Social Studies

Get lost in this gold mine of in-depth and highly accessible video interviews and biographies of notable African American people.

Explore the ways microtargeted political ads attempt to influence elections. Watch the video, and then use the worksheet and discussion questions to dig deeper.

Make the past and present relevant and accessible to students with research resources, expertly curated museum and archival collections, lesson plans, and more.

Arab American people have been contributing to the U.S. since the 1870s, yet their contributions have not been widely recognized.

Watch as National Geographic photographer George Steinmetz sails above the dunes of the world's most extreme deserts in his paraglider.

In their fight for racial and social justice, see how Asian American artists in the 1970s raised awareness around the Asian American experience.

Not only are vegetables good for your health, but they also can be used to make electricity and biofuel.

Learn how clean, renewable energy can drastically lower gas emissions and reduce our use of fossil fuels to potentially save our earth's climate.

Travel to Belize with Marie McGrory to find out how she made it through (almost) the whole trip without single-use plastics.

Check out this teen's interview with an expert about climate change and learn what young people can actually do about it.

Tour a range of sites from Hawaiian fish ponds to New York City's Chinatown with the National Park Service, and explore the history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the U.S.

How many times do you say "OK" each day? Ever wonder what it actually means? Watch and discover the origins of this commonly used word.

Choose three cities to research, and use the Quick Facts website at the top to answer the questions. Which city is your "winner" and why?

Engage your inner historian and tell your family's story—there's never been a better time. Use this guide for tips and inspiration, then get recording!

Analyze a curious new photo each week (posted on Sundays). Post your guess in the comments. Check back on Thursdays to see the actual caption.

Contribute to actual historical research and preservation at the Boston Public Library by transcribing the manuscripts of anti-slavery activists.

Make the past and present relevant and accessible to students with research resources, expertly curated museum and archival collections, lesson plans, and more.

Check out this teen's interview with an expert about climate change and learn what young people can actually do about it.

Honor the bravery of Elizabeth Jennings by reading about her historic stand against segregation in 19th-century New York.

Delve into the story -- dating back to the 16th century -- of the mythical Black queen Calafia, for whom California is named.

Read this article about nurses in Albania, identify the main idea, and find three facts that support it.

Discover the history and symbolism behind the red envelopes people exchange during Lunar New Year.

Read this article about two of the most influential writers in French and Russian literature, who many don't realize have African ancestry.

Discover the trailblazing accomplishments of Matthew Henson, who broke boundaries both as an arctic explorer and African American.

Browse, select, and read from this great collection of nonfiction and fiction texts written by Black writers, artists, and activists.

Explore this interactive article on facial recognition. Do you know of any tech like this used in your home or community? Is it worth it?

Read an article and watch a video about the impact of plastic bottles on the environment. Then explore some of the possible solutions.

Find out about the architecture, materials, and process used to create the world's tallest building. Then explore the math problems and social justice activities.

Take some time to listen to this stirring story of a young girl hiding from the Nazis during WWII. Free on Hoopla with a library card.

Learn how architecture and design shape our everyday world with the stories and history behind things we rarely think about.

Listen to this podcast to learn about the rise, fall, and legacy of Aztec civilization, a Mesoamerican culture in the 14th through 16th centuries.

Stay up to date on current events with these short podcast episodes on topics that matter today.

Choose from the famous writers and listen to them reading their own work in Spanish. If any capture your attention, find their work and read some more!

Ever wonder how denim became so popular? Listen to this history podcast on Levi's, arguably the most popular brand.

Immerse yourself in ancient history with this podcast that explores the rise and fall of past civilizations.

Listen to this heartbreaking story about the struggles of two sisters from the Philippines who move to Louisiana. Free on Hoopla with a library card.

Dive into this gripping story of an 11-year-old boy in Sudan during the civil war, based on a true story. Free on Hoopla with a library card.

Learn about these amazing women who defied expectations across the centuries. Great for the whole family.

Understand the essential qualities of good journalism, how news goes viral, and common tactics employed in news to deceive or manipulate reads.

For serious art, culture, and history buffs, challenge your knowledge with these crossword puzzles.

Read the stories and see the art, gardens, decor, and more of this extravagant French palace.

From the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde to the Statue of Liberty, explore the culture and history of the U.S.

Take a trip to George Washington's historic estate that served as his home with Martha Washington—and the home of hundreds of enslaved people.

Choose a country, read about it, and then explore the art and images that help define it. (Note: There are a few paintings with nudity.)

Motivate students to learn about the world's regions, ecosystems, and inhabitants with this addictive puzzler.

