News

October 31, 2024

Smithsonian Science for the Classroom high-quality curriculum paired with professional learning improves student achievement in science, math and reading.

August 27, 2024

August 6, 2024 

Stakeholder Insights Highlight Challenges and Opportunities for Integrating Sustainability Into US Classrooms

June 11, 2024

The Smithsonian Science Education Center has announced today the endowment of the center’s director position through a gift from Douglas M. Lapp and Anne B. Keiser.

June 5, 2024

As part of the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project, Smithsonian Science Education Center releases Climate Resilience! How can communities adapt to a changing climate? 

April 30, 2024

April 25, 2024

April 22, 2024

The agreement will support translation of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom curricular units, digital assets and images into Ukrainian, with the goal of enriching the learning experiences of children ages 5–11 across Ukraine.

February 22, 2024

Smithsonian Science Education Center Publishes New Ocean Research Guide for Youth

December 8, 2023 

Smithsonian Science Education Center Launches New Freely Available Research Guide for Youth Ages 11-18

Sept 5, 2023

Survey Conducted in Collaboration With Gallup Shows That Sustainability Lessons Are Largely Missing From U.S. Curricula

Young people in the United States, Middle East, and North Africa will engage with international peers through learning without having to leave their hometowns.

December 14, 2021

December 8, 2022

On Wednesday, the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s Director, Dr. Carol O’Donnell, and Division Director of Professional Services, Amy D’Amico, attended the U.S. Department of Education's YOU Belong in STEM National Coordinating Conference in Washington, D.C.

November 29, 2022

This fall, the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) and partner organizations in Egypt worked collaboratively to build young peoples’ knowledge and skills around global and local sustainability issues through the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals community research guide, Sustainable Communities! How will we help our community thrive?

The Smithsonian Science Education Center, in collaboration with the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), has developed Biotechnology! How can we ethically create a sustainable future using biotechnology?, a new community research guide for youth ages 11–18. Based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, it aims to help young people assess the potential of biotechnology while considering the best ways to navigate risks and concerns, ultimately taking action to help solve problems in their local community.  

October 23, 2022

Today, educators are using the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to help students address deep scientific questions and tackle broad societal needs, such as biodiversity, food security, vaccine hesitancy, mosquito-borne diseases, and environmental justice. Public and social sector organizations who promote Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in collaboration with industry partners focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals can work together across different disciplines and sectors to blend their knowledge, theories, and expertise to develop comprehensive solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. By promoting “ESD for ESG,” SSEC Director, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, and SSEC Board member Hina Baloch, argue that by promoting ESD for ESG, you can conceptualize workplaces and societies unimagined. Get the full Diplomatic Courier UNGA77 issue here: https://www.diplomaticourier.com/topics/diplomacy

Dr. Bruce Alberts published an essay titled "Why science education is more important than most scientists think" in the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEB) Letters. In it, he highlights Smithsonian Science for Global Goals (SSfGG) as an example of an "ambitious new project" that is producing community-based science education program based on th UN Sustainable Development Goals with the goal "to mobilize local scientists and other volunteers in each nation to educate and inspire young people to use science to enhance sustainability." Dr. Albert argues that the SSfGG project "design can help us to reshape formal science education to meet today's urgent challenges."

May 24, 2022

March 22, 2022

For the third consecutive year, the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is pleased to have received a generous donation from Ofinno to combat “Summer Slide”—a decline in the skills that students attain during the school year—through the popular Smithsonian Science Summer School (S4) program.

March 20, 2022

The Smithsonian Science Education Center and Learning for Justice—a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center—were featured in a news article by "The Gazette", Cedar Rapid, Iowa's daily newspaper, about a co-hosted two-part webinar on social justice and STEM education.

Heidi Gibson, Science Curriculum Developer, and Logan Schmidt, Senior Science Curriculum Developer were invited by the Learning for Justice program to present two webinars on integrating social justice into the practice of science education. The first webinar highlighted justice-related activities, approaches, and tools that science educators can immediately use with young people. The presenters used the example of Environmental Justice!, the newest community research guide from Smithsonian Science for Global Goals. Over 1,000 educators attended live or viewed the recording.

February 22, 2022

View the January edition of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/becb720dbdfa/january2022

December 30, 2021

The Inter-American Network of Academies of Sciences (IANAS) re-launched its Science Education Program (IANAS-SEP) by publishing a statement to inspire action in STEM Education in the Americas at the regional and local levels through the IANAS Science Education Program (SEP) Focal Points. The goal of the statement, called "Catalyzing STEM Education and Public Engagement through the IANAS Science Education Program," was presented by The National Academy of Sciences of Argentina and is designed to inspire members of IANAS Academies to support and enhance early years, primary, secondary and post-secondary STEM education and public engagement activities in order to develop a scientifically literate and engaged citizenship. It is IANAS' hope that this statement will motivate and support members of IANAS Academies and SEP Focal Points to: engage in STEM education and outreach with schools, communities, and local governments and policy-makers; support organizations that are dedicated to these pursuits; and continue the collaborative approach that resulted in this statement. Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center and a member of the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) Science Education Programme Global Council, was a member of the Panel and Advisors who authored the publication.

December 22, 2021

Within the framework of the World Science Day for Peace and Development, the United Nations (UN) Academic Impact (UNAI) held a global conversation on November 10th, 2021 with scholars, educators, researchers, and students to discuss priorities for the future, obstacles to achieving them, and the role of global academic cooperation and the role of science in addressing global issues. The webinar examined the critical relevance of scientific knowledge and information, its connections with international diplomacy, and the need to foster a more robust global academic and scientific cooperation. Other panelists who joined Dr. O'Donnell hailed from UNESCO, CERN, the International Science Council, NASA, the Max Planck Society, and the University of Bergen (Norway). To watch a recording of the webinar, go to:

December 8, 2021

On November 18th O’Donnell was a plenary speaker at the 2nd Philippine Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute International Conference: “Innovations, Challenges and Transformations in STEM Education: Moving Forward in a Post-Pandemic World”. O’Donnell shared strategies with over 2,300 educators on how we can address the digital divide by teaching STEAM along a high-touch to high-tech spectrum. She shared examples of how to integrate computational thinking and foundational coding into the STEAM classroom, using both high-touch simple materials and high-tech digital tools, so that all students can enhance their STEAM skills. O’Donnell drew examples from the Smithsonian Science for Makerspaces project.

December 8, 2021

December 8, 2021

SSEC Science Curriculum Developer, Mary E. (Beth) Short, authored a white paper on student sensemaking. In the paper, Short notes that students enter classrooms equipped with a rich foundation of skills and knowledge from their everyday experiences. High-quality science education builds on students’ wealth of experience in making sense of the world. In science classrooms, sensemaking is a collaborative practice that includes students sharing initial ideas with peers and identifying inconsistencies or gaps in their shared understandings about the cause of phenomena or solutions to problems (Odden and Russ 2019). While sensemaking, students are continually drawing on their existing knowledge and integrating it with new information. Therefore, the process of sensemaking in science classrooms includes building or revising explanations for phenomena or iteratively working to solve problems and answer questions. Short's white paper was shared with 26,156 district and school leaders by EdWeek. The open rate was 31.32% (average is 25-30%) and the click rate was 2.97% (average is 3%).

December 7, 2021

In this November Smithsonian Magazine article, Ashley Meadows of the Smithsonian's Arts & Industries Building and Hannah Osborn of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, discuss a key component of the upcoming Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building's FUTURES exhibition--education. In this article, they discuss how learners of all ages are invited to explore the question, "Where are we going and how do we want to get there?" and they describe a new portion of the exhibit that focuses on citizen science, including SSEC's "Park Planner" and "FUTURES Field Guide."

November 22, 2021

Participants with GWTeach, a program at the George Washington University that certifies undergraduates to teach K-12 by the time they graduate, distributed thousands of STEM materials, donated by the Smithsonian Science Education Center, to about 14 District of Columbia Public School teachers and University alumni this semester. Faculty and students involved with GWTeach said teachers will use the donated materials to perform more STEM-related activities, like labs and experiments in their classroom. The Smithsonian is committed to reaching all K-12 students in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. To that end, the Smithsonian partners with local governments, universities, school districts, and schools to ensure that all children in the DC region can engage in hands-on experiential learning, whether it is at the Smithsonian’s museums or in students’ classrooms.

November 12, 2021

On November 12th, Smithsonian Science Education Director Dr. Carol O’Donnell presented at the monthly South Carolina Science Education Leadership Association (SCSELA) meeting. O’Donnell’s presentation was titled “How can you begin to prepare your teachers for the new South Carolina College and Career Ready Science Standards (SC-CCRS)?” Using the Smithsonian Science for the Classroom Kindergarten module “How Can We Be Ready for the Weather?” 44 attendees experienced phenomenon and problem-driven learning that promotes student sensemaking; engaging in three-dimensional (3-D) teaching and learning in action with specific disciplinary core ideas (DCIs), science and engineering practices (SEPs), and crosscutting concepts (CCCs); and analyze examples of integrated 3-D formative and summative assessments of the standards. A video of the talk can be found here.

Read more:

November 5, 2021

Over 300 students in Benin, Africa learned how to protect themselves and their communities from COVID-19 using the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s Community Research Guide. The Academy of Young Scientists of Benin and the Research Unit in Applied Microbiology and Pharmacology of Natural Substances of the Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi organized a tour of several high school and colleges in this African country to roll out COVID-19! How can I protect myself and others?, the rapid-response guide for youth ages 8–17 developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP). The roll-out in Benin was supported by an InterAcademy Parternship (IAP) grant in 2021 and allowed more than 300 students to learn practical ways to stop the spread of this virus.

November 1, 2021

In this article for the Advisory Board, Pamela Divack (a volunteer at the Smithsonian Science Education Center) and Andrew Mohama discuss why health care leaders need to be prepared as millions of parents consider vaccinations for their children. Among the myriad of important considerations, they have narrowed in on five essential factors to keep in mind as parents make the decision to vaccinate their children. In the article, they note the importance of education and reference the importance of instructional resources, like the "Vaccines!" guide produced by the SSEC, designed for use in and out of school to encourage young people to understand the science and social science of vaccines (e.g., their history, how they are made, how we know they are safe and effective, and how to address concerns others may have about vaccines).

November 1, 2021

As a hub for research and education, the Smithsonian Institution is poised to help the world find solutions to the global challenge. In this article, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch highlights some of the work that scientists and educators at the Smithsonian are doing to address climate change. He highlights the work of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), which creates hands-on, age-appropriate curricula teaching young people how to be leaders in building sustainable communities. As the Secretary notes, SSEC and other organizations within the Smithsonian empower youth and communities with critical information and the confidence to act so that we can pursue a shared, sustainable future for all.

October 22, 2021

Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center and a member of the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) Science Education Programme Global Council, will serve as an invited panelist at the hybrid Latin America STEM Network Meeting November 9 - 11, 2021 in Bogotá, Colombia. Titled “ Forging Educational Innovation,” this open event will promote commitment across the regions to achieve common challenges related to science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) education. The venue of the event rotates from year to year among the countries of the Latin America STEM Network.

October 22, 2021

Within the framework of the World Science Day for Peace and Development, the United Nations (UN) Academic Impact (UNAI) is holding a global conversation on November 10th, 2021 with scholars, educators, researchers, and students to discuss priorities for the future, obstacles to achieving them, and the role of global academic cooperation and the role of science in addressing global issues. The webinar also aims to examine the critical relevance of scientific knowledge and information, its connections with international diplomacy, and the need to foster a more robust global academic and scientific cooperation.

RSVP/Registration form: https://bit.ly/rsvp10nov

October 24, 2021

October 14, 2021

View the October edition of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/051943418f56/octobernewsletter.

October 13, 2021

XSTEM is collaborating with the Smithsonian Science Education Center to disseminate the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals curricula in schools and educational centers in Argentina and Uruguay.
Their co-founder Mariana Sepiurka is a research mentor for Sustainable Communities!, a freely available community research guide developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) in association with the InterAcademy Partnership. These guides use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to focus on the sustainable actions that students define and implement. XSTEM brings the best STEM education resources to students in Latin America.

October 13, 2021

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) and the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology (SMT) Education Center are partners with Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Polk school districts in North Carolina, elevating science and inquiry instruction. Now in its third year of a five-year grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the partnership provides not only hands-on curriculum materials for 3rd through 5th grade students to explore but professional development and support to teachers.

October 9, 2021

Within the framework of the World Science Day for Peace and Development, the United Nations (UN) Academic Impact (UNAI) is holding a global conversation on November 10th, 2021 with scholars, educators, researchers, and students to discuss priorities for the future, obstacles to achieving them, and the role of global academic cooperation and the role of science in addressing global issues. The webinar also aims to examine the critical relevance of scientific knowledge and information, its connections with international diplomacy, and the need to foster a more robust global academic and scientific cooperation.
RSVP/Registration form: https://bit.ly/rsvp10nov

September 23, 2021

The Gulf Times highlighted a panel of experts who focused on climate change education at the Qatar Foundation (QF) UN General Assembly (UNGA) 2021 Forum on Education. Dr. Carol O'Donnell was one of the invited panelists who contributed to this 90-minute session. The four featured experts during QF’s global panel discussion underlined the need for a change in teaching curriculum to effectively educate the youth of today about climate change. According to Dr Carol O’Donnell, executive director at Smithsonian Science Education Center, “We need to develop curriculum materials or instructional materials to support teachers which will enable them to effectively educate students on this very serious topic of climate change." The Qatar Tribune also covered the story.

See other coverage at https://www.qatar-tribune.com/Data/20210920/PDFPAGES/16.pdf and here: https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/20/09/2021/QF-discussi...

September 20, 2021

At the invitation of SSEC Advisory Board Member, Ana Rold--the founder and publisher of Diplomatic Courier--SSEC Director, Dr. Carol O'Donnell authored an article in the recent publication for the UN General Assembly (UNGA) 2021. The #UNGA76 special edition features essays that bring attention to the slowdown of progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the opportunity for interdisciplinary solution-making. To read the full publication, which includes O'Donnell's article, "A STEM Education Framework for Empowering Youth to Solve the Global Goals," go to: https://lnkd.in/eJMADiW4

September 20, 2021

A change in teaching curriculum is needed to effectively educate the youth of today about climate change, said experts during a global panel discussion hosted by Qatar Foundation on how the potential of today’s youth can be harnessed to drive action on climate change. The panel discussion was the first virtual event organized by Qatar Foundation (QF) as part of its contribution to the 2021 Global Goals Week, and was part of a United Nations General Assembly Forum, titled "How Can We Build More Progressive Education Systems Capable of Empowering Us to Become More Involved in Climate Action?" SSEC Director, Carol O'Donnell, served on the panel.

