This week, I had the honor of participating in the 4th annual National Education Summit, a unique three-day gathering hosted by the Smithsonian Institution. The summit included inspiring keynote speeches, in-depth sessions, interactive workshops, and a delightful evening networking reception harmonized by the Foundation for the Advancement of Music & Education (FAME).
This year's summit theme, "Together We Thrive: Connecting at the Intersections," focused on the strength of interdisciplinary approaches in engaging students with complex content effectively. By exploring multifaceted issues from various viewpoints, the summit aimed to exchange successful strategies to enhance learning and boost student involvement.
I was privileged to participate in a private tour and a behind-the-scenes look at how scientists utilize various tools to study biodiversity. The tour included exploring marine collections and scientific laboratories dedicated to biodiversity research, particularly in the emerging field of eDNA, which focuses on genetic material left by organisms in their environment. At the hands of:
●Jennifer Collins, the Learning Experience Manager, Exhibits and Initiatives at the National Museum of Natural History
●Bayley McKeon and Alia Payne, both Ocean Education Specialists from the Smithsonian Institution
●Nicole Webster MAT, the Manager of School and Teacher Programs at the National Museum of Natural History.
Keynote speakers at the event included Richard Culatta, the CEO of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and the International Society for Technology in Education; Missy Testerman, the 2024 Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year; Nikkolas Smith, an Artivist, Bestselling Author, and Illustrator; and Gitanjali Rao, a Young Inventor, Author, Activist, and STEM promoter.
The sessions, guided by a community of over 300 Smithsonian educators, delve into various themes at the crossroads of art, culture, history, and science, such as:
●Bridging Past and Present Through Art
●Promoting Inclusive Storytelling
●Global Thinking, Local Action
●Empowering Youth in Civic Engagement
Additionally, there were special sessions featuring prominent collaborators in education and innovation.
Thank you Smithsonian Education for such a wonderful invitation.
#smithsonianEdu #SmithsonianNES2024