Lead a constitutional law firm in this interactive online game. Help match clients with the correct lawyer, and learn about how our government works.

Drive the "Justice Express" in this interactive game, and help citizens navigate our state and federal court systems.

Control all three branches in this simulation as you learn all about law making at the local, state, and federal levels.

Start your own presidential campaign and learn the ins, outs, and quirks of electoral politics in the United States.

Follow Ferdinand Magellan's first-ever route around the world. What were you surprised to learn about the voyage?

Explore the ways microtargeted political ads attempt to influence elections. Watch the video, and then use the worksheet and discussion questions to dig deeper.

Watch this series of videos exploring the activism and life of Dolores Huerta. Use the discussion guide to structure your thinking.

Learn about the struggles and triumphs of three extraordinary Latinx Americans including an astronaut, an actor, and a Broadway star.

Explore this exhibition focused on quilt-maker and artist Rosie Lee Tompkins, whose "put-togethers," as she puts it, experiment with color, shape, and texture.

Watch this video about Jesse Owens and the 1936 Olympics. Then use the discussion questions and worksheet to consider the role of protest in sports today.

Discover the history of mathematics with this timeline. Read the stories behind the math and see how what we know today evolved over time.

Analyze and discuss the influential photography of Kwame Brathwaite with a friend, family member, or teacher. Use the guiding questions to get things going.

Learn about and reflect on this shameful blight on American history and the courageous Japanese Americans who lived through it and fought against it.

Calculate the percent change of POC-owned businesses from 2015 to 2016. Consider factors that could have influenced these changes. Ponder what business you could start!

Dive into this unit on the philosophies and foundations of American government. Then, consider how our government today compares to what our founders envisioned.

Compare the coronavirus to the 1918 pandemic using this online exhibition. Then create a four-to-six-image presentation that shows the world's response to COVID-19.

Use an interactive map to complete this critical-thinking activity that investigates how trade routes affected the spread of the Black Death.

Arab American people have been contributing to the U.S. since the 1870s, yet their contributions have not been widely recognized.

Watch as National Geographic photographer George Steinmetz sails above the dunes of the world's most extreme deserts in his paraglider.

In their fight for racial and social justice, see how Asian American artists in the 1970s raised awareness around the Asian American experience.

Not only are vegetables good for your health, but they also can be used to make electricity and biofuel.

Learn how clean, renewable energy can drastically lower gas emissions and reduce our use of fossil fuels to potentially save our earth's climate.

Travel to Belize with Marie McGrory to find out how she made it through (almost) the whole trip without single-use plastics.

How many times do you say "OK" each day? Ever wonder what it actually means? Watch and discover the origins of this commonly used word.

Explore these art installations made from books that have been banned globally throughout various stages of history. Research the relationship between censorship and democracy.

What makes a book a book? Learn about the origins of bookmaking from design and fonts to paper and spines.

Learn about the story structure of the hero, from ancient warriors to modern-day Harry Potter. The variations come from the same template: the monomyth.

Be inspired by the indomitable spirit and intellect of Haben Girma, who graduated from Harvard Law while living with deaf-blindness.

Learn about the life of activist Marsha P. Johnson, who helped spark the Pride movement and a fight for LGBTQ+ rights that continues today.

Get lost in this gold mine of in-depth and highly accessible video interviews and biographies of notable African American people.

Tour a range of sites from Hawaiian fish ponds to New York City's Chinatown with the National Park Service, and explore the history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the U.S.

Browse and read—or learn about—the work of Latinx, Hispanic, and Chicano artists, activists, and more. (Note: Some texts require sign-in.)

Choose a theme to explore behind-the-scenes videos, stories, and objects featuring women who have shaped America as we know it.

Choose an artist or area to explore and discover the rich diversity of cultures and folk traditions across the United States.

Cut through the election season hype and find the information you need with these news and media literacy resources.

Explore the influence of Mexican art and culture in this stunning collection of influential work from painters, architects, filmmakers, writers, and other artists.

Use this curated collection to commemorate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Latinx Americans.

Find high-quality, standards-based resources relating to science, geography, world history, engineering, cartography, current events, and more.

Read or listen to the poem, and then notice the spacing between words and lines. What is this poem about? Why do you think it's written in this way?

Choose two or three places from the list (maybe there's one near you!) and do some research to find out more. Then, teach your family about them.

Use this app to better understand the experiences of a young refugee who fled to Malaysia from Myanmar. Note: Some disturbing content.

Use this Google Doc to research a leader from the Mexican Revolution. Who were they, and what role did they play?

Print this crossword puzzle to test your knowledge about famous Latinx people. Check your answers with page two!