Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Invention of the Electric Guitar: The Guitars
In this online exhibition, learn about the evolution of the electric guitar by browsing dozens of influential guitar models. Through diagrams and audio samples, discover how different types of electric guitars work and sound.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Women Inventors
Discover the contributions of several women inventors. Did you know a woman invented the Kevlar Vest? Teacher resources available for download.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Tinker Ball
Build a virtual Rube Goldberg machine, and try to create a successful path for the ball. Requires Adobe Flash.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Human Evolution Timeline Interactive
Explore the evidence for human evolution in this interactive timeline - climate change, species, and milestones in becoming human. During the period of human evolution, the Earth's climate has fluctuated between warm and cold. Some of...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Magazine: First City in the New World?
An account about Caral, Peru that suggests there was a civilization present in Peru much earlier than was previously thought. The article describes Caral as an ancient city that was flourishing at the same time the Great Pyramids were...
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: The Story of the Pony Express
This article explores the story of the Pony Express, the "speedy" mail service that once connected the Eastern U.S. with the West.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Star Route Service
An explanation of the contract service for carrying the mail, called Star Route Service. You can read a brief explanation of the Star Route scandal that came to a head during the term of Chester A. Arthur.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Autographed Airmail Envelope
Read the story of the first regularly scheduled airmail service. See how Woodrow Wilson's Postmaster General, Arthur Burleson, who purchased the first airmail stamp, arranged for the Red Cross to benefit from that stamp. Included are...
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Object of the Month: Mail From the Hindenburg Crash
Provides background information and details of the Hindenburg crash, plus descriptions and photos of mail salvaged from the wreck. Suggested reading material and an audio/visual clip of the actual crash also included. [1:13]
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: History of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum
Audio and video presentation on the history of the national postal delivery system that started in 1775 with the appointment of Benjamin Franklin as Postmaster General. [3:14] Also provides the history of the National Postal Museum in...
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Moving the Mail
This online exhibit takes students through various means of delivering mail via land, sea, and air. Historic, primary materials are used throughout the exhibit.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Customers & Communities
This online exhibit tells the story of the mail service in the rural and urban areas in the 20th century. Historic, primary materials are used throughout the exhibit.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Binding the Nation
A multi-part online exhibit that traces the development of the U.S. Postal System. Artifacts may be clicked on and text explains their significance. Historic, primary materials are used throughout the exhibit.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Smithsonian Jazz: Duke Ellington
This site provides audio clips, photos, and biographical information of this legendary composer and performer. A match game teaches and tests your knowledge of Ellington.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Science Education Center: Habitats
Explore different habitats and match them to the animals that belong there. After choosing a correct animal, click on the caption to get information about it.
Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum: Pilot Pals
Four animated activities introduce early learners to basic concepts about the weather, gears, airplane parts, and rockets.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Learning Lab: Prehistoric Climate Change and Why It Matters Today
A slideshow will introduce the process of climate change that the earth has experienced since the beginning of time. Discover "leaf margin analysis" which scientists use while studying fossils to determine the temperatures they were...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Science Education Center: Weather Lab
Find out how good your weather prediction skills are as you study the movements of air and water, and their interactions. Then predict what the spring holds for residents of different regions of the United States, and what people should...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Archives of American Art: Oral History Interview With Charles White
This resource provides a transcript of an interview from 1965 with Charles Wilbert White.
Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum: Pioneers of Flight: Amelia Earhart
Illustrated essay on the pioneering step taken by Amelia Earhart when she became, in 1932, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: "Americans Will Always Fight for Liberty"
View a photo and read a brief description of the "1778-1943 Americans Will Always Fight For Liberty" poster. Also included is a description of the role of the U.S. Office of War Information and the themes it developed for war propaganda.
Smithsonian Institution
Tween Tribune: Underwater Expedition Finds Sunken Warship
A piece of history was discovered in the Pacific waters in August, 2016. Check it out!
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian National Zoo: Cheetah
Smithsonian site showcases this striped carnivore. Users are able to view a cheetah cam as well as learn some interesting facts about the cheetah.