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A Message From The Director

Dear Friends of Natural History,

As you, your family, and your neighbors grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and its many impacts, I want you to know that our museum community is working to serve and support you remotely.

For the research community, that means digital access to our scientific collections. For teachers and parents, we know your students and children need stability and the opportunity to continue their learning journey.

Our educators, scientists, and exhibit teams are working to roll out new digital offerings in the coming days and weeks, but I'm pleased to share some current highlights in this email. These are websites and tools that I believe will foster curiosity, wonder, and even comfort.

Last week marked the first day of spring. On Instagram, I shared a picture of Washington, D.C.'s iconic cherry blossoms. To me, they are a symbol of hope. As you explore our digital offerings, I encourage you to also look out your window and observe whatever nature you can find. It will help you through this period.

On behalf of the museum, please take care.

Kirk Johnson
Kirk Johnson
Sant Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
 
 
Virtual Tours - museum rotunda
Image credit: James DiLoreto, Smithsonian.

Virtual Tours

Our doors may be closed, but you can experience our museum from home with virtual tours of exhibits past and present.

 
Smithsonian Science How
Left to Right: Ornithologist Sahas Barve, Image credit: Pratik Joshi; Paleontologist Karma Nanglu, Photo credit: Jean-Bernard Caron; Geologist Gabriela Farfan, Image credit: Jennifer Renteria, Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Science How Video Webinars

We're moving our popular webcast series to video webinars to connect learners to natural history science and careers more often. Join these live, interactive, free programs to explore different science concepts through the lens of Smithsonian scientists.

Reading 500-million-year-old Fossils with Paleontologist Karma Nanglu
Friday, March 27, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. EDT

How Birds Stay Warm with Ornithologist Sahas Barve
Thursday, April 2, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. EDT

Exploring Minerals with Geologist Gabriela Farfan
Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. EDT

 
Smithsonian Science How - Maggy Benson and Ben Andrews
Host Maggy Benson and Geologist Ben Andrews. Image Credit: Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Science How Webcast Archives

52 video programs bring Smithsonian experts to you! These shows about topics in Earth Science, Life Science, Paleontology, and Social Studies originally aired live from the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Check out a few of our staff favorites:

How Volcanic Eruptions Send Materials Up and Out
Forgotten Elephants of Deep Time
Forensic Anthropology: Bone Whispering

Access all our past programs on our website.

 
Liz Cottrell
Geologist Elizabeth Cottrell and students. Image credit: Eris Qian

Teaching & Learning Resources

Featuring more than 130 options, our collection of resources includes worksheets and videos.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Featured Collections (new!)
Compare museum objects to find the differences

Video – Smithsonian's Nature of Science: Expedition to Arctic Volcanoes
Dr. Elizabeth Cottrell explores the active volcanoes of Alaska's Western Aleutian Islands

Six Million Years of Human Evolution
The Smithsonian's Human Origins Program provides this overview with links to additional resources

 
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Ask Science How

Do you have a question after exploring some of our resources? Are you curious about how to become a scientist? Submit your question and we'll send you a response from one of our science experts.

 
Online Resources - Smithsonian 3D
Photo Credit: Smithsonian Institution

More Online Resources

Find more on our Human Origins website, the Ocean Portal, and in the Smithsonian Learning Lab. And stay connected with us through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
 
 
 
 
 
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