September 20, 2021

While there are examples of climate change education being implemented in selected countries, the impact of this effort is somewhat limited. There needs to be a more systemic approach within education to see our collective goals toward green innovation and building skills more heavily invested in. As part of the Qatar Foundation United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2021 forum, speakers explored how we can build more progressive education systems capable of empowering us to become more involved in climate action. Speakers included Buthaina Al-Nuaimi, President of Pre-University Education, Qatar Foundation; Carol O'Donnell, Executive Director of the Smithsonian Center for Science Education; Diane Whitehead, CEO, International Children's Education; Jamil Ahmed, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP); Anna Roald, CEO of The Diplomatic Courier Network Moderator: Dominic Rijster, Program Director of the Salzburg Global Seminar. You can view the 90-minute panel discussion here, which was live-streamed and reached 6.4k+ views, received 1020 comments, and 890 likes!:

Panel Part 1:

Panel Part 2:

September 13, 2021

The Smithsonian Science Education Center has developed “Sustainable Communities! How will we help our community thrive?,” a new community research guide for youth ages 8–17. The guide, which is based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, aims to help young people explore the question “How will we help our community thrive?” through topics such as inclusion, urban planning, housing, transportation, resource use, and waste.

Throughout the guide, young people are introduced to a wide variety of perspectives, develop research skills, and learn from real scientists from around the globe. Young people discover the value of their existing knowledge and feelings about their communities. They are guided to understand different aspects of sustainable communities through scientific and social scientific investigations, social-emotional learning opportunities, and civic engagement activities. Finally, youth use what they know and have learned to decide and implement actions to make their communities better.

"As a global community we face many challenges that students have questions about—biodiversity loss, climate change, pandemics," according to Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center. "This community research guide encourages young people to discover, understand, and act on the answers to questions about the role that people, community spaces, housing, infrastructure, transportation, and resources play in helping our communities thrive. It offers young people the opportunity to question, investigate, think critically and systemically, synthesize, and act."

“We are also grateful to the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for their financial support for the development of this module. This work represents the power of collaboration and working closely with others across the globe.”

The Smithsonian Science Education Center will disseminate the information to youth worldwide in collaboration with the InterAcademy Partnership. The guide is free and can be found at: https://ssec.si.edu/sustainable-communities.

September 7, 2021

September 2021 marks the 6th anniversary of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The pandemic has challenged our expectations for the future and has prompted a re-evaluation of the relationships between society, politics and the commercial world. In the 9th World Sustainability Forum, presenters will consider all aspects of these new and evolving relationships and their impact on sustainability. Dr. Carol O'Donnell was invited to co-author a paper presented by Prof Martin Bascopé on September 14th "A Crucial First Step: Early Childhood STEM Education for Sustainable Futures."

September 7th, 2021

Are you a K-12 educator searching for ways to ignite or widen content about race and racism with your students? Our Shared Future: Reckoning with Our Racial Past is dedicated to supporting your critical conversations about the history and legacy of systemic racism. SSEC and NMAAHC jointly developed "Dr. Drew, Density and Diffusion: Giving Life Through Blood Research." This curriculum resource was developed for the WiSTEM2D project, which focuses on advancing girls and women in STEM and ensuring equity and social justice in STEM education. Check out the "Our Shared Future: Educator Tools for Talking About Race" portal as we work together to build a more equitable shared future, and strive to enhance racial inclusion in our education systems.

September 7, 2021

Coinciding with the opening of the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille in early September, the Embassy of the United States of America, the Smithsonian Institution, the Delegation for European and International Relations and Cooperation of the Ministry of National Education and eTwinning are organizing a series of virtual workshops for French and American high school students at the start of the school year on the themes of social inclusion and climate change. A total of 50 classes will discuss throughout the first term on the following subjects, supervised by the team from the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) and experts from France and the United States.

September 7, 2021

The Board of Science Education of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), which jointly founded SSEC in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution in 1985, is hosting a public summit October 14-15, 2021 to take stock of the implementation of state science standards and determine the next steps for continuing or reinvigorating implementation efforts. The summit will serve as a setting to consider implementation across all state and territories, identify successes and challenges, and identify areas where additional resources or work are needed. The meeting will be held in Washington, DC and virtually. SSEC Director Dr. Carol O'Donnell will serve on a panel on Day Two focused on curriculum and instructional materials that were developed based on NASEM's "A Framework for K-12 Science Education," as well as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) derived from the Framework.

September 6, 2021

SSEC Director Carol O'Donnell and Curriculum Developers Heidi Gibson and Logan Schmidt served as speakers at the IUCN World Conservation Congress on September 6, 2021, leading a Campus Session called, "Developing Sustainability Mindsets for Youth through Smithsonian Science for Global Goals." This hybrid summit was held both virtually and in-person in Marseille, France. COVID-19 helped us realize how critical our relationship with nature really is. Our health, economies, and communities depend on it. Thankfully, resilience is in our nature.

September 3, 2021

View the September edition of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/927869d0e0e2/september-newsletter.

September 1, 2021

The Smithsonian will host its first annual Educator’s Day Friday, Sept. 17. The free full-day virtual event will bring together museum educators and pK-12 teachers from across the country to explore opportunities to collaborate, learn from one another, and discuss the future of education. The day will include plenary sessions and more than 30 breakout sessions between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET. This article highlights 6 of the 30 sessions and showcases SSEC's participation.

September 2, 2021

Climate change is with us all the time — and the impact can be devastating, such as during hurricanes. SSEC's Melissa Rogers and University of Delaware students and Professor Dana Veron published an article on their use of a game-like activity called 'The Incredible Carbon Journey' to help teach college and high school students to more clearly understand how our world is being negatively impacted.

August 19, 2021

The Smithsonian Science Education Center Curriculum Developer, Heidi Gibson, has authored a new book called, From Ideas to Action: Transforming Learning to Inspire Action on Critical Global Issues, published online through the Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press (SISP). The volume is open access and available to read and download, at no cost, from SISP's portal on the Figshare platform. From Ideas to Action: Transforming Learning to Inspire Action on Critical Global Issues is available digitally and is available in print as well through SISP. From Ideas to Action articulates the theoretical basis of Smithsonian Science for Global Goals, a series of socio-scientific community research guides that focus on achieving a systemic understanding of global problems and inspiring young people to take informed and sustained action to help address global issues. Heidi Gibson came to SSEC through a Fellowship while pursuing her masters in International Education from the George Washington University. Heidi is now a full time curriculum developer with the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project. Heidi was instrumental in articulating the theory of action—called the Global Goals Action Progression (Global GAP)—which is the foundation of the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals community research guides for youth. The book discusses this theory of action in detail and how SI is developing students’ Sustainability Mindsets.

August 23, 2021

The National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE) honored the Smithsonian Science Education Center's Director, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, with the 2021 Unsung Hero Award. This award honors one person each year who has managed major projects or programs and has made a major impact by ensuring diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in education leading to in-demand careers and programs of study, including STEM. See the full list of 2021 NAPE awardees at https://napequity.org/about-us/nape-awards/.

August 10, 2021

View the August edition of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/cb5d6ee032f0/augnewsletter-909654

July 30, 2021

The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is the nation’s leading organization in lifelong environmental learning, creating opportunities for people to experience and learn about the environment in ways that improve their lives and the health of the planet. Congressionally chartered in 1990 to complement the work of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NEEF is working to make the environment more accessible, relatable, relevant, and connected to people’s daily lives. In a recent NEEF article in which they highlighted SSEC's "Weather Lab" app, NEEF noted that "climate change-fueled weather events impact millions of Americans across the country in many different ways. The number and cost of weather disasters are increasing due to the combination of increased intensity and frequency of events and the exposure of assets such as homes and businesses."

July 29, 2021

Software.org hosted three mentorship workshops to help Girls Who Code students learn important skills including how to build a resume, stand out in the college application process, find mentors, and network. Participating students were high school juniors and seniors considering college majors in computer science. The mentorship workshop featured three women in academia: Dr. Paige E. Smith, Director of the Women in Engineering Program at the University of Maryland; Dr. Carol O’Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center; and April Doss, Executive Director at the Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law & Policy. Panelists shared their backgrounds and insights into pursuing STEM in higher education. Initiatives like Girls Who Code are helping young women find a place in the growing computer science field.

July 27, 2021

Science education experts Laura Tucker, co-author of "Understanding Climate Change," and Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, discuss how to prepare the next generation of decision makers on how to combat climate change. Both agree it involves rethinking how American public schools teach science.

July 23, 2021

July 20, 2021

Washington, DC — July 20, 2021 – For the second consecutive year, the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is pleased to have received a generous donation from Ofinno in support of the popular Smithsonian Science Summer School (S4) program. A research and development lab based in Reston, Virginia, Ofinno believes in empowering the next generation of new technology developers and users through education, and the S4 program aligns perfectly with this belief.

SSEC launched the inaugural S4 program in the summer of 2018, in affiliation with Horizons Greater Washington, a summer enrichment program for economically disadvantaged K–12 students in the Washington, DC Public School System. This robust science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)+Arts education program pairs SSEC’s K–8 primary and middle school curriculum with the breadth and depth of the Smithsonian collections. Although the 2020 program was completely virtual, the 2021 program is slated to deliver a high impact, immersive experience—both online and in-person—to approximately 90 fourth- and fifth-grade students from Title I schools. SSEC recently provided Horizons’ teachers and support staff with professional development training surrounding the fourth- and fifth-grade curricula, respectively: “How Can We Provide Energy to People’s Homes? and “What is Our Evidence We Live on a Changing Earth?”

“Supporting S4 is a perfect blend at the heart of Ofinno—STEM-based work—as well as Ofinno’s mindset for giving back to the community,” said Ofinno Chief Operating Officer Steve Gion. “There are many worthwhile programs, but the S4 program is unique. And you never know—one day an S4 participant could end up working at Ofinno!”

The Smithsonian Science Education Center is delighted to continue its rewarding and productive collaboration with Ofinno.

About the Smithsonian Science Education Center
The mission of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), formerly the National Science Resources Center, is to transform and improve the learning and teaching of science for K–12 students. The SSEC is nationally and internationally recognized for the quality of its programs and its impact on K–12 science education.

About Horizons Greater Washington
Horizons Greater Washington is an award-winning, tuition-free academic and enrichment program serving students from under-resourced communities in Washington, DC and Maryland.

About Ofinno, LLC
Ofinno, LLC, is a research and development lab based in Northern Virginia, that specializes in inventing and patenting future technologies. Ofinno’s research involves video and communication technologies, including 5G and 6G Radio and Core networks, video compression technologies and transport. Ofinno’s inventions have an impressive utilization rate and have been adopted by the standards at the center of advancement of these technologies. Our innovators not only create the technologies, they oversee the entire process from design to the time the technology is sold. For more information about Ofinno, please visit www.ofinno.com.

If you want to learn more about the Smithsonian Science Summer School (S4) program, go to: https://ssec.si.edu/smithsonian-science-summer-school.

July 19, 2021

The Federalist, a newsletter that prints information about federal history projects and issues affecting federal history programs, highlighted the effort of the Smithsonian Science Education Center to educate youth on the underlying science of COVID-19. SSEC's module, "COVID-19! How Can I Protect Myself and Others?" encourages youth to use protective behaviors to reduce the spread of the disease. The article, "Documenting the Smithsonian’s Pandemic Response" was first posted at the Smithsonian Institution Archives blog "The Bigger Picture" at: https://siarchives.si.edu/blog by Jennifer Wright on March 16, 2021.

July 19, 2021

The Notable Children’s Digital Media list recognizes real-time, dynamic, and interactive media content for children 14 years of age and younger that enables and encourages active engagement and social interaction while informing, educating, and entertaining in exemplary ways. Recently released, their July 2021 list represents titles selected by the committee for the first half of 2021. Yet again, the Smithsonian Fun Stuff for Kids and Teens, designed for Elementary, Middle School, Parent/Teacher/Caregivers, made the list. Smithsonian's Fun Stuff for Kids and Teens is a curated collection of interactive activities, games, and exhibits. Discover and explore art, history, culture, nature and science with many of the Smithsonian's museums: meet the Zoo's animals, create with the Learning Lab, bring a treasured object "home" through the wonders of augmented reality, and play and learn through games from the Smithsonian Science Education Center.

July 9, 2021

Josh Archote--Executive Producer of Climate 360 at Louisiana State University (LSU) and editor of Reveille, LSU's student-run newspaper--interviewed the Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, to better understand the current state of climate change education. Archote found that roughly 75% of public school science teachers in the U.S. teach climate change and almost all public school students likely receive at least some education about recent global warming, according to a 2016 paper from the National Center for Science Education. In this article, Archote reports that climate change is widely taught in American public schools—but students are receiving mixed messages.

July 16, 2021

In their Medium.com article on Metacognition, Dr. Lanette Trowery and Margaret Bowman draw on the Smithsonian's "Good Thinking" series as they share several metacognitive strategies for teaching and learning practices that encourage students to engage in metacognition, or think about their thinking as they learn new things, explore concepts, and apply knowledge.

June 29, 2021

In this Metro Style article, authors discuss gamification of hand washing to engage students in protective behaviors of COVID-19. Gamification means taking the fun elements from games (think scoring points, handing out quests, role-playing characters, and so on) and using them to make ordinary tasks more exciting. The article highlights the work of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, which says that gamification raises engagement, helps in cognitive development, and can even help in physical development in some cases.

June 29, 2021

The Smithsonian Science Education Center, Siemens Stifting, and the “Haus der kleinen Forscher” Foundation joined the International Dialogue on STEM Education (IDoS) for their first virtual meeting as new peer members. Nine representatives from each of the organizations shared insights on their educational work around the globe, finalized topics of discussions according to their expertise for the next peer meeting. The three organizations developed a strategy of how to work together in the future while "following their common goal to promote high quality early STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering/Computer Science, and Mathematics) for Sustainable Development."

Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Katherine Blanchard and Alexa Mogck represented the Smithsonian Science Education Center during the virtual meeting.

June 11, 2021

U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) introduced a bipartisan bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the contributions of all of those whose efforts led to the successful development of lifesaving vaccines to combat COVID-19. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor that Congress can bestow. After the award of the gold medal, the medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution where it shall be available on display and made available for the purpose of education, research, and encouragement of STEM professions through the Smithsonian Science Education Center. The Bill can be found at: https://www.coons.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/text_vaccine_gold...

June 21, 2021

In this article, Edutech of 9 News in Nigeria highlights the incredible accomplishments of Dr Adetola Salau, a potent force for Education in Africa. Dr Adetola Salau is a member of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's Network for Emergent Socio-Scientific Thinking (NESST), which helps to promote STEM education for Sustainable Development. You can also read about Dr. Adetola Salau's recent award as "Sphere Woman of the Month" at: https://www.womenspheremag.net/sphere-woman-of-the-month-ade.... Ms Adetola Salau is a social innovative entrepreneur, global educator, author and transformation agent. Dr. Adetola Salau is currently the Senior Special Assistant on Education to the Governor in Lagos State. She is also an Engineer and the author of more than ten books, one of which is a roadmap for transforming mindsets of African children; “Re-engineering minds for innovation.”

View the June edition of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/si/junenewsletter-909586.

May 11, 2021

The Weather Channel interviewed Dr. Carol O'Donnell about SSEC's Weather Lab app. Weather Lab allows players to take on the role of a meteorologist to understand how North America’s weather is formed. This lab is designed to model the complex interactions between air masses and ocean currents, but like all models it represents probable outcomes.

May 7, 2021

On May 7, 2021, students at Burton Street Elementary School shared their science learning with the world! Quite literally, over 100 people from around the world–13 states and 10 countries–tuned into a virtual live research lesson featuring the students in Mrs. Beth Ann Kempf’s first grade classroom. The observers included local school teachers, Dr. Sarah Glassman at the Smithsonian Science Education Center, who wrote the curriculum materials and served as an expert observer, and other members of the American Educational Research Association.

May 5, 2021

PPL Electric, a Pennsylvania-based utility company, partnered with the Smithsonian Science Education Center, the Da Vinci Science Center, and the Allentown School District to launch a STEM literacy series for 4th and 5th grade students.

5th grade students will study Smithsonian Science for the Classroom curriculum, How Can We Get Fresh Water to Those in Need?, and 4th grade students will read “How Can We Provide Energy in People’s Homes?". PPL's funding provided a copy of the SSEC book to all 3,500 fourth- and fifth-grade students within the Allentown School District.

May 1, 2021

View the May edition of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's newsletter here: http://mailchi.mp/8fec876db88f/maynewsletter-909570

April 30, 2021

April 1, 2021

View the April edition of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's newsletter here: http://mailchi.mp/60399865451e/aprilnewsletter-2021

March 25, 2021

The Inquirer featured the Smithsonian Science Education Center in an article about YouTube resources for younger children.

The article praised SSEC’s Good Thinking video series for its investigation of science through 8-10 minute videos and for Teacher Tip, which provides a science lesson in under two minutes.

March 24, 2021

Patch, a Hartford, Connecticut news publication, quoted the Smithsonian Science Education Center in an article about the 17th Annual Women in Innovation award.

The award recognizes the “impact of women innovators, role models, and leaders in science and technology professions throughout Connecticut, and also recognizes outstanding young women at the high school and collegiate level pursuing technology studies,” according to the article.

The Smithsonian Science Education Center was quoted in the article for stating “the scarcity of women in STEM fields is a long-standing and persistent problem."

March 22, 2021

Members of the Clarkstown Central School District participated in the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s annual STEM Education Summit February 20-27, 2021. This year’s theme “Building a Coalition for Attracting and Retaining a Diverse STEM Teaching Workforce” focused on confronting the underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teaching and leadership.

“As educators it is our responsibility to provide windows, mirrors, and sliding doors in our classrooms. The windows and sliding glass doors are found in our curriculum as we provide students with access to materials from other viewpoints and perspectives. When students see themselves in the text and in the curriculum, windows and sliding doors become mirrors that reflect back to us our own lives and give dimension to the human experience,” said Clarkstown High School North Assistant Principal Kiesha Tillman in a press release. “Similar to this practice in the classroom, diversifying our teaching workforce provides mirrors for our students of color and windows and sliding doors to other perspectives that will benefit our student body as a whole.”

March 17, 2021

Dr. Carol O'Donnell presented at the 2021 STEM MENA: Delivering Effective STEM Education in a Changing World" virtual conference. The STEM MENA Conference is an online event designed to provide a space that brings together educators, who are keen to engage and learn how to effectively deliver a STEM curriculum, which adapts to the prevailing learning environment, be it; online, in the classroom or via a hybrid model. Dr. O'Donnell's talk, "Teaching Inquiry-based STEM Education in a Post-Pandemic World: Using STEM for Social Good" can be viewed here.

March 12, 2021

Expert Connect is a diverse network of national STEM leaders engaged in supporting a vibrant and diverse generation of young STEM professionals. The National Medal Science & Technology Foundation (NMSTF) recognizes the value of inspirational stories within the STEM community. For many years, their primary goal was to share the stories of the top minds in science and technology with the public. Today, they have expanded their mission to not only highlight great scientists and technologists but also actively engage these individuals to help build inclusive STEM communities across the United States. On March 12, 2021 Dr. O'Donnell was interviewed by NMSTF; her interview will be posted on the Expert Connect portal to foster the relationship between individuals who have received national recognition for excellence in STEM and future members of the STEM community.

March 3, 2021

Caldwell County School District will implement Smithsonian Science for the Classroom for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students this spring. Hudson, Sawmills, Baton and Collettsville Elementary Schools will be the first schools to introduce the curriculum to its students, and other elementary schools in the county will transition to Smithsonian Science for the Classroom within three years. This grant funded program will bring the curriculum to more than 11,250 students in North and South Carolina.

March 1, 2021

View the March edition of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's newsletter here: http://mailchi.mp/88bee579da65/march-909530.

February 23, 2021

Engine--a non-profit technology policy, research, and advocacy organization--recently released a report to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) commenting on the "National Strategy for Expanding American Innovation," which focuses on expanding the country’s innovation ecosystems to be more diverse and inclusive. In the report, Engine noted, "While improving access to capital and expanding networks for underrepresented entrepreneurs may yield more near term results, federal entities should also improve education opportunities for underrepresented innovators so that they are equitable and inclusive, affecting long-lasting change. This includes improving access to STEM education." Engine drew on a presentation given by SSEC Director, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, and Dr. Shelina Ramnarine of Johnson & Johnson, given at the 2020 STEM Leadership Alliance, by stating, "In order to achieve that goal, diversity of STEM educators is also critical but often overlooked" (pg. 22). To access the presentation, go to: https://ssec.si.edu/sites/default/files/other/STEMLeadershipAlliance2020.pdf

February 22, 2021

The Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS) recently announced its endorsement of the "2021 Increasing Teachers of Color Act." According to the "Coalition to Increase Teachers of Color and American Indian Teachers in Minnesota," this package of bills was designed to create comprehensive systemic change needed to address opportunity and achievement gaps for students while strengthening existing programs and creating new efforts needed to attract, prepare, license and retain an increased percentage of teachers of color and American Indian teachers in Minnesota. In their letter to the Members of House and Senate Education and Higher Education Committees, the MAS (one of Minnesota’s oldest nonprofits committed to advancing STEM and STEM education) referenced the Smithsonian Science Education Center "Fostering Change" playbook indicates, “Diverse teachers serve as role models for students who wish to pursue careers in the STEM fields.”

February 10, 2021

Arab News listed the Smithsonian Science Education Center in a recent article as a resource for teachers and parents to support children’s learning.

February 10, 2021

The Berkeley Heights Public School District is proud to announce they have been selected to participate in a collaboration with the Smithsonian Science Education Center for a Diversity in STEM initiative. The conference, ‘STEM Education: Building a Coalition for Attracting and Retaining a Diverse STEM Teaching Workforce’, is an initiative that will ‘engage leadership teams from districts throughout the United States who have identified problems related to attracting and retaining a diverse STEM teaching workforce. Berkeley Heights Public Schools is 1 of 17 school, school district, and State Education Agency teams across the nation that has been selected through a competitive application process to participate in this year’s program. To learn more about the program go to: https://ssec.si.edu/STEM-diversity

February 5, 2021

Hyunju Lee, a Research Scientist, at the Professional Services division of the SSEC published as a co-author of an article, “Next Generation Science Classrooms: The Development of a Questionnaire for Examining Student Experiences in Science Classrooms in School Science and Mathematics” at the journal, School Science and Mathematics on Jan. 25, 2021. While it has been increased emphasis on teacher’s practice turn on three-dimensional instruction of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), there have been a lack of protocols to examine students’ experiences at the next generation science classrooms where students are engaged and learn science as the way how scientists do for their science. In that, the authors developed student questionnaire that can investigate teacher’s practice turn from the students’ reported experiences in class. The instrument is constructed based on the four major strands (NRC, 2007; 2012): Reflecting on scientific knowledge; Generating and evaluating scientific evidence and explanations; Understanding the nature and development of scientific knowledge; and Participating productively in scientific practices and discourse. The instrument development procedure is followed the Rae and Parker’s (1997) stages: construct identification, formation of a question pool, reviews by experts for content validity, pilot testing with students (306 Grade 7th and 8th students in this study); and statistical analysis (exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis) for refinement and finalization of the items. Internal consistency reliability is measured and total 35 items are finalized.

February 2, 2021

With support from Johnson & Johnson through the WiSTEM2D initiative, Girl Scouts USA (GSUSA) are now disseminating SSEC activities on their “Girl Scouts at Home” platform.

The new “STEM Activities from the Smithsonian Science Education” initiative is a curation of 14 WiSTEM2D activities created by the Smithsonian for the WiSTEM2D project and are aligned to the GSUSA “Girl Scouts at Home” resources. These 14 hands-on activities are designed “For Every Girl (Grades K-12)” and will help us reach even more young girls thanks to the WiSTEM2D initiative.

February 2, 2021

The Smithsonian Science Education Center was featured in a new Medium article about new careers in the technology industry.

February 2, 2021

The Smithsonian launched its new website for the Smithsonian “Race, Community and Our Shared Future” initiative (https://race.si.edu), which will explore how Americans currently understand, experience and confront race, its impact on communities and how that impact is shaping the nation’s future. This initiative will encompass resources from across the Smithsonian’s museum, education and research complex--including from the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC)--to examine the historical context of the challenges facing the nation today. The initiative will frame conversations around the country to seek solutions to building a more inclusive, sustainable future.

The SSEC is proud to be one of the contributors to this important work by supporting the "Race, Policy, and Ethics" pillar. Anti-racist policy enacts purposeful and ethical actions toward racial equity and justice for all. Through a public-private partnership, the SSEC convenes groups of education organizations from around the nation each year to share and discuss proven strategies that have improved the recruitment, retention and engagement of STEM educators from diverse backgrounds. The STEM Education Summit is one component of a larger initiative to increase the diversity of the STEM teaching workforce and improve leadership opportunities for diverse STEM teachers.

February 1, 2021

View the February edition of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/740c2c8386de/feb-909510.

January 29, 2021

The Smithsonian Science Education Center's distance learning resources were recently featured in an article by the The Daily News. These STEM resources support the distance learning needs of K-8 students and were designed for students, parents, and caregivers.

January 28, 2021

January 25, 2021

Allentown School District (ASD) is excited to expand its STEM partnership between the district and the Da Vinci Science Center (DSC) to include PPL Electric Utilities (PPL) and the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC). The unique collaboration will provide all 2,574 ASD fourth and fifth grade students and their teachers with hands-on science education materials to complement their virtual classrooms.

Thanks to a generous gift from PPL, fourth grade students will each receive the book,“Everyday Energy” which features short stories that incorporates reading into the lessons of “How Can We Provide Energy to People’s Homes,” while fifth grade students will read “Water Works” which features short stories that incorporates reading into the lessons of “How Can We Get Fresh Water to Those in Need.”

January 21, 2021

The Smithsonian Science Education Center's Leadership and Assistance for Science Education + Reform (LASER) model was highlighted in the Education Commission of the States Policy Brief, "Leadership Training: A Cornerstone of P-3 STEM Education" authored by Jennifer Zinth and Matt Weyer. The brief explores that state-level preschool through third grade (P-3) Leadership Training is critical to ensuring STEM equity in the early years by equipping instructional leaders to support learners’ engagement in ongoing, high-quality, developmentally appropriate STEM experiences. They state that it also supports administrators and teachers on issues integral to STEM leadership, such as developing school vision, effective resource allocation and supporting professional learning. The brief highlights best practices, such as applying problem-based approaches, exposing leaders to STEM integration models in diverse settings, encouraging leaders to customize STEM approaches to local contexts, and draws on SSEC's LASER model as one example.

January 21, 2021

On January 21, 2021, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, presented at the 2nd Integrated STEM Leadership Alliance in Asia. The theme of the virtual event was, “Reimagining Integrated STEM Education: Amplifying Agility and Transformational Collaboration for a Post-Pandemic Asia”. To get a copy of Dr. O'Donnell's presentation, "Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals to Teach Inquiry-based STEM Education in a Post-Pandemic World," contact ScienceEducation@si.edu.

January 11, 2021

The Frontier Post featured two SSEC resources in a "Lockdown Activities for the Kids" guide, including "Glider Guide" and "Expedition: Insects". The article compiles more than 75 activities for children to enjoy as they socially distance.

January 1, 2021

View the January edition of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/03e07093be98/january-909486.

December 17, 2020

The 2020 Progress Report for the Committee on STEM (CoSTEM) Education references the Smithsonian Science Education Center's work to diversify the K-12 STEM Teaching Workforce. Page 9 of the report states, "Through a public-private partnership, the Smithsonian is helping school districts develop strategic plans to attract and retain STEM teachers from underrepresented groups, with the goal of reaching 30,000 new and existing STEM teachers by 2030."

