Online Educator Resource Library
April 9, 2020
Scroll through to find a library of online resources related to WWII history, STEM education and aviation created by our partners and other reputable sources.
The National WWII Museum Online Resources
From the Collection to the classroom:
This is The National WWII Museum’s hub for curriculum resources. Four volumes of social studies curriculum for grades 7-12 as well as the “Real World Science” program are completely available online.
1. War in the Pacific Lesson Plans: From Pearl Harbor to the punishing jungles of Guadalcanal to the smoldering ruins of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, this curriculum guide and its accompanying multimedia assets will help you capture the unique challenges of the Pacific theater of World War II for your students.
2. War in Europe Lesson Plans: How far could the Axis Powers go in their quest to dominate Europe without drawing the United States into the fray? This curriculum guide follows America’s involvement in the European theater from the isolationism of the 1930s through the Roosevelt administration’s halting assistance to the Allies, and then into open conflict from 1942 until the end of the war.
3. The Home Front Lesson Plans: When the United States declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941, one day after the infamous attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, the country was suddenly driven out of a period of isolationism and onto the world’s stage as it mobilized the great arsenal of democracy.
4. Liberation & Legacy Lesson Plans: In September 1945, World War II—the deadliest conflict in human history—is finally over. The Allies stand victorious over the defeated Axis powers. Although no longer at war, the Allies now find themselves faced with perhaps an even greater challenge: rebuilding a broken world and attempting to forge a lasting peace.
5. Real World Science Lesson Plans: Real World Science is part of an effort by The National WWII Museum, and funded by the Northrop Grumman Foundation, to use the war that changed the world to teach how society turns to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) when it faces big problems.
STEM Activities At Home:
Download this PDF for fun and easy STEM activities to do at home, including DIY hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. To celebrate Women’s History Month, each activity is paired with a famous female scientist.
Distance Learning Video Archive:
Explore the Museum’s library of past distance learning programs, now available to view on demand. Programs are easily sorted by category to find the best clip or full video to enhance your curriculum. All programs are available with English captions.
Smithsonian Online Educator Resources
Smithsonian Science Education Center:
The Smithsonian Science Education Center has developed the following STEM resources to support “Distance Learning” needs for students in grades K-8. This site is designed for everyone—students, teachers, and caregivers. It includes standards-aligned educational games, simulations, videos, eBooks, and hands-on lessons that require simple materials found at home.
Smithsonian’s History Explorer:
Filter by age group, historical era and resource type to find collections, lessons and activities, worksheets and reference materials related to WWII history.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum:
Explore K-12 Learning Resources including topics on engineering and technology, flight, space, life planetary science and more!
- Airspace Podcast: Podcasts about all things science, space and flight!
- STEM in 30: STEM in 30 is an Emmy-nominated program for middle school students produced by the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. New episodes are released every month, followed by a Mission Debrief where you and your students can tune in live and ask our experts your questions.
HISTORY at Home: World War II
Learn about the conflict that defined the 20th century and view the war firsthand with full episodes of ‘World War II in HD,’ plus other selected HISTORY specials. Use their study guides to develop discussion, and check out short videos and text stories to answer common questions about U.S. history.
NASA at Home
Let NASA bring the Universe into your home. NASA At Home provides access to E-Books, fun lessons and activities for kids and families, virtual tours, podcasts, videos and opportunities to be a scientist in your own home.
WWII Online Learning Center
Explore the history of World War II and learn how you or your students can engage with our hand-picked list of resources. Find links to educational sites for students, teachers and parents to learn more about WWII.