Cooper Hewitt, National Design Museum

The Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum showcases historic and contemporary design and explores the impact of design on the material realm and its role in individual and collective experience.

On-site programs: Guided tours explore museum exhibitions through drawing and discussion and challenge students to create their own designs. Design professionals are frequently involved in programs, and postvisit activity guides are available. (Grades K–12; $)

Professional development: The City of Neighborhoods: Bridging School and Community summer training program connects teachers and architects to create community-based projects that relate design concepts to local environments and can be replicated in the classroom. Each year features a different New York City neighborhood. Projects encourage the development of observation, communication, critical, and artistic skills. The weeklong Summer Design Institute offers workshops, master classes, and studio visits that help teachers integrate design into curricula. New teacher credit is available. (For teachers of K–12; $)

Additional resources: The Design Education Resource Library holds books, curriculum resources, videotapes, and other design education materials from the United States and abroad.

General information: Address: 2 East 91st Street, New York, NY 10128; Phone: (212) 849-8351; Web: www.ndm.si.edu.

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