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Educational Programs

The museums and galleries in the Illinois State Museum system offer school and group programs tailored to their exhibits, events, and communities. To learn more about these programs visit the following pages for ISM-Springfield, ISM-Dickson Mounds Museum, and the ISM-Lockport Gallery.

Illinois History Day!

More information COMING SOON!!!

Turning Points in History

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of National History Day, the 2024 theme will be Turning Points in History. This year’s theme invites you to consider questions of time and place, cause and effect, change over time, and impact and significance.  

A turning point in history is more than just an important event that happened a long time ago. It is more than a new idea or a particular  action taken by an individual. A turning point is an idea, event, or action that directly, or sometimes indirectly, causes change.

Check out more theme resources and start your research today!

Learning Online

Check out our Educator's Webpage with virtual exhibits, information, activities, and resources for educators. Our Family Fun Site also offers activities that can be adapted to the classroom. 

We also have a variety of online resources designed for K-12 teachers that covers a variety of subjects.

Field Trip Resources

Department of Natural Resources Biodiversity Field Trip Grants are available to support the costs of your field trip. 

Plan your class field trip here.