December 15, 2020

"Pick Your Plate! A Global Guide to Nutrition" was featured in a blog post from the Wilson Center Science and Technology Innovation Program highlighting serious games victories from 2020. The post that notes that while the game was released in 2019, the Spanish-language localization and major updates were released in 2020.

"Pick Your Plate! A Global Guide to Nutrition" is an educational nutrition game that will help teach students about building healthy meals while using nutritional guidelines from countries around the world. Pick Your Plate! is now available in both English and Spanish.

December 12, 2020

The Smithsonian Science Education Center, with support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative, and Johnson & Johnson has released Stories of Women in STEM at the Smithsonian. This ebook highlights the largely untold stories of women’s contributions to science and innovation. From aerospace engineer and mathematician Mary Golda Ross to Smithsonian ornithologist Dr. Carla Dove, readers will learn how women have defied gender stereotypes and overcome structural barriers to advance the STEM industry in the past, and how their current work creates a more inclusive future.

December 1, 2020

View the December edition of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/a15574155cda/givingtuesday1-909458.

December 1, 2020

The Technology and Natural Sciences in Schools (TuWaS! in German) project has collaborated with the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC's) to translate SSEC's "COVID-19! How can I protect myself and others?" module for youth into German and disseminate it throughout the nation. TuWaS! was established in the Rhineland by the Bonn/Rhein-Sieg and Cologne chambers of industry and commerce in Germany. Together with committed companies and sponsors from the region they support hands-on teaching and learning of science in more than 142 schools, serving more than 24,000 local school children. TuWaS! is an initiative of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities and the Free University of Berlin, which is responsible for the content-related and pedagogical concepts of TuWaS! and scientifically monitors the project in Cologne/Bonn. The "COVID-19!" module for youth was developed by the SSEC in collaboration with the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and is available for free in 25 languages.

November 20, 2020

Canvas, a tool used to generate educational videos led by an intelligent virtual agent, is used to create the SSEC’s Ada Asks video series. Canvas was developed by the University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies and discussed in an Association for Computing Machinery article.

November 20, 2020

The InterAcademy Partnership featured the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project in its annual overview of the work of IAP.

The Food! How Do We Ensure Good Nutrition For All? module was developed in partnership with the IAP as part of the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project. These Smithsonian Science for Global Goals community research guides use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to focus on sustainable actions that are defined and implemented by students.

November 18, 2020

Common Sense Media recently gave "Pick Your Plate! A Global Guide to Nutrition" a four-star rating.

"Pick Your Plate! A Global Guide to Nutrition" is an educational nutrition game that will help teach students about building healthy meals while using nutritional guidelines from countries around the world. Pick Your Plate! is now available in both English and Spanish.

Read more: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/pick-your-plate...

November 9, 2020

Filament Games has featured SSEC in a "Resource Roundup: Free Learning Game Resources for Educators" article. SSEC's STEM-based games and simulations are available online or for download at no cost to teachers and students.

November 6, 2020

SSEC Science Curriculum Developer Dr. Sarah Glassman and Digital Producer Ryan Seymour co-authored in a new article for Science and Children, a journal by the National Science Teaching Association. The article, “Virtual Sungazing”, explains how first graders use 360-degree photographs to view the Sun's apparent daily pattern of motion across the sky. Activities from the Smithsonian Science for the ClassroomTM module, How Can We Predict When the Sky is Dark? and Smithsonian Science Education Center’s free simulation, Sunlight on the National Mall, were both featured in the article.

November 1, 2020

View the November edition of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/453ad4eff90c/november-909450

October 29, 2020

The Smithsonian Science Education Center has released “Pick Your Plate! Guía Global de Nutrición.” This Spanish-language educational nutrition game will help teach students about building healthy meals while using nutritional guidelines from around the world. “Pick Your Plate!” is also available in English.

In the game, students will explore foods, music and currency from Argentina, Australia, Benin, Cambodia, Finland, Lebanon, Mexico and the U.S.

“Pick Your Plate!” is designed to be used at home or in the classroom and is aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The game is available as a website for desktop and laptop computers and can be downloaded for tablets and smartphones through the Amazon Apps & Games Store, Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Visit ScienceEducation.si.edu/pick-your-plate-espanol to learn more.
“Pick Your Plate! Guía Global de Nutrición” is made possible with support from Johnson & Johnson.

October 28, 2020

SSEC Director Dr. Carol O'Donnell was invited to serve as a Expert Connect Member of the National Science and Technology Medals Foundation (NSTMF). whose mission is to build inclusive STEM communities across the United States. Fundamental to these communities are the significant, inspirational connections fostered between individuals who have received national recognition for excellence in STEM and today’s diverse generation of college and high school students. The vision of NSTMF is to be a driving force in creating a world in which the diversity of the American society is reflected in the recipients of all prestigious STEM honors, including future Laureate classes of the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

October 20, 2020

In this American Women's History Initiative (AWHI) panel, Dr. Shirley Malcom, Senior Advisor and Director of SEA Change at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, talks with three educators from the Smithsonian--Under Secretary for Education, Ruki Neuhold-Ravikumar, Katrina Lashley, Program Coordinator at the Anacostia Community Museum, and Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center--about Dr. Malcom’s seminal 1976 report, The Double Bind: The Price of Being a Minority Woman in Science, 44 years after its publication. In the report, Dr. Malcom and her co-authors argued that the struggles to be scientists were greater for women of color than for white women or for men of color. The persistently low numbers of women of color in STEM in 2020 support this claim, and the limited number of teachers of color in STEM education (less than 1 teacher of color for every 50 students of color) perpetuate this disparity. Yet, despite progress in graduating more women of color in STEM fields, women of color continue to be underrepresented at the advanced levels in most STEM fields and do not persist in these positions for a variety of factors (Pew Research, 2018). This panel addresses question such as: What barriers existed for women of color in science when Dr. Malcom first authored her report 44 years ago? What barriers still exist today? What progress have we made? What tools and methods can educators and science writers like AAAS use to reach new audiences and inspire the next generation of women in STEM?

October 17, 2020

Amanda Abrom, Global Goals Ambassador of the United Nations Association of the USA highlighted the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project of the SSEC as one of 5 examples of "Glocalizing"--teaching global problems through local examples. Abrom's states that, "Glocalizing is a new concept in K-12 education that is used to connect global and local contexts." It is based on global citizenship education and education for sustainable development and emphasizes that students learn about how they can practically apply sustainable development concepts that affect their local communities. Abrom's concludes, "In this way, students are more likely to take meaningful actions because they have an easier time grasping concepts that are locally and culturally relevant." To learn more about the SSEC's project, go to: https://ssec.si.edu/global-goals

October 14, 2020

Today's learners will enter a world defined by data. By the end of 2020, there will be ten times as many bits of data in the digital universe as there are stars in the physical universe. Already today, data plays a pivotal role in our homes, our workplaces, and our communities. To help ensure our youth are ready for a data-filled future, SSEC has joined our STEM education colleagues of "The Messy Data Coalition" as a charter signatory--a broad-based group of teachers, parents, professional organizations, researchers, curriculum and software developers, and industry members committed to actively and equitably bringing data fluency to K-12 classrooms and learning experiences nationwide. We aim to bring data education to one million classrooms and learning opportunities and 100 million learners in the next decade. As we do, we lay the groundwork for a future filled by communities of data-informed decision-makers and workplaces of data-fluent problem solvers.

October 12, 2020

FDA's "COVID-19 Resources for Patients" page provides resources to help address questions patients may have about FDA-regulated medical products (drugs, biologics, devices) and COVID-19. As part of their "Additional COVID-19 Information for Patients" they highlighted "COVID-19! How Can I Protect Myself and Others?", a guide for youth ages 8-17 and their parents/caregivers developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center in collaboration with the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) and World Health Organization (WHO). The guide is available in 24 languages and helps students to better understand the current pandemic.

October 1, 2020

SSEC’s curriculum product specialist, Hannah Osborn, has been featured in a Smithsonian Magazine article about an AI-powered robot, Curly the Curling Robot, who is beating athletes at their own sport.

October 1, 2020

View the October edition of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/07068f64d5d8/october-909414.

September 30, 2020

In today’s increasingly digital world, 3.6 billion people still have no access to the Internet. Those without access are typically the most vulnerable: minorities, people with disabilities, indigenous and marginalized groups, as well as women, children and youth from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds or living in areas affected by conflict and violence. Lack of Internet access reduces paths to a world of information available online, and limits the potential to learn and grow, all of which contribute to the digital divide. Director of the SSEC, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, served as an External Expert on a newly released report from the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development Working Group on School Connectivity. The report, "The Digital Transformation of Education: Connecting Schools, Empowering Learners" was released September 2020. The purpose of the report is to better understand the school connectivity landscape and requirements, evaluate the benefits of different technologies for different environments, analyze business and financial models, and identify suitable pedagogical content needed for digital environments to ensure inclusive learning.

September 28, 2020

The Smithsonian Science Education Center partnered with 100Kin10 to help science education leaders understand the “COVID-19! How Can I Protect Myself and Others?” module during its Sept. 24 “Ask Me Anything” webinar. For this session, leaders discussed the best ways to encourage students understand the science behind COVID and other viruses like it.

September 25, 2020

Smithsonian Science Education Center Director Carol O’Donnell has been featured in an article by Salzburg Global Seminar for her transformative work with K-12 science education.

September 24, 2020

The COVID-19! How Can I Protect Myself and Others? guide for youth is having an impact with students and teachers in Mexico. The guide, which is based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, aims to help young people understand the science and social science of COVID-19 as well as help them take actions to keep themselves, their families and communities safe.

September 22, 2020

"The Global Classroom" held its 4th global event on September 22, 2020, with the theme "One Global Body." This event connected children and spokespeople from around the globe to give a better understanding of how to live a healthy lifestyle. This live broadcast event, which reached and connected over 14,000 children across 198 countries, featured Logan Schmidt, SSEC Science Curriculum Developer, who discussed "Task 3.1 Food Diaries" from SSEC's guide called "Food! How Can We Ensure Good Nutrition for All?" The event also hosted SSEC's colleague Dr Panagis Galiatsatos, a physician and Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, who has significant experience in the field of health and wellness. Having published in excess of 40 research articles on health equity and health outcomes, Dr Panagis Galiatsatos shared his inspirational thoughts with students live.

September 22, 2020

Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Lonnie Bunch, III highlighted the SSEC’s “COVID-19! How I Can Protect Myself and Others” module in an article from The Torch.

September 18, 2020

SSEC’s graphic artist, Sofia Elian, is featured in a new Smithsonian American Art Museum Exhibit. The “Alexander von Humboldt and the United States: Art, Nature, and Culture” exhibition places American art squarely in the center of a conversation about Humboldt’s lasting influence on the way we think about our relationship to the natural world.

September 15, 2020

The Smithsonian Science Education Center was listed as a “favorite online resource” in a blog post by the biotechnology education company, Edvotek, in celebration of National Online Learning Day.

September 16, 2020

Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, shares how she found her passion for teaching, paving her own path to being at home with her kids and working, and the amazing initiatives being led by the Smithsonian Science Education Center to bring science education to communities across the globe.

September 8, 2020

The Smithsonian featured SSEC’s “COVID-19! How can I help myself and others?” module as a part of its Confronting a Pandemic: Research and Education Update. This institution-wide effort showcases the work of Smithsonian experts as they research the impact of COVID-19 on our communities. Our module helps students aged 8–17 understand the origins of this particular virus and how to utilize public health information to keep themselves and their communities safe.

September 1, 2020

Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Folasade Adefisayo, released a statement to BusinessDay. In it, Adefisayo explained that her team participated in the SSEC's annual intensive week-long institute, the Smithsonian K-12 Science Education Action Planning Institute. The annual event, according to Adefisayo, is a forum where teams of educators, administrators and stakeholders from across the world converge to gain an in-depth understanding of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) model and apply it to strategic planning for their varied communities. According to Adefisayo, "Working on driving the infusion of the STEM teaching and learning methodology in the basic educational curriculum of Lagos State to encourage students to become innovators and problem-solvers instead of becoming sole consumers of knowledge remains crucial if we must prepare the students for the future”. The team was assembled and led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on STEM Education, Adetola Salau.

August 20, 2020

Leading school science supplier Carolina Biological launched digital remote teaching resources for the Smithsonian K-8 curriculum: Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™@HOME, and Smithsonian Science and Technology Concepts™ Middle School@HOME. Carolina updated its award-winning K-8 Smithsonian Science programs to support essential remote instruction in elementary and middle schools this fall, which are available now and designed to provide high-quality, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) science instruction. Carolina enhanced Smithsonian curriculum with simplified digital teacher-planning features for robust remote science instruction, as well as a variety of live and online on-demand professional development called Get Ready! Professional Learning. Whether educators are teaching students from their classrooms or at home, they can maintain a high-quality science program, engage students online in three-dimensional learning, and continue to support English language arts and math.

August 18, 2020

“Tami’s Tower: Let’s Think About Engineering” was featured in a Columbus Parent media review for recommended resources for kids. The author is a librarian from the Columbus Metropolitan Library and recommends the app as a way to learn perseverance and basic engineering skills. “Tami’s Tower” is a recipient of the Notable Children’s Digital Media award from the Association for Library Service to Children. The Columbus Parent is a an award-winning publication of Gannett for families in Central Ohio. Read the article: https://www.columbusparent.com/entertainment/20200818/media-reviews-inspirational-books-for-kids.

August 15, 2020

At the recently held ‘Virtual Consultation on Science for Resilience, Food, Nutrition and Livelihoods: Contemporary Challenges’, organized by the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, a particularly relevant talk on science education was delivered by Dr. Bruce Alberts of the University of California at San Francisco, U.S. The theme was science communication and Dr. Alberts discussed how every child is a scientist, keenly observant. In his talk, he referenced the Smithsonian Science Education Center's project "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals" as an exemplar program that is transforming science into societal value by helping youth ages 8-17 discover, understand, and act upon the world's most pressing socio-scientific issues. Topics in this program include mosquito-borne diseases, food security, biodiversity loss, sustainable communities, and the protective behaviors needed to reduce the spread of diseases like COVID-19. To learn more, go to: https://ssec.si.edu/global-goals.

