When Learning Comes to Life: The Power of Museums in Education

It was the second day of our family trip to Ireland. After a morning spent at the Irish Whiskey Museum and a lovely lunch, we made our way to Trinity College Library for our scheduled tour of the Book of Kells and the Long Room. As we exited the first part of the tour, we learned that many of the library’s books weren’t currently on display due to an intensive restoration project.

When we entered the Long Room—often compared to the library from the Harry Potter films—I braced myself for disappointment from my kids. Much of the space was under construction, and I assumed they’d be let down. But to my surprise, I looked over at my then-15-year-old daughter and saw a single tear tracing down her cheek.

She has always been a "library girl," but something about this space—filled with volumes spanning nearly 2,000 years—left her speechless. She was captivated by the preservation process and fascinated by the steps taken to protect these fragile pieces of history. As the rest of the family explored, pointing out familiar names and artifacts, I watched her out of the corner of my eye. She was in awe—not just of the books, but of the shared human stories they represent, and the reality that, without deliberate effort, they could be lost.

In that small, quiet moment, her world expanded. Her passion for “old things” was ignited and continues to shape the path she’s choosing for her future.

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My children have been fortunate to travel more than many, and as the official family itinerary planner, I always sneak in as many museum visits as I think will fly. During a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, 5th- and 8th-grade American History came alive in real time. A stop at the Moody Mansion in Galveston, TX, gave a visual context to the material excesses of the Gilded Age.

What made these moments meaningful, though, wasn’t just the places—it was the connections we helped our kids make. As an educator, I had a good sense of what they were learning in school, and I could guide them—gently—toward seeing those lessons in the exhibits. I have to be careful not to be too “teachery,” but a little curiosity, the right questions, and a few quiet nudges can transform a museum trip into something far more enriching.

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I'm continually reminded that true learning happens when students create their own meaning from the content they encounter. It’s about connections—recognizing them, valuing them, and integrating them into their understanding of the world. Museums, when aligned with what’s being taught in classrooms, provide an extraordinary opportunity to do just that.

When schools and museums partner intentionally, focusing on curriculum and relevance, the result is powerful: students who don’t just learn, but who care about what they learn.