Strengthening through Standards: Navigating Challenges in Education Programming

ID: WMA2026_547

Track:

Our organizations actively engage with communities in discussions that promote critical thinking about some of the most pressing issues we face today. This presents both opportunities and challenges, especially when addressing potentially contentious topics. Learn how our institutions navigate difficult topics by using curriculum standards to facilitate thought-provoking conversations and inspire students to think critically.  Brainstorm with colleagues to find curriculum links to specific topics and conversations your organization engages in.

Session Information

Format: Regular session/panel (roundtable, single speaker, etc.)

Uniqueness: We bring diverse perspectives from organizations of varying sizes, content focus, and experience. Participants will tackle real world issues and leave with actionable ideas.

Objectives:

1. Techniques employed by museums to present challenging subjects to youth. During the session, presenters will outline strategies from each organization for scaffolding programming that fosters productive conversations while in alignment with curriculum standards. This approach ensures that students grasp key concepts, hone their critical thinking skills, and equip educators with skills to mitigate student anxieties around complex topics.
2. How to align content with curricula. Following presentations from each organization, participants will collaborate in small groups to explore educational content and/or activities that go above and beyond what is explicitly outlined in public education learning standards, including deeper critical thinking, real-world applications, and advanced concepts. Session participant tasks will involve discussing a designated concept and collectively identifying connections to curriculum standards, as well as areas where certain topics may need to be approached with care.
3. Increase educator confidence in navigating conversations. Group members will have the opportunity to share challenges they face within their communities and brainstorm potential solutions. Through this collaborative process, we aim to empower participants with greater confidence in navigating educational programming for public schools.

Engagement: Audience participants will start by working together to connect a concept example to national standards. A concept and potential standards will be provided for group discussion. Next, participants will split into small breakout groups. Groups will brainstorm together and seek support from colleagues who may be addressing similar concerns. Panelists will engage with small breakout groups to help facilitate discussion.

Relationship to Theme:

Audience

Audiences: Other 

Professional Level: All levels 

Scalability: Museums of all types and sizes offer educational content to students on field trips, through outreach in classrooms, and to community members.  An ability to link programming to the foundation of approved curriculum benefits museums by maintaining relevancy and strengthening connections to ongoing learning both in and out of the classroom. This reliance on curriculum also enhances community education by providing programming credibility in a tenuous time. Additionally, this skill is scalable from addressing an individual teacher who needs support in justifying funding for an educational experience to administrative and legislative bodies who distribute funding.

Participants