August 10, 2020

Aarhus University, author of the Corona Minister, a simulation tool they created to teach people about the difficult dilemmas policymakers face during a pandemic, wrote a blog about SSEC's new module "COVID-19! How Can I Protect Myself and Others?" which is currently available in 24 languages. The module provides links to the Corona Minister and additional resources containing tools and information. Test the simulation and become the Corona Minister yourself!

July 29, 2020

Common Sense Education recently highlighted “Tami’s Tower: Let’s Think About Engineering” in its roundup of free resources for students adjusting to virtual learning. Featured under the “Distance Learning Short List for Best Free Resources by Grade and Subject,” app users are able to refine their engineering design skills by helping Tami, a hungry golden lion tamarin, build structures to reach fruit and outsmart the other animals.

To see where Tami’s Tower falls on the list and view other featured apps, click here: Distance Learning Short List: Best Free Resources by Grade and Subject.

July 20, 2020

Mashable spoke with Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, and two other experts to learn how parents and caregivers can teach young children sustainable habits.

July 14, 2020

The Ohio Department of Education recognized the Smithsonian Science Education Center, in collaboration with the InterAcademy Partnership and the World Health Organization, who have created a free guide for youth called, “COVID-19! How can I protect myself and others?” The purpose of this 7-lesson module is to help youth engage in hands-on activities that they can do at home with simple materials to help them understand the underlying science (and social science) of COVID-19.

July 9, 2020

Having already focused on the Global Body and the Global Heart in the first two inspirational classes, The Global Classroom switched its attention to the Global Mind. One Global Mind addressed the pandemic of mental illness that has swept the globe during the Covid-19 pandemic. SSEC's Carol O'Donnell and Katherine Blanchard, along with an array of famous speakers, gave students tuning into the virtual Global Classroom new and exciting opportunities to discuss what’s on their mind during school closures. Led by Scarisbrick Hall School, One Global Mind illustrates how reconnecting with nature and taking time out to enjoy the environment can be a soothing influence on children’s mental health and well being. Students took part in these virtual discussions with prominent world figures, each with their own personal insights into how to achieve better mental health.

July 7, 2020

The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta and the Smithsonian Institution (SI) in the United States, in partnership with the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud), have launched “Earth Optimism TV,” an educational TV series for Indonesian students, who like billions around the world, are continuing their educational studies at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. With this partnership, the U.S. Embassy and the Smithsonian Institution, with educational expertise and content from the Smithsonian Science Education Center, are providing ten episodes of Smithsonian video content as part of the Smithsonian’s Earth Optimism (EO) Initiative. This program aims to support the Indonesian Ministry of Education’s “Learn from Home” program aired by public television broadcaster TVRI that caters to the needs of students without internet access.

July 2, 2020

The Global Classroom launched by Scarisbrick Hall School in Lancashire UK in partnership with the World Health Organisation and UNICEF aims to bring together the world’s school children across the globe to connect and have a voice during the COVID-19 global pandemic. This monthly series features world-recognized speakers, celebrities and distinguished guests including Bear Grylls, one of the most recognized faces in terms of survival and outdoor adventure, Captain Dave Henson OBE who helped to found the Invictus Games which is also championed by Prince Harry, multi-music award winner, Heather Small who achieved massive success with M People and the mother of Lady Gaga, Cynthia Germanotta, Goodwill Ambassador for Mental Health from the WHO. Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Dr. Brian Mandell, and Ms. Katherine Blanchard of SSEC use their "teacher" voices to engage the students who log on in active hands-on learning. Over 14,000 students participate live in each Global Classroom event.

June 26, 2020

With remote learning wrapping up and summer camps canceled, many families are at a loss for what to do with their children this summer. The National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) spoke with two experts, Dr. Rebecca Silverman and Dr. Carol O’Donnell, who offered creative ideas for keeping kids entertained and learning this summer. Dr. Silverman offered ideas for cultivating a love of reading in the Growing Great Readers podcast. Dr. O’Donnell talked about fostering curiosity through science projects and everyday opportunities to ask questions in the Raising Curious Kids podcast. This article provides a summary of these interviews.

June 25, 2020

When the right digital tools are blended with hands-on, experiential learning, good things happen! "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom" is a Cool Tool Award Winner for Best Curriculum & Instruction Solution as part of The EdTech Awards 2020. Our digital resources provide opportunities for students to investigate, model, and explain science phenomena that may be inaccessible in a traditional classroom. Digital resources feature and draw upon the Smithsonian’s research, scientists, and world-class collections. A powerful digital teacher’s guide helps teachers effectively integrate these resources into instruction and includes everything for planning, preparing, teaching, and assessing. Teachers can easily assign digital resources at point of use within instruction. A digital assignment management system allows easy, at-a-glance monitoring of individual, group, or class progress.

June 22, 2020

The Smithsonian Science Education Center announced a generous donation from Ofinno in support its Smithsonian Science Summer School (S4) program. Ofinno is a local research and development lab based in Reston, Virginia that believes in empowering the next generation of new technology developers and users through education. The Smithsonian’s Office of the Associate Provost for Education and Access also supports S4 in its second pilot year. Resources will be used to supply students in the DC area with at-home science materials so that they can do hands-on science at home during the virtual summer program run by the Horizon Greater Washington.

June 15, 2020

FEMA highlighted the Smithsonian Science Education Center's “COVID-19! How Can I Protect Myself and Others?” as one way of educating children on the science of COVID-19. FEMA notes, "In the face of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the country is seeing innovations in communities that highlight the best of human ingenuity. To show how organizations across the nation are helping those around them, and prompt everyone to think about how they can help others," the Smithsonian collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) to develop an educational tool for young people that blends inquiry-based science, social and emotional learning, and civic engagement. The guide, called "COVID-19! How can I protect myself and others?", allows youth to participate in seven activities which explore the global impact of COVID-19, demonstrates safe practices, teaches methods to research more information about COVID-19, and aids in understanding scientific evidence.

June 14, 2020

With students out of school, LPB and the Department of Education have developed dozens of academic resources for kids of all ages. These tools are designed to help students and parents navigate the new learning landscape and ensure that students return to school ready to go next fall. The Acadiana Advocate is pleased to partner with LPB and CLB The Community Bank to help reach parents with the resources available to learn from home. Smithsonian Science Education Center websites were featured resources for students in all grade levels, plus tips for parents and educators.

June 6, 2020

Are you looking for free online science resources for when you've all but given up on being your kid's science teacher? Mashable interviewed Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), to learn more about SSEC's free distance learning offerings for parents, students, and educators to use during a time of school closures. As Mashable notes, "While there's no magic wand to erase the anxiety....children and others feel around the country due to distance learning, there are resources that can help ease the burden on parents who have been forced to play teacher — and make things a little more fun for the kids, too."

June 5, 2020

Following the enormous success of the first "Global Classroom" event on May 5th, Dr. Carol O'Donnell and Dr. Brian Mandell were invited to participate in the 2nd worldwide live and interactive event, which was timed to coincide with World Environment Day on June 5th, 2020. They demonstrated a free lesson written by Dr. Katya Vines on wildlife corridors, adapted from the "How Can We Protect Animals When Their Habitat Changes?". Also joining Scarisbrick Hall was BMG artist Jason Mraz, World Health Organisation Technical Lead Dr Maria van Kerkhove, Smithsonian Institution Global Health Director Dr. Mac Farnham, as well as leading environmentalists Melati Wisjen and Andrew Brennen of National Geographic. Over 13,000 students from around the globe attended the virtual event to discuss and discover more about issues affecting the earth’s environment. Watch the video event here: https://www.theglobalclassroom.com/

Learn more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3182&v=HnYH5QYNrHs

May 21, 2020

Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP)—a partnership of 140 national academies of science, engineering and medicine—is proud to announce the release of “COVID-19! How can I protect myself and others?,” a new rapid-response guide for youth ages 8–17. The guide, which is based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, aims to help young people understand the science and social science of COVID-19 as well as help them take actions to keep themselves, their families and communities safe. To download the guide, which includes the set of seven cohesive student-led tasks aligned with 7 student-driven questions, go here: https://ssec.si.edu/covid-19. Major media outlets that picked up this story include:

• Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/05/22/how-teach-young-people-about-covid-19-heres-smithsonians-new-science-based-guide/

• CNN World (see 11:28 a.m. ET, May 21, 2020) - https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-pandemic-05-21-20-intl/index.html

• CNN Philippines - https://www.cnn.ph/world/2020/5/22/Health-officials-create-COVID-19-guide-for-kids.html

• CNBC Africa  - https://www.cnbcafrica.com/africa-press-office/2020/05/21/coronavirus-africa-smithsonian-science-education-center-with-support-of-the-world-health-organization-launches-new-covid-19-guide-for-youth/

• Healio - https://www.healio.com/pediatrics/emerging-diseases/news/online/%7B4d33f367-1e61-4280-9a1a-a8ea075cbae0%7D/smithsonian-who-launch-interactive-covid-19-guide-for-kids

• China’s SOHU - https://www.sohu.com/a/396852606_387205

• Yahoo News - https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/oms-publica-gu%C3%ADa-covid-19-231107648.html

• The Watch Wire - https://toute-la.veille-acteurs-sante.fr/149373/le-smithsonian-science-education-centre-avec-le-soutien-de-lorganisation-mondiale-de-la-sante-lance-un-nouveau-guide-covid-19-pour-les-jeunes-communique/

• Boyaca Portal Digital Information System - http://www.portalboyaca.com/noticia.php?id=28993

• Burgeron Report - https://burgeronreport.com/who-publishes-new-guide-on-covid-19-intended-for-youth/

• India TV News - https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/covid-19-how-can-i-protect-myself-and-others-who-issues-new-guide-for-youth-619384

• Soccer Today -  https://www.soccertoday.com/smithsonians-new-covid-guide-for-youth-ages-8-17-and-it-is-free/

• Los Alamos Daily Post - https://ladailypost.com/smithsonian-science-education-center-with-support-of-world-health-organization-launches-new-covid-19-guide-for-youth/

• Mega Doctor News - https://megadoctornews.com/new-covid-19-guide-for-youth/

• News Report Mx Mexico - https://newsreportmx.com/2020/05/22/smithsonian-science-education-center-with-support-of-the-world-health-organization-launches-new-covid-19-guide-for-youth/

• Sarajevo Times - https://www.sarajevotimes.com/smithsonian-science-education-center-launches-new-covid-19-guide-for-youth/

• Social News XYZ - https://www.socialnews.xyz/2020/05/21/coronavirus-africa-smithsonian-science-education-center-with-support-of-the-world-health-organization-launches-new-covid-19-guide-for-youth/

• Caribbean News Global - https://www.caribbeannewsglobal.com/smithsonian-science-education-center-to-support-who-new-covid-19-guide-for-youth/

• Africa News - https://www.africanews.com/2020/05/21/coronavirus-africa-smithsonian-science-education-center-with-support-of-the-world-health-organization-launches-new-covid-19-guide-for-youth/

• MENAFN - https://menafn.com/1100205319/Smithsonian-Science-Education-Center-to-support-WHO-new-COVID-19-guide-for-youth

• 24x7 News World - http://24x7newsworld.com/new-covid-19-guide-for-youth-launched/

• KMA News Agency - Kabuubi Media Africa - https://kmaupdates.com/coronavirus-africa-smithsonian-science-education-center-with-support-of-the-world-health-organization-launches-new-covid-19-guide-for-youth/

• El Heraldo de Mexico - https://issuu.com/elheraldodemexico/docs/covid-19_spanish

• Tenemos Noticias - https://tenemosnoticias.com/ciencia/clasificadas-tenemosnoticias-com/el-centro-smithsonian-lanza-guia-didactica-para-enfrentar-covid-19-voice-of-america/

• OCHA - Relief Web - https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/COVID-19_Spanish.pdf

• Organization for Safety Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) - https://www.osap.org/news/509244/Smithsonian-Science-Education-Center-With-Support-of-the-World-Health-Organization-Launches-New-COVI.htm

• Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) - https://aisa-covid19portal.com/smithsonian-science-education-center-with-support-of-the-who-launches-new-covid-19-guide-for-youth/

• WHO COVID-19 Situation Report - https://reliefweb.int/report/world/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-situation-report-123-22-may-2020

• Telegraph - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/21/coronavirus-positive-good-news-round-up-casey-donovans-car/

May 21, 2020

The Smithsonian Science Education Center, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP)—a partnership of 140 national academies of science, engineering and medicine—has developed “COVID-19! How can I protect myself and others?,” a new rapid-response guide for youth ages 8–17. The guide, which is based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, aims to help young people understand the science and social science of COVID-19 as well as help them take actions to keep themselves, their families and communities safe.

May 19, 2020

Do your children seem to have endless questions about everyday life? Do the WHY questions have you stumped? Encouraging curiosity is good for your child's development. The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) spoke with Dr. Carol O’Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, about how parents can support their budding scientists. In this blog, "Raising Curious Kids," Dr. O’Donnell discusses how families can find science in the world around them, and she shares fun activities parents can do at home this summer!

May 5, 2020

The Global Classroom’s inaugural class focused on how COVID-19 is affecting the physical and mental well being of children. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been a source of huge anxiety for children worldwide and this was a unique opportunity for children from all four corners of the globe to put their questions to the experts in charge of the global response to this public health crisis, and discuss coping mechanisms with inspirational role models. Children from more than 150,000 schools across 193 countries took part in discussions with an inspirational guest line-up that included Director General of the WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom; Executive Director of UNICEF, Henrietta Fore; HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed of the House of Saud; and Global Ambassador for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Samuel Eto’o. The Smithsonian Science Education Center also supported with student-friendly activities and hands-on experiments to learn about the science of COVID-19.

March 23, 2020

Dr. Usha Rajdev, a professor of math and science at Marymount University, is working with high school students in Uganda and their principals and teachers to educate youth on mosquito-borne diseases using the Smithsonian Science Education Center's (SSEC's) "Mosquito!" Community Research Guide, part of the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project. One of the 1,200 students involved in the project created a video to demonstrate his passion for sustainability and that video won the 2019 Teen Dream Global Competition on UN Sustainable Development Goals and Earth Optimism. Congratulations!! To learn more about the 2019 Teens Dream Global Winners go to: https://teensdreamcolab.org/2020/03/2019-teens-dream-global-winners-on-u-n-sdgs-and-earth-optimism/.

