A child stands between two adults, thoughtfully holding a pen near his mouth, as they discuss ideas in front of a colorful wall filled with written hopes and wishes for the future.

What hopes and dreams would your students add to a time capsule for the next 50 years?

The Smithsonian Is Creating a Time Capsule of Hopes and Wishes for the Next 50 Years

July 9, 2025

The Smithsonian Is Creating a Time Capsule of Hopes and Wishes for the Next 50 Years

Students reflect on their hopes for the future by contributing to a Smithsonian time capsule project, using media literacy and civic engagement to connect past, present, and future generations.

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PBS News Hour Classroom
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NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this bell ringer activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?

The Civic Season Pavilion inside the Smithsonian National Museum of American History features a 28-foot mural inviting visitors to add their wish for America’s future, as we approach the U.S. 250th birthday. The letters will be collected into a time capsule and stored in the Smithsonian archives to be opened in 2075.

Discussion Questions

  1. What is the purpose of the time capsule?
  2. Where is the Smithsonian?
  3. When will the time capsule open? Why did the innovators choose that date?
  4. Who is Alex Edgar, and what does he do?
  5. How will the notes written by children be stored over 50 years?

Focus Questions

  1. When the time capsule is opened in 2075, what do you predict will be different in the world? What are you afraid of? What are you hoping for?
  2. If you had the opportunity to put a note in the time capsule, what would you say?
  3. What other items do you believe should be added to the time capsule? Why?
  4. Media literacy: Why did the Smithsonian decide to ask children about their wishes rather than adults?

Extension Activity

Watch the video below about a time capsule that was found in 2021. The video is over two hours long, it is recommended that you start at 1:20. After watching, discuss: 

  1. What items in the time capsule are most different from what we have in the U.S. today?
  2. Were you surprised by any of the items in the time capsule? If yes, which ones?

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Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.

PBS News Hour Classroom
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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