Educational Resources

For all of the educators, caregivers, and students looking for engaging and educational activities to do right from home, look no further! This portal brings together many of the museum’s resources, including links to our virtual “Fieldtrips,” digital collections, online resources, and fun activities for kids based on the museum’s research and collections. Content on this page will be updated often, so be sure to check back for new information and activities!

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

NYSM Video Library

Past Program Video Library

Never miss a moment of NYSM virtual programming! Access our most recent virtual field trips, guided tours, collection highlights, and educational programs for all ages.

Teacher Activity

Teacher Guides & Activities for Students

Find lesson plans for activities about Fort Orange and Women's Suffrage, as well as other educational links and resources, all available from our main NYSM education page.

 

NYSM Collections

The NYSM houses millions of objects, artifacts, fossils, and documents within separate collections. Learn more about each of the collections below:

ARCHAEOLOGY

BIOLOGY » GEOLOGY

» HISTORY

» NATIVE AMERICAN ETHNOGRAPHY

PALEONTOLOGY

NYSM VIDEOS

Women’s History Month Collections Tour

 

Around the Museum in a Minute

Mary Banning: The Fungi of Maryland Watercolors

It takes just 60 seconds to learn more about WWI hero, Henry Johnson.

Visit the NYSM YouTube Channel for more NYSM 60-Second Spotlights.

 

old photograph of NYS Education Building

Tour the NYS Education Building in 360 Degrees!

Join NYSM Educators as they take you on 360 degree tours of the New York State Education Building! From the Rotunda and Regents Room to the replica Liberty Bell, learn all about the history and architecture of this historic state building. 

 

A Museum Moment

The New York State Museum invites you inside its research labs, into the collections, behind the scenes of exhibitions, and to explore other aspects of its work.

Take a moment and check out more videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAEFD89C2169AB227

EDUCATOR RESOURCES

Women's History Month Logo

Women's History Resources

Join the NYSM in commemorating the important role women have in the history of our state. Access videos, educational activities, and more through this comprehension resource page.

Votes For Women

Women's History Month Online CTLE Credit for Educators

Explore the 360 Gallery Tour of the NYSM's exhibition, Votes For Women: Celebrating New York’s Suffrage Centennial, and earn 1 credit hour of Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE).

Votes for Women Educator Guide Cover

Votes for Women Educator’s Guide and Graphic Organizer (PDF)

Educators using this guide will know that students depart with a basic understanding of how suffragists and advocates fought for women’s rights in New York, and how these efforts and techniques impacted national women’s rights movements.

Berenice Abbott - Changing New York

Family Guide: A Closer Look at Berenice Abbott: Changing New York

Explore the work of this ground-breaking photographer with the children in your life through the Family Guide, “A Closer Look at Berenice Abbott: Changing New York.” This online feature helps young photographers and art historians learn about Abbott, engage with her photographs, and document their own changing communities.

CTLE Logo

Online CTLE Credit & Teacher Workshops from the NYSM

Learn how to earn CTLE credit through annual teacher workshops or programs offered online!

Black History Month at the NYSM

Black History Month!

African American history is New York State history. In recognition of Black History Month, the New York State Museum presents a variety of educational resources and programs about the experiences of Black New Yorkers that we invite you to explore, including the new exhibition "The Moral Arc Toward Freedom."

Native American Heritage Month Logo

Native American Heritage Month Resources

Discover resources that honor the cultural heritage, diverse histories, and continuing contributions of Native People.

Historic Woodstock Paintings

Historic Woodstock Art Colony Educational Resources

Learn more about the history and art of the Woodstock Art Colony through downloadable Educator Guides and Google Classroom lessons. 

Relief Printing and the Works of Frank C. Eckmair

Relief Printing and the Works of Frank Eckmair

This lesson encourages students to gain a basic understanding of printmaking. Students will use observation skills to evaluate, discuss, and connect to the art of printmaker Frank C. Eckmair. They will experiment with techniques and create their own linocut print; learn how to care for materials and use tools in a safe and responsible manner; and make connections between process and meaning. 

Exploring DDT’s Effect On Raptor Populations - Teacher Guide

Birds of New York Educator Guides

Your students will want to fly through these new science/ELA curriculum materials that accompany the exhibit Birds of New York

Henry DiSpirito, Refugees (Mother and Child), c. 1953

DiSpirito Educational Guides & Curator Presentation

Learn more about the sculptor Henry DiSpirito and his experiences both as an artist and as an immigrant to the United States through two recently added Educator Guides and a video presentation by NYSM Historian Ashley Hopkins-Benton.

 

FUN ACTIVITIES

"Home" Work!

These themed activities are perfect for educators, caregivers, and students looking for fun ways to stayed engaged at home.

Photo of man in rowboat

Photographing the Adirondacks

Learn about famed photographer, Seneca Ray Stoddard, and then make your own pinhole “camera” viewer!

Half Moon

Maritime Fun and the Half Moon!

Learn more about the journey of the Half Moon (de Halve Maen) and what life was like for the sailors aboard. Introduce your kids to basic nautical vocabulary with games and activities! Have students

Eurypterid

Fun with Fossils

Learn about the New York State Museum's fossil collections and then make your own fossil egg!

Color lithograph of Erie Canal 1829

Erie Canal

The Erie Canal was built using the science of simple machines. Learn more about New York State's great canal and then make your own simple machine!

gold mineral

Minerals Rock!

Have your kids learn about minerals from New York and then grow their own crystal structure!

Empire State Plaza planning sketch

Fun with Architecture

Enjoy these architecturally-focused activities!

right whale

Whale-tastic Activities

Learn about the NYSM right whale and do an experiment with blubber!

COMMUNITY

Connect with PBS!

Resources for Young Children on Race, Racism, and more:
https://www.wxxi.org/education/resources-young-children-race-racism

Explore films and new specials focused on race:
https://www.pbs.org/articles/2020/06/racism-in-america/

Teachers! Check out these free standards-aligned videos, interactives, and lesson plans:
https://ny.pbslearningmedia.org/

Smithsonian Image

Talking About Race

Starting a conversation about race can be difficult. The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture created the online portal "Talking about Race" with tools for individuals, caregivers, and educators. We hope these resources can continue the dialogue.
https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race

New York State COVID-19 Documentation Initiative Logo

New York State COVID-19 Documentation Initiative

The New York State COVID-19 Documentation Initiative coordinates the documentation of the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NYSED Statement on Museum Deaccessioning

The New York State Board of Regents (“the Regents”) charters museums in New York State as educational corporations and has governing authority over these incorporated organizations. Orgranizations with questions regarding deaccession regulations can review this document or contact Chartering.