March 23, 2020

The issue surrounding the lack of women in STEM careers is best spoken about by those in the field. That’s why Reviews.com sought out two of the leading experts--Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center and member of the Broadband Commission Working Group on School Connectivity; and Sylvia Acevedo, CEO of Girl Scouts USA--for the article: "Bridging the Gender Divide: A Guide to Overcoming Broadband Access to be a Female Leader in STEM."

March 23, 2020

Villa Esperanza Services, which serves intellectually/developmentally disabled individuals in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, provided several Smithsonian STEM resources for its students to use during science learning at home.

March 23, 2020

SSEC's Weather Lab was highlighted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) National Weather Service as a top STEM resource for parents and students to use at home.

March 23, 2020

The Gelfand Center of Carnegie Mellon University is compiling resources that can be used to help children continue to learn while they are out of school because of COVID-19. The list includes "Tami's Tower: Let's Think about Engineering" from the Smithsonian Science Education Center.

March 23, 2020

The Clarkston Community Schools (CCS) created an easy to use Digital Learning Dashboard for its K-12 students' Home-based Student Enrichment. In the Science category, the Smithsonian Science Education Center Game Center is included as one of several digital resources to support students' at-home science learning. See: ScienceEducation.si.edu/game-center.

March 17, 2020

How can you support your children's science learning at home during the coronavirus crisis? Parade magazine put together a list of 125 ideas for students to engage in at home. Four of the resources are from the Smithsonian Science Education Center (see #77-80). Parade highlighted four ways parents and children can engage with our free STEM games, simulations, eBooks and apps for learning, including topics such as: insects, land and water patterns shown through our virtual glider, sugar, and weather.

March 16, 2020

As more districts have started closing, STEAM Cafe has had a lot of parents and educators looking for “home STEM” distance learning ideas. To address this need, they compiled 15 of the top STEM resources, gathered by the STEAM Café team and from their Facebook group that parents, teachers, and students can use, including from the Smithsonian Science Education Center.

March 16, 2020

To help support his 8th grade students' science learning at home, Mr. Efird, a teacher at Harold E. Winkler Middle School in Cabarrus County Schools in NC, provided useful links to free resources from the Smithsonian Science Education Center for long-term school closures. He shared SSEC's free games, apps, eBooks and simulations, such as: (1) Habitats, (2) Light Up the Cave, (3) Home on the Range, (4) Expedition: Insects, (5) Weather Lab, (6) Pick Your Plate! A Global Guide to Nutrition, (7) Tami's Tower: Let's Think About Engineering, (8) Showbiz Safari, (9) Bumper Ducks, (10) Shutterbugs: Wiggle and Stomp, (11) Aquation: The Freshwater Access Game, (12) Disaster Detector, (13) Morphy, (14) Glider Guide, and (15) Sugar Simulation. To access these games, go to: ScienceEducation.si.edu/game-center. Thank you, Mr. Efird!

March 12, 2020

Jennifer Javornik of Filament Games will highlight the power of digital games provided by the Smithsonian Science Education Center to promote awareness, empathy and change in her session, "How Nonprofits Can Harness the Power of Games for Impact".

March 11, 2020

Teresa Huber, an engineer and now CEO and President of InterVala, notes in her article "Closing the Gender Gap in STEM Begins with Education", that the number of women completing STEM degrees and working in related fields has grown considerably. In fact, the number of women in STEM careers has been increasing since the early 1990s, but the overall growth has been slow and inconsistent. She points out, "Experts say the way to beat the STEM gender gap is to encourage girls to explore their STEM options and interests at an early age. The classroom is one of the biggest environments with the potential to influence a passion in STEM and educators can be role models who guide and support girls in this area. And they don’t have to do it alone. Today, there are enormous resources to help educators drive this evolution, including the National Education Association, American Association of University Women, Smithsonian Science Education Center, and many others."

March 11, 2020

Teresa Huber--President and CEO of Intervala and author of "Closing the Gender Gap in STEM Begins with Education"--knows that experts say the way to beat the STEM gender gap is to encourage girls to explore their STEM options and interests at an early age. Huber explains that the classroom is one of the biggest environments with the potential to influence a passion in STEM and educators can be role models who guide and support girls in this area. She points out that there are enormous resources to help educators drive this evolution, including from the Smithsonian Science Education Center. This article is published by EMSNOW which provides the Electronics Manufacturing Sector, and its supporting supplier and customer bases, with a single, real-time information and analysis source covering the global aspects of this critical industry.

March 4, 2020 

In an effort to confront the underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teaching and leadership, the Smithsonian Science Education Center will host a STEM Education Summit March 6–8 at Xavier University of Louisiana.

This summit is the fourth of its kind to be offered by Smithsonian and the second to be held in New Orleans. At the summit, 20 teams of educators from diverse regions across the nation will embrace their roles as change agents to create plans for attracting and retaining STEM teachers from underrepresented populations in their schools or districts. Research shows that by increasing the diversity of the STEM teacher workforce, students from underrepresented populations are more likely to become interested in STEM and ultimately the career opportunities available to them.

March 4, 2020

SSEC Graphic Designer, Sofia Elian, is featured in the "One Smithsonian" Interpretive Lounge at the Smithsonian American Art Museum as part of the "Alexander von Humboldt and the United States: Art, Nature and Culture" exhibition. The Interpretive Lounge is at the conclusion of the exhibition and demonstrates the connection of Humboldt's work to the work being done across the Smithsonian Institution. The exhibition is on display until August 16. Learn more about the exhibition here: https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/humboldt

March 2, 2020

Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, was invited to serve on the Advisory Committee of the Smithsonian's InterConnected Health Initiative, which advances transdisciplinary research to improve human and wildlife health through catalyzing research and action globally. Leveraging Smithsonian expertise, resources, facilities, and partnerships around the world, the pan-institutional initiative aims to promote healthy people, wildlife, and environments. Through the Smithsonian's museums and digital assets, the initiative develops and disseminates educational materials and content so that the results of the Smithsonian's research can be transformed into global actions. For one example, see the "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals" project: www.ssec.si.edu/global-goals 

February 28, 2020

Enterra Solutions, a leading provider of cognitive computing solutions and artificial intelligence, used its supply chain brief to address "The Continuing STEM Imperative" (by Stephen DeAngelis). He sites the work of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) and explains that we live in a technologically-advanced world that is becoming even more technical. To navigate this world, up and coming generations need a firm foundation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) on which to build. All children need this foundation because STEM is vital to the future of our workforce. SSEC works to equip all children with the tools they need to succeed in a competitive economy.

February 24, 2020 

The Smithsonian Magazine published "Diverse Voices, New Narratives: Education at the Smithsonian," which highlights the work of Maria Marable-Bunch, Associate Director for Museum Learning and Programs at the National Museum of the American Indian, and Amy D'Amico, Division Director of Professional Services at the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Smithsonian museums, education centers, and research centers are bringing more diverse voices and perspectives to educational programs. In this article, two Smithsonian educators talk about presenting new narratives, challenging stereotypes and creating role models. To learn more about the work of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's diversity initiative, see: https://ssec.si.edu/event/stem-education-summit-building-coalition-attracting-and-retaining-diverse-stem-teaching

February 20, 2020

Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, joined Axios Co-Founder Mike Allen for conversations on the Future of "STEM Education and Digital Learning" on Tuesday February 18th at AJAX in Washington, DC. Other speakers included Dr. Sylvia Acevedo, CEO of Girl Scouts USA; Major General Charles Bolden, USMC and Former Administrator of NASA; and Tom Davidson, CEO of EVERFI. 

February 20, 2020 

The Well News interviewed Smithsonian Science Education Center Director Dr. Carol O'Donnell and other speakers following an Axios event in Washington, DC. The focus of the event was on the "Future of Science Education" and the clear theme from the various speakers was that the future is "experiential, digital, and sustainable." Environmental activist Greta Thunberg was a recurring topic of conversation. Educators and other industry stakeholders were in the audience, joined by a faction of Fridays for Future volunteers--members of a youth movement that began in August 2018 after then-15-year-old Greta Thunberg protested the lack of climate action in front of the Swedish parliament. “What can we learn from Greta?” asked O’Donnell. “The voice of youth really matters.”

February 19, 2020

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is pleased to announce a generous donation from Ofinno in support of its Smithsonian Science Summer School (S4) program. Ofinno is a local research and development lab based in Reston, Virginia that believes in empowering the next generation of new technology developers and users through education. The Smithsonian’s Office of the Associate Provost for Education and Access also supports S4 in its second pilot year in collaboration with Horizons Greater Washington, a local summer enrichment program for economically disadvantaged K-12 students in the Washington, DC area. S4 provides targeted professional development for teachers, inquiry-based science instruction for students, and educational experiences at selected Smithsonian museums.

February 17, 2020 

Presentations from the December 2019 "International Dialogue on STEM Education (IDoS)" conference in Berlin are now available online. On the first day of the conference, the attendees worked in six parallel workshops on various topics. This video shows one of them: Dr. Carol O’Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, USA, summarizes the essential learnings of the workshop called, "Frameworks and Models: How Do We Align STEM Education for Sustainable Development with the SDGs?"

February 15, 2020 

This "Trends Report" from the 100kin10 organization--of which the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is a member--is the culmination of weeks of research, drawn from dozens of events and workshops, hundreds of conversations with experts and influencers, thousands of teacher surveys, and commissioned reviews exploring everything from social media trends to new teaching methods. The SSEC is highlighted in 100kin10's top insights from 2019 under "Prediction #8: Environmental Advocacy will Engage More Youth in STEM," citing Paulo Correai from the Journal of Cleaner Production, who in 2010 said wrote about the importance of scientific literacy fostering education for sustainability and said,  "Scientific literacy can be considered as a new demand post-industrial society." 

February 10, 2020

Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, will join Axios Co-Founder Mike Allen for conversations on the Future of "STEM Education and Digital Learning" on Tuesday February 18th from 8:00 - 9:00 am EST at AJAX in Washington, DC. Other speakers include Dr. Sylvia Acevedo, CEO of Girl Scouts USA; Major General Charles Bolden, USMC and Former Administrator of NASA; and Tom Davidson, CEO of EVERFI. To register for the event, go to: https://thefutureofscienceeducation.splashthat.com/?utm_source=email

February 3, 2020

The IACEE 17th World Conference on Continuing Engineering Education will be hosted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 26-29 May 2020 in Trondheim, Norway. The focus of the event is "The Future of Work and Learning: Innovation, Sustainability, and Inclusion." Dr. Carol O'Donnell will provide the Keynote for the Opening Plenary focused on Sustainability. Keynotes for the Innovation Plenary include Patrick Brothers, Managing Director and Co-Founder of HolonIQ, a global market intelligence platform for education; and Berit Svendsen research scientist at Telenor. Keynote for the Inclusion Plenary will be Dr. Michael A. Fors, Executive Leader of Corporate Division Development in Boeing’s Leadership, Learning & Organizational Capability (LLOC) Team. 

February 3, 2020

January 23, 2020

Ms. Mary DuBois’ fifth-grade class, who is using the new "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom" curriculum, engaged in a highly immersive experience aligned with the Smithsonian's elementary NGSS curriculum by traveling to the newly re-designed Challenger Learning Center of Greater Rochester at Kodak Center. Commander Robson and Commander Raab led students through their mission to Mars. All French Road Elementary School fifth graders will attend the field trip in 2020. 

January 20, 2020

At the invitation of Agastya International Foundation in India, Katherine Blanchard and Amy D'Amico from Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), Washington DC, conducted a workshop in India on project-based learning. The Master Teachers who attended the training reach over 167,000 students and spent 1 week enacting community investigations taken from the "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals" "Mosquito!" module under a framework aligned with UN SDGs. Teacher trainers also learned about the "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom" curriculum, aligned with NGSS. The goal of the experience was to encourage long-term engagement between the two organizations and impact hundreds of thousands of students in India. 

January 13, 2020

"Scientific literacy is the new demand of our post-industrial society," according to the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Talia Milgrom-Elcott quotes the SSEC as she discusses the 4 things you need to know about STEM education in 2020. They are: (1) teacher diversity--supporting students (especially of color) by recruiting and supporting teachers of color; (2) technology proficiency; (3) certifying teachers in computer science; and (4) making STEM education relevant by fueling student activism. To learn more about how SSEC is engaging teachers and students in each of these areas, see the links above.

January 2, 2020

An Australian researcher focused on using digitally enabled technologies to enhance primary science education will travel to the US this year to further her work. Associate Professor Ange Fitzgerald, a science education and STEM researcher at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), was recently awarded a Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship. The Fellowship entitles her to work at the Smithsonian Science Education Centre (SSEC) where she will head up a project looking at development of an online professional learning tool for teachers.

December 24, 2019

Smithsonian Magazine interviewed 18 experts at the Smithsonian to find out what podcasts they listen to and to make recommendations for others as they start the new year in 2020. Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, shared "Her STEM Story," a weekly podcast about extraordinary stories of real women in the STEM fields. This podcast covers the amazing work of women across the globe who work in different STEM and STEM-related fields. Students (and others) who listen to the podcast learn about what motivates women in STEM, what struggles they overcame, and how we can close the gender gap in male-dominated fields. Check out the other 17 recommendations here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/eighteen-podcasts-listen-2020-180973853/

December 20, 2019

Dr. Usha Rajdev partnered with the Smithsonian Science Education Center to provide STEM education for sustainable development to teachers and institutions in Uganda. Over the course of two weeks, she met with one university and four local high schools to help them implement the Smithsonian's "Mosquito!: Community Research Guide for youth. Teachers from each institution engaged in training using STEM and what local resources can be used to implement this project. The "Mosquito!" module framework focuses on sustainable actions that are defined and implemented by students in reducing mosquito infestations in and around schools. This included cleaning wells, removal of stagnant water, the life cycle of mosquitoes and their spreading of diseases and the importance and urgency of engineering and design of mosquito traps by students. Watch the news coverage from WDVM 25 of this effort: https://www.localdvm.com/news/virginia/marymount-university-experiment-may-be-reducing-cases-of-malaria-in-uganda/

December 9, 2019

Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, co-authored a position paper of the “International Dialogue on STEM Education” (IDoS), which convened in Berlin, December 5-6, 2019. The paper (Pahnke, O'Donnell, & Bascopé, 2019) analyzes how inquiry-based STEM education can serve to enhance sustainable development and build capacity for future generations. It argues for an integrated and transdisciplinary approach of STEM Education for Sustainable Development (STEM4SD Education). STEM4SD adds value to educating young people because it provides the fundamentals to understanding how to develop sustainability mindsets and use reflective STEM knowledge for social good. Through the provided "Global Goals Action Progression" framework from the SSEC and accompanying examples from around the world, the paper demonstrates how educators can address the complex context of global challenges and encourage youth to draw on their STEM competence and the process of science as a key basis for reasonable action in our world. Knowledge, skills and understanding of science, technology, engineering, and math phenomena can help students understand global problems and support actions in society that address these challenges in a meaningful and knowledge-based way. Siemens Stiftung reported that 120 international participants and organizations have endorsed the paper to date.

