Washington, D.C.
Apply NowSmithsonian Student Travel | On Campus | Washington, D.C.
Embark on a transformative adventure this summer in the nation’s capital, where history, culture, and science come alive. On this week-long high school program, join like-minded and intellectually curious peers in Washington, D.C., home to 19 of the Smithsonian’s most distinguished museums, cultural institutions, and research centers, for insider experiences that access the vast resources the Smithsonian has to offer. Based on a centrally located campus, focus on a seminar of your choosing and explore relevant, compelling topics and themes through the Smithsonian lens.
Complement your seminar experience with field visits to world-renowned museums, galleries, and research facilities, engage with subject-matter experts, professional educators, historians, guides, and curators, and go in-depth with your chosen theme. With the nation’s capital as your classroom and a treasure trove of Smithsonian knowledge at your disposal, unearth history, discover unexpected connections, and draw your own conclusions. Expand your horizons as you gain new knowledge, explore a passion or interest, and learn how to hone new or existing skills to help shape the future. A certificate of successful completion will be issued from the Smithsonian at the completion of each week.
Highlights
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Go behind the scenes in conversation with subject-matter experts
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Meet with experts and learn firsthand how our culture gets preserved
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Paddle on the Potomac and play frisbee on the National Mall
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Debate how specific artifacts speak to the ideals of our nation
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Arrival Day
Washington, D.C. ● 7 days
Throughout the program, work on an independent project and contribute what you find to the Smithsonian Learning Lab, a curated digital resource of all the Smithsonian has to offer. Your discoveries will live on for future students to explore and build upon, continuing to diffuse knowledge summer after summer.
At the end of the week, enjoy a final full-group celebration with instructors and peers to reflect on the experiences and knowledge gained. A certificate of successful completion will be issued from The Smithsonian at the end of each week-long session.
Read more about seminar-specific activities in the seminar descriptions below.
Departure Day
Air & Space
Engineering & the Race to Mars
Seminar Description »
Entrepreneurship
Business & American Ingenuity
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Race & Social Justice
Building a More Equitable Future
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Wildlife & Conservation
Protecting Ecosystems & Promoting Biodiversity
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Art & Influence
Art, Culture, & American Identity
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American Democracy & Media
Elections & the Mechanics of a Democracy
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Technology & Innovation
Engineering, Robotics, & Artificial Intelligence
Seminar Description »
Writing & Digital Storytelling
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Linking Sessions
Students can link multiple sessions of this program and will receive a $500 discount. There will be options for off-campus excursions, activities and programming during the days in-between sessions. Students who choose to stay over in between sessions may choose to participate in on-campus programming and activities, which is included in the tuition, or an off-campus overnight excursion, for which there is a supplemental fee.
What to Expect
Residential & Day Students
This program is open to both residential and day students. Residential students reside on campus for the duration of the program and three meals a day are covered by their tuition. Day students travel from their homes each morning to meet their seminar group after breakfast and remain with their group throughout the day. Day students return home after dinner and the evening activity every night. Lunch and dinner are included in day-student tuition.
A Day On Campus
Due to the dynamic nature of this summer program, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day on the Smithsonian On Campus program.
8am Enjoy breakfast with peers and leaders on campus
9am Meet your seminar group for an exclusive visit to one of the Smithsonian’s prestigious museums
12:30pm Break for lunch with a small group of peers at one of D.C.’s many restaurants and cafes
2pm Head out for an afternoon activity, like playing frisbee on the National Mall, exploring the waterfront, or riding bikes through Rock Creek park
6pm Reconvene with the larger group back on campus for dinner
7pm Reflect on the day at the nightly Community Meeting
7:30pm Venture out for your chosen evening activity, such as an open air concert in the park, a visit to the Reflecting Pool in front of the Capitol, or a night photography shoot along the Potomac
10:30pm Return to campus for the evening
11pm Lights out.
Physical Activity
Accommodations
Climate
Meals
Sign up for two programs & save $500!
$300 tuition discount + no application fee