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Educational Resources & Activities Portal
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
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 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
Warrior of the Revolution: Colonel Louis Cook of the Seven Nations of Canada
Around the Museum in a Minute
Mary Banning: The Fungi of Maryland Watercolors
It takes just 60 seconds to learn more about illustrator and amateur mycologist Mary Banning.
Visit the NYSM YouTube Channel for more NYSM 60-Second Spotlights.
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
Native American Heritage Month Resources
Discover resources that honor the cultural heritage, diverse histories, and continuing contributions of Native People.
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!
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."
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.
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 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.
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!
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.
Download-ables!
Download one of these fun and engaging activities today to keep those little ones busy and bright!
- Coloring: The A Train (PDF)
- Coloring: Dr. Mary Walker (PDF)
- Coloring: Firetruck (PDF)
- Coloring: Eurypterid (PDF)
- Coloring: Canal Packetboat (PDF)
- Coloring: Biplane (PDF)
- Coloring: Carousel Horse (PDF)
- Coloring: Beaver Family (PDF)
- Coloring: Black Bear Family (PDF)
- Coloring: Adirondack Moose (PDF)
- Coloring: Mastodon Family (PDF)
- Backyard Scavenger Hunt (PDF)
"Home" Work!
These themed activities are perfect for educators, caregivers, and students looking for fun ways to stayed engaged at home.
Photographing the Adirondacks
Learn about famed photographer, Seneca Ray Stoddard, and then make your own pinhole “camera” viewer!
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
Fun with Fossils
Learn about the New York State Museum's fossil collections and then make your own fossil egg!
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!
Minerals Rock!
Have your kids learn about minerals from New York and then grow their own crystal structure!
Fun with Architecture
Enjoy these architecturally-focused activities!
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/
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
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.
The New York State Museum is a program of the University of the State of New York
New York State Education Department