Jun

Join us on a summer road trip

In collaboration with USA TODAY, the Smithsonian presents Summer Road Trip, a Smithsonian at-home activity guide.

Preamble (detail), by Mike Wilkins.
In a show of American ingenuity, Mike Wilkins utilized a collection of vanity license plates to phonetically spell out the preamble to the US Constitution in abbreviated script. All fifty states and the District of Columbia are represented in alphabetical order. Though the plates rarely make sense on their own, together they re-create one of the greatest documents in American history. This work represents the meaning of the phrase “the United States” with a fun twist. (Courtesy Smithsonian American Art Museum)

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III recalls, “When I was young, I remember traveling with my family for summer vacations. As the son of two teachers, each drive turned into an opportunity to learn and have fun, whether learning some French during a trek into Canada or identifying the state license plates spotted on cars from across the United States.”

“Summer Road Trip” is a new 40-page activity guide that uses the vast collections and expertise of the Smithsonian to take learners on their own summer “road trip” of discovery. Through hands-on activities, puzzles and games, students will explore topics in STEM, history, and the arts. The guide features bilingual Spanish/English language content.

“Summer Road Trip” uses the theme of a road trip and iconic collections from Smithsonian to connect activities across disciplines. Learners are encouraged to let their minds wander and embark on a road trip to the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., making stops along the way to visit an artist’s gallery, explore local cuisine, learn about the local wildlife, and much more.

This summer learning guide will be printed and distributed in select cities and is available for free download below. An initial distribution of 75,000 copies will be sent to pick-up sites such as public libraries, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, meal distribution sites, and Smithsonian affiliate museums in several states, including Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the activities featured in the guide that you can also access on the Smithsonian Learning Lab:

Learners can construct their own biplane inspired by Bessie Coleman and learn more about her achievements through a National Air and Space story time.
Learners can reimagine an iconic portrait created by Amy Sherald and find additional coloring pages to showcase their creativity with National Portrait Gallery artworks.
Learners can curate their own mini-exhibits with objects from around their homes and tips from experts at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

Download the print-friendly guide

From the Smithsonian:

Office of Advancement, Office of Communications and External Affairs, Office of the Under Secretary for Education, and the Smithsonian education community.

From USA TODAY Network:

Melissa Galbraith, print planner, USA TODAY; Javier Arce, content manager, La Voz Arizona; Stacy Sullivan, community relations director, The Arizona Republic.