NEW!
Program Description
The mail has played a crucial role in shaping our First Amendment rights. From 18th century postmasters working to distribute newspapers through cheap, impartial delivery, to the battleground of Sunday mail, and the liberties and limitations of free speech through the post, the Postal Service and the First Amendment are connected.
In the It’s My Right! Postal Service, Power, and the First Amendment virtual field trip, your students will explore connections between postal history and civics. After a deep dive into the intersections of the First Amendment and the post through object-based learning, students will be challenged to consider modern implications of the relationship between the mail and the First Amendment through a museum provided asynchronous social justice focused art making activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this program right for my students?
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Grade Level
This virtual program is designed for students in 9th through 12th grade. We can accommodate a maximum of two grade levels for a registered program, e.g. grades 9 and 10. We cannot accommodate a request for more than two grade levels, e.g. 9th-11th. If your group is mixed grade levels more than two grades apart, please reach out to NPMEducation@si.edu to discuss a custom program. -
Homeschool Groups
We are pleased to be able to offer our student programs to homeschool groups as well as to traditional schools. Home-school groups must fit the same criteria as traditional school groups. Please consult the guidelines on this page to determine whether your homeschool group meets the requirements. -
Number of students
The minimum number of students we can accommodate for this program is 10. The maximum number of students we can accommodate for this program is 30. If your group is more than the maximum number, please schedule multiple times and/or dates for your program. -
Dates and Times
Available by advance reservation between 9:30 am and 12:00 pm ET, Tuesdays through Fridays. Special requests for dates and times outside of our regularly scheduled programs are considered on a case-by-case basis. The National Postal Museum has the right to cancel or alter the scheduled program if your group is more than 10 minutes late. All programs will end at the designated time. -
Program Duration
This program is 50 minutes long. -
Chaperones
Adult chaperones are required for all student programs. A minimum of one chaperone must remain online and present for the duration of the program. Failure to provide a chaperone for the entire session will result in the cancellation of a program. -
Inclement weather
If your school is closed or on a two-hour delay, or if the federal government is closed or on a delayed opening, your program will be cancelled. The Museum will attempt to reschedule weather-related cancellations when possible. -
Cancellations
If you need to cancel or reschedule a student program, please email NPMEducation@si.edu at least one week prior to the scheduled program. Please be aware that we may not be able to accommodate rescheduling requests because timeslots fill up quickly. No-shows and/or frequent last-minute cancellations may result in the inability to reserve a guided program for your student group for the remainder of the academic year.
Request a Reservation!
You can request a reservation by submitting the registration form, linked below. Please be advised that submitting a registration form is only a request. Written confirmation (via email) from the museum constitutes a booking guarantee. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address provided on the form within one business week. Questions regarding your registration request should be directed to NPMEducation@si.edu.
