Giving Compass' Take:

• Education Dive reports on programs in the U.S. that let schools borrow priceless historical art and artifacts for extended lesson plans. The Arkansas Declaration of Learning is one such example of this in action.

• How can unique experiences like this enhance learning? How can funders help support educators who want to provide this type of experience for students? 

• Read about how hands-on learning can widen the world for young people.

Educators are often looking to amp up their art, history and social studies classes. Virtual reality can certainly beam students into locations and historic times that can’t be visited due to funding constraints — or the laws of physics.

But partnering with cultural institutions also opens the door to bringing actual physical artifacts and pieces of art into a classroom, allowing children to hold something that comes from other time — about as close to time travel as we can approach today.

These programs are studded across the country, from organizations as rich as the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Educators are allowed to check out objects — like a library loan — for up to an entire school year, which can include ceremonial artifacts and even ancient musical instruments. Some organizations require that educators apply almost a full school year in advance. Still, for the opportunity to get students time with a stone axe head — that bit of planning is likely worth the effort.

Read the full article about how real artifacts can help kids learn by Lauren Barack at Education Dive.