Professor Martin Bascopé, Dr. Janna Pahnke, and Dr. Carol O'Donnell served as primary authors for "Using Science to Do Social Good: STEM Education for Sustainable Development" for the International Dialogue on STEM Education (IDoS) in Berlin. 

December 4, 2019

According to a recent article published in the US News and World Report, creating is just one element of the "design thinking" classes now installed in 400 Dutch primary schools. In education, this approach focuses on identifying new challenges as they develop and finding potential solutions. As Harvard's Graduate School of Education notes, this framework can be used to design specific courses or for group projects. Having empathy and critical thinking skills are crucial for this educational approach. Remke Klapwijk, a researcher at the Delft University of Technology, is part of a team that is midway through a five-year study called "Codesign with Kids, Early Mastering of 21st Century Skills," in which they assess the skills of primary school children in various schools in the South Holland region. Their research so far shows that pupils develop empathy and creative thinking skills by following dedicated design thinking classes. Klapwijk says that schools that integrate 21st–century skills into their curriculum also measure positive results in more traditional courses. The US News and World Report article states, "Studies such as one by the Smithsonian Science Education Center support such findings. The Smithsonian report concludes that its findings 'unequivocally demonstrate that inquiry-based science improves student achievement not only in science but also in reading and math.'"

December 2, 2019

How do we develop an integrated STEM program? STEM is not just an acronym that represents four separate disciplines: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is more than that, and one of the biggest challenges is understanding how to integrate the disciplines in a meaningful authentic way. Watch the STEM Leadership Alliance panel–moderated by Kelli Wells and including SSEC Director Dr. Carol O'Donnell along with Executive Directors from NSTA, ITEEA, NCTM, and ASEE–discuss what it means to develop a fully integrated STEM program.

Then, read this article on "The Great Debate" which draws on Courtney Carmichael's State-by-State Policy Analysis.  Carmichael argues that differences in how states understand STEM education and the role of integration have significant consequences for career and college readiness across the U.S.

December 2, 2019

Maryville University's recent article, "Women in STEM: A Guide to Bridging the Gender Gap" cited the work of the Smithsonian Science Education Center and promoted SSEC's resources to support girls in STEM. The article cites the gender disparity in students who graduate with STEM degrees and enter careers related to these fields. The author states, "Research has shown that women are far less likely to graduate with a STEM degree or enter a career in STEM compared to their male counterparts."

December 2, 2019

"The Diversity in STEAM Magazine" cites statistics from the Smithsonian Science Education Center to build its case for the importance of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in STEM Education--one of three priorities of the Smithsonian Science Education Center. In the article, "Igniting Passion And Diversity In STEM", the author argues that we need to make it easier for people to experiment with STEM early in life, then create accessible and alternative opportunities to pursue their dreams. Equally important, the author states, we also need to find ways to dramatically advance gender diversity in STEM fields to accelerate innovation around the world.

December 2, 2019

Professor Robyn Gillies, who has been widely profiled in the international science literature and on the SSEC website, has authored a new 2019 book from Routledge on inquiry-based science education (IBSE). Professor Gillies is Chief Investigator on the Science of Learning Research Centre (SLRC) in Brisbane, Australia. In her book, she discusses different evidence-based strategies teachers can use to teach inquiry science in their classrooms. The research and theoretical perspectives that underpin the strategies are discussed as are examples of how different ones are implemented in science classrooms to affect student engagement. 

December 2, 2019

A global leader in online education, 3P Learning, cited an article from the Smithsonian Science Education Center's Manager of Digital Media, Ashley Deese. Ashley's STEMVisions blog, "5 Benefits of Gamification" states that gamification aids in cognitive development. Ashley notes that when participating in gamification, students use the regions of their brains responsible for critical development; and, when these games include questions and problem solving skills, they can improve the rate of brain processing and strengthen information retention.

November 25, 2019

As part of the Smithsonian Year of Music, the Future of Music Public Forum will take place in Washington, D.C., December 12 through 14, 2019. The forum will feature visions regarding the future of music from artistic, technological, sociological, legal, business, and educational perspectives, for both industry insiders and the general public of music enthusiasts. Join Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, on Saturday, December 14th at 10:30 as she serves on the panel, "K-12: How do we use music to educate in the classroom/museum?"  Other panelists include experts from Lawrence University, the University of Tennessee, and the National Association of Music Education. The panel will be moderated by Teng Chamchumrus, Executive Officer of the Smithsonian Office of the Associate Provost for Education and Access.

November 16, 2019 

Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), served as the keynote speaker at the Metroplex Area Science Supervisors (MASS) convening held in the Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas area on October 18th. Carol discussed the importance of place-based learning and engaged the local area school district science supervisors in a hands-on STEM activity from the SSEC's 5th grade module, "How can we provide freshwater to those in need?" from the Smithsonian Science for the Classroom NGSS curriculum. In this module, groups of students evaluate information about a specific town in order to design a solution for accessing and treating water that meets specified criteria and constraints. Using the Edwards Aquifer in Texas as the place-based scientific phenomenon, Carol engaged the supervisors first-hand in designing a solution for pumping groundwater (like the water found in the Edwards Aquifer) to the surface. Science supervisors communicated possible solutions to failure points encountered during system testing and discussed its application to Texas. To view Dr. O'Donnell's presentation, click here. To request a similar presentation in your area, email knans.griffing@carolina.com. 

November 15, 2019

EdScoop recently cited statistics from the Smithsonian Science Education Center in its article, "Rural STEM Education Bill Aims to Grow Workforce."  The article discusses a new bill now being considered by the House Science, Space, and Technology committee, which aims to improve STEM education in rural areas by giving teachers more resources, engaging students though hands-on education, and increasing access to broadband and grow the technical workforce.

November 13, 2019

The UMass Amherst Institute for Global Health (IGH) in collaboration with the STEM Ambassadors Program hosted a symposium titled “Achieving Global Equity through STEM Education: Health, Environment & Policy” on Thursday, November 21. The daylong event featured a keynote panel headlined by Dr Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, who discussed the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project. Additional panelists included Gary Toranzos, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras; Rupika Delgoda, Professor of Biochemical Pharmacology, the University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica; Laurel Royer, Managing Scientist at Exponent; and Carolyn Gardner-Thomas, Lecturer of Math, Harvard University. The panel was chaired by Jennie Ward-Robinson, CEO of the Alliance for Global Health Innovation and a member of the SSSEC Advisory Board.

Symposium panelists and organizers (left to right): Sonji Johnson-Anderson, Timothy Ford, Jennie Ward-Robinson, Gary Toranzos, Carolyn Gardner-Thomas, Rupika Delgoda, Laurel Royer, Margaret Riley, and Carol O'Donnell. Image: University of Massachusetts Amherst 

November 12, 2019

Katherine Blanchard published an article in NISSEM Global Briefs: "Educating for the Social, the Emotional and the Sustainable." Her brief, Chapter 17: “Understanding yourself as a foundation for exploring the world” was co-authored by Heidi Gibson, Director of Global Schools First, Childhood Education International and Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center--two organizations that are focusing on the importance of developing learner identities as change makers to address Sustainable Development Goal Target 4.7. By exploring personal, local, and global identities, young learners can see themselves both as part of collectives within their own local communities and as members of the global citizenry, prepared to collaborate to take action on issues that both affect them personally and have an impact on the future of the planet.

November 8, 2019

In the U.S., there simply aren’t enough people pursuing STEM to meet growing technology demands. According to the Smithsonian Science Education Center, "78 percent of high school graduates don't meet benchmark readiness for one or more college courses in mathematics, science or English." And then there are barriers to STEM advancement like four or six-year degree requirements for many jobs—which are remarkably difficult for most people to afford. This article discusses how important it is for people to experiment with STEM early in life. As educators, we must create accessible and alternative opportunities for young students to pursue their dreams. Equally important, we need to find ways to dramatically advance gender diversity in STEM fields to accelerate innovation around the world.  

November 7, 2019

Katherine Blanchard, SSEC's Program Manager for Leadership Development and International Programs, presented, "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals: Engaging youth to take local action on the world's most pressing issues" at the 2019 Global Education Conference. To view the recording link go to: https://sas.elluminate.com/dr.jnlp?sid=2008350&suid=D.A088738729796E022CB51B40DA4C13

November 4, 2019

The Virginia Association of Science Teachers (VAST) and the Virginia Department of Education will host the 2019 VAST Professional Development Institute (PDI), "STEM Starts with Science," to be held November 14-16, 2019, at Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, Roanoke, Virginia. Erik Benton and Knans Griffing will engage participants in the Smithsonian’s new module “How Does Motion Energy Change in a Collision?”. Using Bumper Cars participants will experience scientific phenomenon firsthand. They will then plan & carry out an investigation using a fair test, represent data on distance moved of a stationary object to identify and effect relationships, construct an explanation that faster objects have more motion energy, and determine whether the texture of a surface affects the motion of a sliding object.

November 4, 2019

Middle school students at the International Baccalaureate Program at Red Oaks will investigate relevant topics and important concepts in life, earth, and physical science using research, observation, and hands-on experimentation using the Smithsonian Science and Technology Concepts for Middle Schools (STCMS) curriculum, together with IB assessments. Students will work independently and collaboratively  using a “hands-on” and “minds-on” approach and will investigate the world and explore the connections between science and everyday life as budding scientists.

November 4, 2019

As required by Federal law, the Delaware Department of Education released its School Report Cards to the public, many of which have indicated their selection of Smithsonian Science kits for their K-8 science curricula. Delaware aims to enable parents and stakeholders to engage meaningfully in public education decisions, which is only possible when they have access to clear, robust, timely and continuous information about how their students and schools are doing throughout the state. The Delaware Report Card also offers detailed educational information about every Delaware district, school and charter.

November 4, 2019

In the Spring 2019, a new computer-based DC Science Assessment (DC Science)--with a wide range of accessibility features for support and delivered in the same testing platform as PARCC–was administered to DC students in grades 5, 8 and high school biology. Designed in collaboration with DC educators and community partners, including the Smithsonian Science Education Center, DC Science measures student mastery of science content and skills outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Drawing on scenarios, including those from the Smithsonian, DC Science focuses on interesting scientific phenomena and engineering problems and challenges students to apply scientific thinking, problem-solving, and sense-making skills. School level results and individual student score reports will be available in the Fall 2019. To explore practice tests for grades 5, 8 and high school, go to: www.osse.dc.gov/science 

November 4, 2019

The Pennsylvania STEAM Academy public charter school in Harrisburg, PA opened in September of 2019 for grades K, 1 and 2. A large group of community service providers is partnered with the school to help support the student and the whole family. The Academy will use Smithsonian Science for the Classroom curriculum to "dramatically transform the learning of science" for students.

Photo: Pennsylvania STEAM Academy

November 4, 2019

Smithsonian Science Education Center Director, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, will keynote the Institute for Global Health (IGH) Symposium "Achieving Global Equity through STEM Education: Health, Environment & Policy" at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on November 21, 2019, sponsored by IGH and the STEM Ambassadors Program. Additional panelists include Dr. Jennie Ward-Robinson, CEO of the Alliance for Global Health Innovation and SSEC Advisory Board Member; Dr. Gary Toronzos, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras; Dr. Rupika Delgoda, Professor of Biochemical Pharmacology, the University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica; Dr. Laurel Royer, Managing Scientist at Exponent; and Dr. Carolyn Gardner-Thomas, Lecturer of Math, Harvard University.

October 24, 2019

The Caldwell Journal announced that the Caldwell County Schools will participate in the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s Early-phase Education Innovation and Research proposal titled "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom: Improving Student Achievement Across State Borders and State Standards."

October 15, 2019

The Brookings Institution hosted the "Girls' Education Research and Policy Symposium: Learning Across a Lifetime" in Washington, DC on October 15, 2019. UNICEF, USAID, UK DFID, FAWE Africa, Plan International, and Brookings provided opening remarks. Katherine Blanchard, SSEC Program Manager for Leadership Development and International Programs, participated in the breakout discussion focused on "Bridging Policy and Practice: Skilling Girls’ for Better Life Outcomes Through STEM." Copies of the transcript are available online.

October 15, 2019

The New York Baldwinsville Central School District (BCSD) Superintendent Matt McDonald hosted a gathering for the school community to learn about the district's curriculum and instruction, technology, and athletics. Tony Cardamone, the district’s director of curriculum and instruction for kindergarten through grade 6, has been working on implementing new learning standards over the past few years. To address new science standards in NY, BCSD adopted the "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom" curriculum through the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). Elementary teachers go through two days of professional development for each curriculum module. 

Photo: New York Baldwinsville Central School District 

October 15, 2019

October 14, 2019

The National Science Museum (NSM) of Thailand is working with the Smithsonian Science Education Center—a Washington D.C.-based organization focused on science education for children in grades K–12—to translate its Community Research Guide "Mosquito! How do we ensure health for all from mosquito-borne disease?" into Thai, which is underway so it may be used as a prevention tool in Thailand’s schools. Like the interactive tactic of the Outbreak exhibition at NSM, the hope is that "Mosquito!" (which is made up of 40+ hands-on activities for youth) will engage students in a way that encourages them to experience scientific inquiry, rather than simply reading about it, by providing opportunities for them to get involved in the actual process of conducting work. SSEC is optimistic that innovative mosquito-borne disease awareness practices will be adopted across borders to meet country-specific needs without disrupting the interactive experience. This could mean a focus on malaria in Africa or on Zika in the Caribbean. Thanks to the efforts of public health, science and technology facilitators, organizations such as NSM and the Smithsonian Science Education Center are participating in a transcontinental, collaborative effort in community education and prevention. By working together without boundaries, these organizations are establishing the path to relieving the at-risk population of mosquito-borne disease.

