Photo: Travis Riggs

Are you a fan (or parent or teacher of fans) of the 39 Clues series?

Scholastic has announced that on March 5, 2013, author David Baldacci will lead a webcast at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, taking teachers and kids on a virtual field trip where they will learn about the mysteries surrounding some of the artifacts from American history.

Below is a quote from Scholastic’s press release announcing the Decoding History Virtual Field Trip:

During the webcast, with David Baldacci as their guide, children and educators around the world will be taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of some of the most fascinating artifacts in the Smithsonian’s national collections, including the Lewis and Clark compass (an object that is featured in Baldacci’s 39 Clues book), Abraham Lincoln’s pocket watch, and the Star-Spangled Banner. Viewers will also “meet” renowned museum curators and explore some of the most mysterious moments and intriguing questions in American history: Who left a secret message in Abraham Lincoln’s pocket watch? Which is the real Lewis and Clark compass? Why is there a “V” on the original Star-Spangled Banner? The contents of the webcast will help teachers address the “Speaking & Listening” Common Core Standards for English/Language Arts.

The webcast will start at 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT and is free to watch. For more details visit the 39 Clues Decoding History Virtual Field Trip website: http://decodinghistory.scholastic.com/