primary sources from the LOC’s collections, introduces the work of the Preservation and Research Testing Division (PRTD) through text and videos. After viewing videos from the Library’s PRTD Lab and discussing their content as a class, students design their own experiments about the effects of heat and light on paper. Students then analyze results from studies conducted by the PRTD on two different adhesives and use details from the blog’s provided photographs as evidence to support or refute their conclusions.

Where in the World is Leo DelMar? An Oceanic Mystery

Try this escape room–style activity for grades 9–12 to help students understand how satellite imagery is used to observe and learn about the Earth’s oceans, including sea surface temperatures, ocean color, cloud cover, and infrared imaging to spot illegal fishing vessels. In the activity, which was developed by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
and NASA’s Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), students use authentic JPSS maps, data, and satellite imagery to follow clues and solve a mystery of a missing person. Along the way, students develop and practice key graph-reading skills. Teacher materials include a printable PDF activity guide (with answers) and handouts for students.

Waterwise Garden Grants

These grants support public and charter schools planning to teach about water conservation, water stewardship, and responsible water management through gardening. In 2026, 25 elementary schools and/or middle schools will be awarded $1,000–$2,250 in funding and an irrigation supply kit valued at $500. Any public or charter grades K–8 school located in the United States or U.S. territories that works with at least 15 youth may apply. Applicants must be planning to use the funds to install a new or improve an existing youth garden. (Deadline October 3)

Informational Sessions for the YouthAstroNet Program

YouthAstroNet is a free Smithsonian program that empowers middle school youth to explore the universe using remotely controlled robotic telescopes and easy-to-use image-processing software tools to enhance their own (and NASA’s) astronomical images. Students discover that there are many ways to be a science person by exploring the profiles of diverse STEM professionals, asking questions, and participating in simple hands-on activities to connect the science and stories of the night sky to everyday life. As a YouthAstroNet educator or program leader, you’ll receive free online training (4–6 hours), support from a national community of STEM educators, and access to a suite of NGSS-aligned activities and resources.

Educators who participate in the project also can contribute to research by educators and researchers from the Smithsonian Institution and Harvard University on STEM learning by having their students complete pre- and post-surveys. Educators will receive $500 for this participation.

To participate during the 2025–2026 school year, complete this brief interest form. Learn more by attending a 20-minute information session on September 10 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time or on September 17 at 7 p.m. ET. Register for an informational session here: 
https://smithsonian.zoom.us/meeting/register/4cS21Z_iTNWsPhB8sHONnw.

Data Sensemaking Strategies With Scientists—Notice, Think, Wonder

In this free Data Puzzles workshop on October 8, curriculum developer Jon Griffith and atmospheric scientist Jen Kay will guide participants through a novel approach to the Notice, Think, Wonder strategy to support students in making sense of global temperature and atmospheric CO₂ data visualizations presented in the Not All Data Warming Is Equal lesson. After attendees engage with the strategy, Kay will contextualize the data visualizations by speaking about a phenomenon called Arctic amplification and will be available to answer questions. Advance registration is required.