Certificate in Museum Teaching & Learning

Students in the archives learning about and handling an artifact with an instructor.

Contact Us

Questions can be directed to the Academic Engagement Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Penn Museum Certificate in Museum Teaching and Learning is designed for Penn graduate students who want to incorporate object-based, gallery-based, and observational learning into their teaching pedagogy. The certificate program is open to Penn graduate students from any discipline, and trains students on developing inquiry-based discussions, engaging with objects in the classroom, and approaching complicated questions in museum teaching, including colonialism, objectification, and ownership.

Certificate Requirements

Attend the “Intro to Object-Based Learning” workshop (offered each Fall).
Attend 3 additional workshops.
Participate in one “Observation Day” in the Fall OR Spring.
Complete a short teaching statement of 250 words
During an observation day, students will create a 10 minute gallery-based or object-based demonstration and receive feedback.

The certificate may be completed in one year or over multiple years. However, all requirements must be completed before the last day of the spring semester in order to receive a certificate for that academic year.

Spring MTL Workshop Schedule

Intro to Object-Based Learning
Dr. Anne Tiballi, Director of Academic Engagement
Thursday, January 25
12:00-1:00 PM
Penn Museum - Classroom L2

Out of the China Cabinet: Using Personal Artifacts to Tell Meaningful Stories
Paul Best, Museum Educator
Thursday, February 29
12:00-1:00 PM
Penn Museum - Classroom L2

Designing Historical Inquiry
Dr. Abby Reisman, Associate Professor, Penn GSE
Wednesday, April 24
1:00-2:00 PM
Penn Museum - Classroom L2

Teaching About Death and Dying
Dr. Pinar Durgun, Curator, Pergamonmuseum, Berlin
Wednesday, April 10
This will be presented via Zoom. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be added to the mailing list.

Spring Semester Observation Days
March 14 & May 2
1:00-4:00 PM
Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least two weeks prior to reserve objects (three maximum) for your demonstration.