The National Mall Gateway is a dynamic, first-of-its-kind digital and onsite platform that transforms America’s most iconic public space into its greatest living classroom, offering profound benefits for students, educators, and the public. It democratizes access to vital civic learning resources for teachers and students, especially those who lack the opportunity for a physical class trip. Educators gain access to pre-made, standards-aligned lesson plans, classroom toolkits, and virtual field trips, which significantly reduces preparation time and provides a strong foundation for teaching. Students benefit from deeply engaging features like 360° tours and immersive storytelling, which help them connect to history on an emotional level, fostering deeper comprehension and inspiring them to grow as informed, engaged citizens and lifelong learners.


Formats/platforms used:

The product is a digital platform with both virtual and onsite components, accessible on desktop and mobile devices. It is designed to be easily used in a virtual setting or by students and educators while physically on the Mall.

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Website’s URL:

https://gateway.nationalmall.org/en


Problem solved:

The National Mall Gateway helps with civic education, teaching American history and democratic principles, and providing engaging learning experiences.

It solves the problem of:

  • National Mall Accessibility: It meets the important need of providing meaningful access to the National Mall’s history for millions of students worldwide who are unable to visit in person.
  • Curriculum Support and Prep: It offers ready-made, standards-aligned content (lesson plans, toolkits, virtual field trips), alleviating the research burden on teachers.
  • Student Engagement: It provides highly interactive and immersive tools that help students connect with historical concepts, making learning more powerful and memorable.


Grade/age range:

K-12


Core/supplemental/special needs/extracurricular/professional development:

The product addresses Core and Supplemental curriculum needs, specifically for civic education and American history. It provides a source of Professional Development by giving educators a high-quality framework and resources. It also addresses special needs by adhering to National Park Service standards on ADA accessibility.


Subject/topic:

The product is mapped to the subjects of American History and Civic Learning (Civics), focusing on the people, places, and principles that have shaped American democracy and the Constitution of the United States. It is explicitly aligned with national education standards and curriculum frameworks.


Lesson time needed:

The time needed is flexible and scalable. The Gateway can be used:

  • For a brief lesson, such as a 45-minute virtual session with a Park Ranger using a ready-made lesson.
  • As a complete framework and support system for teachers, providing content to build an entire unit of study.
  • To introduce concepts that inspire long-term, deeply involved student projects that extend beyond typical lesson time.
  • As a planning tool and guide for in-person visits to the Mall.


Pricing model:

N/A (product is free)


What makes unique?

The National Mall Gateway is unique for educators because it is the only platform that provides a centralized, standards-aligned, and curated digital resource that is tied directly to the physical and historical authority of the National Mall and the National Park Service. It offers a consistent, high-quality foundation for teaching American history and civics. Its immersive features (360° tours, multimedia) allow students to experience the Mall virtually, which for many, is the only possible path to access this history.

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Characteristics

Characteristics and Design (UI/UX)

The Gateway is designed for an optimal user experience in the educational setting, ensuring it is easy to use on desktop and mobile devices.

  • Interactive Map and 360° Tours: The UI provides engaging and accessible media content to explore the sites.
  • Educator Resources Section: Dedicated sections ensure that lesson plans and toolkits are easily found and implemented.
  • Custom Itineraries: This feature allows educators and students to build personalized learning journeys based on their curriculum needs.
  • Accessibility: Content is currently in English with a Spanish translation coming soon, and the platform adheres to ADA accessibility standards, ensuring wider student reach.

Instructional Design Principles

  • Contextual Learning: The platform adheres to the principle of learning by directly connecting classroom concepts to real-world monuments, speeches, and events that took place on the National Mall.
  • Experiential and Emotional Engagement: Through immersive 360° tours and multimedia storytelling, the platform encourages a deeper, more emotional connection with history that traditional methods, which is shown to increase student retention and intellectual curiosity.
  • Scaffolding: Standards-aligned lesson plans and toolkits act as scaffolding, giving teachers a strong, credible framework to implement the material without having to spend time on research or content development.
  • Inquiry-Based Learning: The platform encourages students to explore, analyze, and ask deeper questions about the history represented on the Mall.


What users are saying:

“The possibilities are endless with the National Mall Gateway. I use it with my students to prepare them for trips to D.C. They’re visibility excited when I show them the materials in the Gateway.

When students experience the National Mall, they feel deeply connected to the stories that have shaped our country’s history. The Gateway brings that experience to classrooms even if they can’t see the Mall in-person”

- Melaney Sanchez, teacher librarian at Mount Harmony Elementary

"The Gateway to the National Mall website beautifully captures the wonder of discovery and the power of place-based learning. As a gifted education teacher, I see how this resource invites students to think deeply, ask bold questions, and make meaningful connections to our nation’s story. It transforms history from something they read about into something they feel and experience. I wholeheartedly encourage educators to explore it and watch their students’ curiosity come alive."

- LeAnn Simmerman, Teacher of the Gifted in Maury County, TN Public Schools.