Our team is excited to share new programs, teaching resources, and opportunities to engage with primary sources for the upcoming school year. We hope you will join us for one of our free education programs!
Check out our New Field Trips!
Through grade-appropriate, inquiry-based offerings, National Archives educators guide students on an exploration of American history using primary source documents. Explore some of our new program offerings for the 2026–2027 school year below!
For our complete list of programs, go to visit.archives.gov. To schedule a program, email fieldtrips@nara.gov. Remember to reserve your program at least 45 days in advance.
Archives Explorer: Discover Stories in the National Archives (Grades 3–12)
As the nation’s record keeper, the National Archives has preserved and provided access to the records of the United States of America for more than eight decades. This program invites students to explore our new permanent exhibit, The American Story, and discover the stories these records tell about important moments in our nation’s history. Students will apply primary source analysis skills to answer the following questions:
What types of records does the National Archives have?
What stories do these records tell?
How do these records shape what we know about our nation and government?
Make Your Voice Count (Grades K–12)
The Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, contains many of the nation’s most valued freedoms. Using the Bill of Rights as the starting point, this program invites students to explore our new permanent exhibit, The American Story, to discover how Americans have exercised their First Amendment rights to make their voices count. Students will apply primary source analysis skills to answer the following questions:
How have Americans exercised their First Amendment rights to bring about change in their communities?
Why should First Amendment rights matter to us today?
Voices of Independence (Grades 3–5)
The National Archives is home to one of our nation’s most important documents: the Declaration of Independence, adopted 250 years ago on July 4, 1776. This program explores the history behind this foundational document in our new special exhibition, Free and Independent. By examining historical records, students will investigate the many voices that contributed to the movement for independence and consider how those voices helped shape a new nation. At the end of the program, students will reflect on how they could add to the story of independence by using their voice for change in their community, school, or classroom.
The Declaration at 250: Symbolizing Freedom (Grades 6–12)
The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, has inspired generations of Americans and become a part of the cultural and historical fabric of the nation. This program invites students to explore our new special exhibition, Free and Independent, to discover how the Declaration has been represented and remembered throughout U.S. history. By analyzing primary sources, students will investigate the different symbols that people have used to represent the Declaration of Independence and the ideals it captures. They will also consider what these symbols reveal about the culture and historical era in which they were created. At the end of the program, students will reflect on what the Declaration of Independence means to them today.
Book One of Our New Virtual Programs!
Not able to visit a National Archives location? Connect with a National Archives educator from anywhere!
Join us for one of our live, interactive virtual learning programs. These programs are available for students in grades K–8 and are designed to promote civic literacy and engagement through primary source analysis.
We've highlighted one program for each grade band below, but these are just a few of the many learning opportunities available. To learn more about our virtual programs, visit civics.archives.gov to browse our complete list of programs and resources. To schedule a program, email civics@nara.gov. Remember to reserve your program at least 30 days in advance.
Grades K–2. Meet the Declaration
Students will learn about the Declaration of Independence and why it is important. By analyzing primary sources from the National Archives, students will explore the concepts of fairness and using your voice.
Grades 3–5. The Constitution and Our Community
Students will learn about the Constitution of the United States and how it connects to their communities. By analyzing primary sources from the National Archives, students will explore how people throughout history have used their voices and worked together to improve their communities.
Grades 6–8. The Bill of Rights in Real Life
Students will focus on the purpose and continued relevance of the Bill of Rights. Using National Archives records, they will identify historical scenarios related to the First, Fourth, and Eighth Amendments of the Bill of Rights, and make connections between these historical debates and their lives today.
Constitution Day Webinars
Dates: September 15, 16, and 17
This September, the National Archives is hosting student and teacher webinars on the Constitution to celebrate Constitution Day! Registration is required, but there is no minimum attendance requirement. You can learn more about these programs and register at civics.archives.gov.
Student Webinars:
The Constitution and Our Community (Grades 3–5)
Voting Rights, the Constitution, and Representative Government (Grades 6–8)
Teacher Webinars:
A More Perfect Union: Teaching the Constitution (Grades 3–8)
September 16, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m. EST
September 16, 2026 from 6 to 7 p.m. EST
September 17, 2026, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. EST
In December 2026, the National Archives will also offer student webinars to celebrate Bill of Rights Day. Be sure to check our website for program offerings!
What's New at the Archives?
The American Story showcases items and records in the National Archives that document important moments in our nation's history. Visitors can explore more than 40 original artifacts and documents, including a rare 1823 Stone Engraving of the Declaration of Independence; George Washington's annotated copy of the Constitution; and Presidential gifts, including horseshoes to President George H.W. Bush from Queen Elizabeth II.
The American Story is the first and only museum in Washington, DC, to use artificial intelligence (AI) to bring each visitor a special, individualized opportunity to explore the records of the American people and engage with American history. This exhibit brings more than 2 million historic records to life, offering a personalized journey through our nation's past.
The Discovery Centerat the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, invites visitors of all ages to experience the National Archives in new, hands-on, and interactive ways. Step into history by recreating dance moves from historical films, exploring how the government works in the National Archives Arcade, or testing your civic superpower skills. While Discovery Center activities are specifically designed for students from preschool through 6th grade, visitors of all ages are invited to play!
We recommend splitting large classes into smaller groups to explore the space.
In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the National Archives is pleased to present our new special exhibition Free and Independent: A Celebration of the Declaration. Free and Independent tells the story behind the Declaration of Independence, from the early stages of the Revolutionary War to the Declaration’s adoption in 1776, and examines some of the men who risked everything to sign it. The exhibit also explores how the Declaration has been preserved, protected, and remembered since its creation. The exhibition includes original records from the National Archives and other lenders, such as the Lee Resolution proposing independence, Marquis De Lafayette’s Oath of Allegiance, and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, as well as artifacts like a 600-pound working model of the original Mosler Vault. We invite visitors to enjoy Free and Independent from now through July 5, 2027.
Check out more National Archives records related to the Declaration of Independence on DocsTeach and Milestone Documents!
Beginning in March 2026, the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all enslaved people in the rebellious states were free, and the 19th Amendment, which removed restrictions for women to vote, were placed on permanent display in the Rotunda alongside the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC.
DocsTeach
Check out DocsTeach for primary sources and activities that connect with topics you are teaching in your classroom by searching by era, using our filters, or conducting a keyword search.
Bring history to life in your classroom with our new Letters to and from President Reagan Educational Activities, featuring authentic correspondence from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Archives. These free, classroom-ready lessons invite students to analyze real letters exchanged between President Reagan, world leaders, and everyday Americans, providing a unique opportunity to strengthen critical thinking and primary source analysis skills while gaining a deeper understanding of history.
Founding Friends, Founding Foes:
Civic Friendship, Rivalry, and Coalition-Building in the Age of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
Celebrating 10 Years of Leadership at the Situation Room Experience
Join us this fall as we celebrate 10 years of inspiring tomorrow's leaders—one decision at a time. Visit situationroom.archives.gov to learn more and to book your experience today!
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