Ada Dolch films this year's Digital Learning Experience at the Museum

9/11 Anniversary Digital Learning Experience

Join students and teachers from around the world to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of 9/11 by registering for the FREE 9/11 Anniversary Digital Learning Experience, formerly known as Anniversary in the Schools.

View a film highlighting first-person accounts of the attacks and their aftermath and connect with Museum staff in real-time through an interactive live chat. The 30-minute program will be available on demand beginning Monday, September 11, 2023.

2023 Trailer

DLE Trailer Eng

Our trailer is also available with Spanish subtitles, with ASL interpretation, and in Audio Description format. 

2023 Speakers

Ada Dolch was principal of the Leadership and Public Service High School, located next to the World Trade Center. On 9/11, she safely evacuated her students at the same time her sister, Wendy Wakeford, was at work on the 105th floor of the North Tower. In memory of her sister, Dolch helped establish a school in Afghanistan in 2005.

Dr. Kerry Kelly was the Chief Medical Officer for the FDNY when she responded to the World Trade Center on 9/11. After surviving the collapse of both towers, she engaged in advocacy work by assisting active and retired members experiencing serious medical issues following the attacks. Her husband, Daniel Jost, was teaching at Staten Island Technical High School on the morning of 9/11, while her son Casey Jost saw smoke from the WTC through his high school classroom window.

Paddy McGee was a member of the NYPD Emergency Service Unit. On 9/11, he was off duty when he left for the WTC after watching news of the attacks on television. McGee worked with others, including past program participant Scott Strauss, to save the lives of Port Authority Police Officer Will Jimeno and Sgt. John McLoughlin. He was later awarded the New York Police Department Medal of Honor. In 2023, his son Patrick McGee became a Port Authority police officer and wears Will Jimeno’s badge number.

For more information, contact the Education Programs staff at: digitallearning@911memorial.org.

The program will be interpreted in American Sign Language and captioned. An audio description and Spanish subtitles will also be available.

The 9/11 Anniversary Digital Learning Experience is made possible in partnership with the New York Life Foundation.

FAQs

A quick look at relevant information about our Anniversary Digital Learning Experience.

The 9/11 Anniversary Digital Learning Experience used to be named “Anniversary in the Schools” – it’s the same program, just a different name. The program consists of two parts: a pre-recorded film that can be screened on-demand to accommodate all schedules and time zones; and a live chat with 9/11 Memorial & Museum Education staff.  

The 30-minute film highlights the stories of six individuals who experienced 9/11 and its aftermath. It also includes an overview of what happened on 9/11.  

Education staff from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum will be available to answer student questions in real-time on September 11, 2023, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (EDT). Students can have a one-on-one conversation with our staff by clicking on a blue icon which will be located on the bottom right corner of the webpage during the hours noted above.  

Students can join the live chat on September 11, 2023, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (ET).  

You will need a computer, tablet, or smartphone, internet connection, and speakers.  We strongly recommend testing the link on several browsers during the preview period. 

The only live portion of the program is the live chat with 9/11 Memorial & Museum Education staff on September 11, 2023, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (ET). The film portion of the program can be streamed on-demand via 911memorial.org/DLE beginning at 12 a.m. (ET) on September 11, 2023.  

Yes!

The link will not be emailed to you, it will be available at 911memorial.org/DLE beginning at 12 a.m. (ET) on September 11, 2023.  

The film can be screened at 911memorial.org/DLE beginning at 12 a.m. (ET) on September 11, 2023. It can be screened on individual devices or as a larger group using one device. 

Yes. The film will be made available for educators during the week of September 4, 2023. We strongly recommend testing your technology during the preview period. The preview is for educators only and not intended for students or other participants.  

The program is recommended for grades 3-12, however, certain stories and segments may be appropriate for younger audiences. We recommend previewing the film during the week of September 4 to determine which, if any, stories are appropriate for your students. The film can be paused and fast forwarded, allowing you the option to only screen specific stories. 

Yes. The film will be available on our website for the entire school year. Past programs are available at 911memorial.org/learn/students-and-teachers/DLE-archives

 

Yes! While the program is designed for K-12 audiences, it is open to everyone. 

 

No – the film will only be available on our website at 911memorial.org/DLE beginning 12 a.m. (ET) on September 11, 2023. We strongly recommend testing the link on several browsers during the preview period.