Three free resources worth using this week.
A good book. A useful skill. An activity that gets everyone curious. Get a small selection of free discoveries, with a practical way to use each one.
We explain the access conditions, too—like whether you need a library card or an account.
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Inside the starter: classic ebooks, library borrowing, computer skills, museum collections, and the night sky.
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Make your own tiny museum.
Try this with a child, a grandchild, or someone who enjoys a curious conversation. No craft supplies required.
Birds, inventions, or patterns?
Choose a theme together. Open Smithsonian Open Access and search for objects that fit.
Be the curator.
Look at the objects on screen. Each person chooses a favorite and gives it a place in your imaginary exhibition.
“Why does this belong?”
Explain your choices. What do the three objects have in common? What would you call your museum?
This is our activity suggestion, not a Smithsonian program or endorsement. Check each item's permissions before downloading or reusing images.
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