The 9/11 Memorial & Museum has educated 20 million students across the United States about the September 11 attacks, a significant milestone announced on Wednesday. This achievement comes as the museum marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks, with students from all 50 states participating in its annual digital learning experience.
Beth Hillman, president and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, stated, "We have a sacred obligation to remember what happened on 9/11 — and to ensure future generations never forget." She emphasized the museum's commitment to providing educators with resources to share these important stories.
An estimated third of the American population is either too young to remember the attacks or was born after them. The museum's educational efforts have included virtual programming and lesson plans since its establishment. This year, approximately 1.5 million students participated in the Anniversary Digital Learning Experience, a 50% increase from the previous year. The program features a 35-minute on-demand film with firsthand accounts from the attacks and a live chat with museum staff.
The museum's focus on educating younger generations has intensified as more students become distanced from the events of September 11. The City Council recently announced a $1 million scholarship fund to support the museum's programs, primarily funding free field trips for 20,000 public school eighth graders. Each audio-guided field trip costs around $23 per student.
Additionally, 9/11 Memorial & Museum Chairman Michael Bloomberg announced he would match contributions to The Never Forget Fund, up to $25 million, to commemorate the anniversary. Noah Rauch, senior vice president for education and public programs at the museum, highlighted the ongoing mission to educate and inspire new audiences through innovative programming.