Museum Education Initiative

Overview

The Middle States Council for the Social Studies (MSCSS) is proud to introduce its Museum Education Initiative, a collaborative effort designed to strengthen connections between K–12 educators and the rich cultural, historical, and academic resources found throughout the Middle States region. This initiative aims to increase the visibility of treasured museums, cultural institutions, and institutions of higher education, highlighting the unique learning opportunities they offer to teachers and students.

Through this program, MSCSS seeks to expand access to museum-based educational tools, classroom-ready resources, virtual and in-person learning experiences, and special programs specifically tailored to the needs of K–12 social studies educators. By fostering partnerships and spotlighting innovative museum offerings, the initiative empowers teachers to enhance student engagement, deepen historical thinking, and bring authentic, place-based learning into their classrooms.

Ultimately, the Museum Education Initiative serves as a hub that connects educators with high-quality, trusted institutions—supporting meaningful, curriculum-aligned learning experiences that inspire curiosity, civic awareness, and a lifelong appreciation for history and culture.

Museums across the Middle States region—DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, and PA —are invited to explore partnership opportunities with us! If your institution is interested in collaborating on programs, initiatives, or shared goals, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to presidentmscss@gmail.com to submit a partnership request or learn more.

Partnership Events

Webinar: Beyond Brown vs. Board of Education

February 11, 2026 from 3:30-4:15 EST

Beyond Brown v. Board: Hidden Stories, Court Cases, and Contemporary Connections Using Gale In Context

Brown v. Board of Education is a cornerstone of U.S. history instruction, but the story of school desegregation is far deeper and more complex than a single Supreme Court decision. In this session, educators will learn how to use Gale In Context resources to move beyond the traditional lesson plan, helping students uncover the people, cases, and long-term consequences that shaped educational equity. Together, we’ll explore related Supreme Court cases and examine powerful individual stories. We will also trace the immediate aftermath of the ruling, the resistance that followed, and the decision’s ongoing legacy in current events.

Registration is FREE, and participants will receive a certificate of attendance that they can use for Professional Learning hours.

This is a Pre-Conference Webinar, in partnership with Gale, part of Cengage School.

Missed the webinar? No Problem! Access the resources and webinar recording here.

Teaching the Early Republic Through Women's History

Past Event, Co-Hosted with The New York Historical

Teaching in A Time of Turmoil

Past Event, Co-Hosted with the National Women's Foundation

Resources & Tools Hub

Serving as a trusted hub for collaboration and discovery, the MSCSS Resources and Tools Hub connects educators directly with curated, curriculum-aligned resources from distinguished partner museums and institutions of higher learning across the Middle States region. These partnerships provide streamlined access to high-quality tools and learning opportunities that inspire curiosity, strengthen civic understanding, and foster a lifelong appreciation for history, culture, and the social sciences.

Please click on the icons below to explore these amazing resources.