Smithsonian Education

Thanks to Smithsonian Education for an enriching Summit! Keynote speakers Richard Culatta, Nikkolas Smith and Gitanjali Rao shared nuggets of wisdom that were inspiring and sessions like the Think Digitally! Art, Design & Digital Experiences allowed me to refresh my teacher tool kit. As a virtual attendee, I appreciated the user-friendly participant options. Looking forward to next year's Summit! 💡 #SmithsonianNationalEducationSummit #LifelongLearner

Enjoyed the opportunity to attend Smithsonian Education's National Education Summit last week. We heard from speakers like Nikkolas Smith and Gitanjali Rao who were not only insightful but inspiring! Looking forward to the 2025 Summit!

When your professional worlds collide! Last week I participated in the Smithsonian Education Summit in Washington DC. I listened to so many inspiring individuals, students, researchers, educators and activist who support education and social justice. I was so lucky to meet and listen to former Disney Imagineer and current Artivist (who continues to do work for Disney) Nikkolas Smith. Mr. Smith inspires world change and social justice through his art. His work is found in Disney movies, parks, resorts, merchandise, and more. I encourage you to Google him along with Gitanjali Rao. You will be blown away by Ms. Rao’s work and accomplishments at only 18 years old.

#Educators: Our two-part professional development series focused on our Native Knowledge 360° (NK360°) lesson "The Impact of the Gold Rush on Native Americans of California" kicks off tomorrow! Join us Tues., July 23, and Wed., July 24 from 1-2:30 PM ET each day for these FREE webinars. Learn more and register now: https://s.si.edu/4aZnJbi Day 1 will focus on "California Indian History Before and After the Gold Rush" with featured speaker Dr. Khal Schneider (Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria). Day 2 will be all about "Teaching the Impact of the Gold Rush on Native Americans of California: A Source Investigation" with featured speaker Taylor Pennewell (Berry Creek Rancheria of Tyme Maidu Indians), former educator and current executive director of the Native advocacy nonprofit Redbud Resource Group. Not an educator but curious to learn more? Read a feature in Smithsonian Magazine: https://s.si.edu/4cPamvH #NK360° #ProfessionalDevelopment #Teachers #Education #K12 Smithsonian Education

I had so much fun participating in the Smithsonian Expert-is-In Program last week. I got to speak to so many folks (young and old) all about clams, shellfish fisheries and oyster restoration projects! Thanks again Smithsonian Education

Always an honor to learn from educators who center students and “cultivate changemakers in our communities” (Melisa Collins and Ivona Todorovic) #identitywork #communityimpact #scl4e #pbl #ypar #dialogue #studentvoice #collaboration #NSTOY Smithsonian Institution

Insightful and inspiring sessions at Smithsonian Institution/Smithsonian Education's National Educations Summit. I came away with many ideas from a #STEAM presentation by educators at Smithsonian National Zoo and was incredibly moved by the sessions "Inclusivity in Environmental Education" and "Youth as Agents of Change in their Community." So grateful for online (free) offerings that share ideas and success stories in child and youth education.

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

What a joy to share some space and time with fantastic educators! Thank you to Smithsonian Education for the invite and opportunity!

Incredible day at the Portrait Gallery in our nation’s capital. Great job with virtual and in-person attendance for teachers of all areas, and wonderful hospitality. Particularly enjoyed the emphasis of equality through art, social studies, and stories with interactive experiences.