October 14, 2019

October 7, 2019

A new 5-year $4.5M grant ($3.9M from US Department of Education plust a $500K match) titled "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom: Improving Student Achievement Across State Borders and State Standards" will bring “Smithsonian Science for the Classroom” to more than 11,250 students in grades 3-5 in North Carolina and South Carolina in partnership with two community collaborators—the North Carolina Science, Math and Technology Center (CEO, Sam Houston) and the South Carolina Coalition for Mathematics & Science (CEO, Tom Peters)—and one external evaluator from the University of Memphis. Schools will receive differentiated science and engineering professional development aligned with SSEC's curriculum, 3-dimensional pedagogy, and content PD. Together these services can improve student outcomes in rural communities consisting largely of high needs populations. Expected outcomes include student learning in the disciplines of science, engineering, reading, and math, as well as increased teacher confidence and preparedness.

October 5, 2019

Smithsonian Science Education Center has developed community research guides which use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to focus on sustainable actions that are student-defined and implemented. These modules attempting to empower the next generation of decision makers capable of making the right choices about the complex socio-scientific issues facing human society, blends together previous practices in Inquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE), Social Studies Education (SSE), Global Citizenship Education (GCE), and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Over the initial 2 days Katherine and Amy engaged Agastya’s instructors in a discussion on exploring their project-based framework - how the modules are envisioned, their structure, the research that went into them, viewpoints of the researchers, how learning outcomes are derived, how scientific thinking was merged into the structure of the guide etc. This discussion used SSEC module ‘Mosquito’ as an exemplar for this. On the final day Amy and Katherine went through a ‘Life Science’ module from their Smithsonian Science for Classroom series highlighting how they have developed these intersecting modules in tune with the national curriculum. They emphasized on the ‘Three-dimensional’ learning principles - Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs), Scientific and Engineering Practices (SEPs) and Cross Cutting Concepts (eg: patterns, proportion, and energy) which was used to develop these units.

September 29, 2019 

Ed Swallow, senior vice president of the Civil Systems Group at The Aerospace Corp. and a passionate STEM advocate, discusses the future of tech and our role in it.

September 23, 2019

Utilizing the brand new 2019 "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom" (SSftC) Science Curriculum, the Washington Episcopal School (WES) in Bethesda, Maryland engage their students in STEM topics on a variety of modules. According to WES, "The curriculum is intentionally developed to give students the opportunity to find the purpose of what they are learning and how they can apply that knowledge and skills to make a difference in the world. The SSftC curriculum meets the NGSS standards."

September 20, 2019

The Medford Township Public Schools Middle School curriculum was updated to reflect the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) beginning the 2017-18 school year. The state of New Jersey recently adopted the NJSLS Science standards that are based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These standards were developed to create science and engineering learning experiences for students that will carry over to their everyday lives as well as deepen their understanding of the core ideas in science. The curriculum was written using the newest program created by the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Science and Technology Concepts for Middle School (STCMS). STCMS is a hands on, inquiry based program with research-based science instruction rich in experiential phenomena and engineering design integrated throughout each unit. Instruction that goes beyond meeting the NJSLS/NGSS standards, STCMS™ steps up to the challenge of meeting the 5 Innovations of NGSS.

• Three-dimensional learning
• Coherent learning progression
• Phenomena and design solution
• Integrated Engineering and the Nature of Science
• Math and literacy connected with science content

September 19, 2019 

As part of its 2019-2020 Professional Development Plan, the Guilderland School District in NY will continue to train instructional leaders and faculty in all frameworks, practices, and requirements of the NY State Next Generation Learning Standards including Frameworks for Science. Guiderland's goal is to understand how common learning standards can be used to inform instruction, and to develop in all students the practice skills and content knowledge required for college and career readiness in science. As a result, Guilderland will provide professional development to all elementary teachers in the school district who are implementing "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom" modules and support teachers implementation of the Smithsonian's Next Generation aligned curricula.

September 18, 2019

The International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation (ISTIC) under the auspices of UNESCO held an event in Paris September 3-5, 2019, with an associated forum: "Responding to the Unique Challenges of Climate Change through Climate Change Education." The event was hosted by HE Dr Anessee Ibrahim, Permanent Delegate of Malaysia to UNESCO and featured a keynote presentation from Datuk Dr Amin Senin, Director General of Education, Ministry of Education Malaysia. Because of possible climatic influences on the distribution of mosquito-transmitted diseases, Dr. Peter McGrath, IAP Coordinator from Trieste, Italy, also highlighted the ‘Mosquito!’ teaching curriculum prepared by the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) in collaboration with IAP.

September 15, 2019

A September 15, 2019 article in the "Times Telegram" makes it very clear: "Educators want more computer science classes." It also discusses the plans for many districts in New York to adopt STEAM programs, including New Hartford Central School District, which recently adopted SSEC's curriculum, "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom," for their elementary schools.  New Hartford Central School District applies computer applications throughout elementary school courses, including science. 

September 6, 2019

Three GSEHD alumnae were recently recognized as part of the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals team at the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Under the leadership of Director, Dr. Carol O’Donnell (Ed.D., Curriculum and Instruction), the project, Smithsonian Science for Global Goals, was awarded the 2018 Smithsonian Education Innovation Award, which “recognizes an outstanding program, resource, or other initiative in education.” Smithsonian Science for Global Goals was recognized for "its boundary-pushing approach to helping students across the globe understand critical socio-scientific issues and how they can take action in their local communities to make a difference. The project’s inquiry-based education modules, each focusing on a complex issue such as the challenges and mitigation of mosquito-borne illness and flexibly designed to meet classroom and regional needs, promise to engage and inspire a new generation of scientifically literate global citizens.” Heidi Gibson (master's, International Education) led the development of the curricular framework and the program’s focus on informed action as a part of her IEP Capstone project. Katherine Blanchard (master's, International Education) manages international programming for the Smithsonian Science Education Center, which includes developing and managing implementation mechanisms for the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals program.

August 27, 2019

Dr. Carol O’Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, was invited to give a talk on the “Smithsonian Science for Global Goals” project at a convening organized by the National Science Museum (NSM) of Thailand in Bangkok and InterAcademy Partnership Science Education Program (IAP SEP) with the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Thailand. The Forum, entitled “Promoting Science Literacy through National Museums of ASEAN Countries,” was held on 25 -26 August. At the Forum, members of the IAP SEP Global Council, of which Carol is a member, discussed the possibilities of the collaboration between science museum/centers and the national museums in the promotion of science literacy for the sustainable development.

August 8, 2019

In this comprehensive article on the powerful potential of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), author Anna Van Dordrecht addresses how NGSS is providing a new vision for how students will learn science. Van Dordrecht states that NGSS involves three significant deviations from traditional science education. First, NGSS includes earth and space science as its own scientific domain. The second major change NGSS brings is the inclusion of engineering standards. NGSS calls for engineering design and scientific inquiry to be taught simultaneously. The third significant change in NGSS is its focus on equity. A major tenant of implementation is “all standards, all students.” She also cites the Smithsonian Science Education Center's thought leadership on the important role educators play in developing students' scientific literacy in order to make informed personal choices and be involved, responsible citizens. 

August 2, 2019 

Smithsonian Science Education Center Interactive Developer Reuben Brenner-Adams and Education Technology Specialist Ryan Seymour joined a panel discussion at the 2019 Games for Change Festival in New York City on June 18th entitled Agencies of Play. They presented on the process of creating science games with an in-house digital development team at the Smithsonian Science Education Center. The annual Games for Change Festival aims to bring in game creators and social innovators to drive real-world change using games.

July 31, 2019

To help inspire a future of STEMpowered women, EdVentures! compiled a list of 10 incredible Resources for Girls in STEM. SSEC's "Girls in STEM" webpage and free resources was among the list. 

July 24, 2019

In its third year of implementation,the Alamance Community College (ACC) has lead the Medical School Camp for middle school boys. ACC President Gatewood says he has always been concerned with the skills gap, education gap, poverty gap, and belief gap minority boys have faced. "There are a lot of African-American students who do not believe they belong in a medical school. For that matter, they don’t believe they belong in dental school or in college," said Gatewood, who is African American. A major part of this summer’s three-week medical school summer camp is a one-week visit to the UNC Chapel Hill medical and dental schools, where the kids will meet professionals who look just like them. They also use a mixed curriculum developed by Carolina Biological Supply Company of Burlington and Smithsonian Science and Technology Concepts Middle School (STCMS) to engage the boys in hands-on minds-on STEM learning.  

Photo: Madeline Gray / For WUNC

July 23, 2019

In this article, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, discusses the role of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) in K-12 education. She recommends what parents should look for when selecting a school to support STEAM education; what the research says about the importance of a multi-modal environment of both tactile and digital experiences in STEM pedagogy; and why schools should also focus on science education for social good. The article ends with a series of questions to consider when establishing or selecting a successful STEM school.

July 15, 2019

Three of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) staff were identified to serve on Committees of the White House National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). Ashley Deese, SSEC Manager of Digital Media and Amy D'Amico, SSEC Division Director Professional Services, will serve on the InterAgency Working Groups of CoSTEM. Carol O'Donnell, Director of SSEC, will represent the Smithsonian on the Congressionally mandated Federal Coordination in STEM Education (FC-STEM) Subcommittee of NSTC's Committee on STEM Education (CoSTEM), which oversees and coordinates the implementation of the 5-Year CoSTEM Strategic Plan (2018-2023). 

July 3, 2019

The InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) reported to its members the global impact to date of the community research guide called "Mosquito! How do we ensure health for all from mosquito-borne diseases?". "Mosquito!" was developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in collaboration with the IAP. "Mosquito!" is the first Community Research Guide of the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project and has reached over 6500 students to date across the globe. 

June 24, 2019

Gamification is a powerful teaching strategy when leveraged correctly – but little more than a buzzword when poorly implemented. That’s why it’s important to know exactly what gamification is, how it works, and how to get it set up in your classroom. According to the Smithsonian Science Education Center, games that invite critical thinking and problem-solving can improve students’ processing and information retention abilities. Most educational games fit this category.

June 19, 2019

The "International Dialogue on STEM Education" (IDoS)—a joint conference of the "Haus der kleinen Forscher" Foundation and Siemens Stiftung—has identified the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project as the US initiative to highlight at its 2019 IDoS conference. Throughout the world, curriculum developers are using STEM education to empower children to become independent-thinking adults who can contribute to overcoming global challenges. For this year’s International Dialogue on STEM Education conference (IDoS 2019), SSEC will share how it is helping to identify the potential of early STEM education for a more sustainable future.

June 17, 2019

On June 4, 2019, Steven Monfort, Director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, provided Congressional testimony on the Hill focused on "Nature in Crisis: Biodiversity Loss and Its Causes." In his testimony to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology U.S. House of Representatives, Dr. Monfort referenced the role that the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is playing to convey science-based solutions to the public and work with scientists worldwide to generate and share knowledge to conserve biodiversity. Dr. Monfort discussed how SSEC, along with our SI and InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) colleagues, is working across disciplines to amplify the work and create impact in communities through the "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals" project. To read the testimony, go to: https://science.house.gov/imo/media/doc/Monfort%20Testimony.pdf

June 13, 2019

Thanks to an introduction from Irwin Schlachter, Headmaster of the Alexander Robertson School in NYC and former Advisory Board Member of the SSEC, the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), is now working directly with the Jacaranda School in Malawi--a sister school of the Robertson School in NYC. The Jacaranda School is implementing the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals "Mosquito!" community-based learning program with its 400 students in an afterschool program (see 3:46 in the video). "Mosquito!" is the result of a collaboration between the Smithsonian and the InterAcademy Partnership and was funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, with additional support from Johnson & Johnson.

To learn more about the Jacaranda School, go to: http://www.jacarandafoundation.org/photos-videos.

June 10, 2019

Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC); Dr. Monica Solana Elizondo, Associate Director of Hematology Latin America at Janssen; Johnson & Johnson; and the SSEC were highlighted in the Smithsonian Institution's 2018 Annual Report for their collective efforts to engage more girls and Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing, and Design (STEM2D) throughout the globe.

May 30, 2019 

Brian Mandell, Division Director of Curriculum and Communications, participated as a Fellow in the Salzburg Global Seminar titled Parks for the Planet: Partnerships for Urban Well-being and Resilience. The program explored the topics of Cities and Nature, Transforming Urban Systems, Disruptive City Leadership and Nature, and Priorities for Green Investment all within the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs). Cities and Nature are critical topics to consider since by most estimates, over 75% of the world’s population will be living in towns and cities by 2050. Sustainable design of urban environments represents a critical driver for the health of our planet. During the seminar, Mandell was asked to participate as a panelist discussing the topic of Smarter Cities, Smarter Citizens under the topic of Disruptive Leadership.  Panelists discussed what makes a smart city, “smart”, whether smart cities were an opportunity or menace and how smart cities can help catalyze green innovation and investment. Panelists also explored how AI and the idea of “collective intelligence” could be used to improve the health of health and well-being of its citizens. The topics and network of thought leaders, innovators, and policymakers who participated in the seminar will add incredible perspectives and expertise to the upcoming Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project focused on Sustainable Cities and Communities. 

May 14, 2019

Smithsonian Science Education Center Interactive Developer Reuben Brenner-Adams and Education Technology Specialist Ryan Seymour will join a panel discussion at the 2019 Games for Change Festival in New York City on June 18th entitled Agencies of Play. They will present on the process of creating science games with an in-house digital development team at the Smithsonian Science Education Center. The Games for Change Festival aims to bring in game creators and social innovators to drive real-world change using games. More specifically, Games for Change highlights efforts of games to help people to learn 21st-century STEM skills and to inspire youth to improve their communities.

May 11, 2019

Dr. Carol O'Donnell has been invited to speak at the STEM Leadership Alliance Summit in Orlando, FL July 2019. The STEM Leadership Alliance is a collaboration of five major STEM organizations: National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), National Council of Teachers of Math (NCTM), International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA), and American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). Individually, these leading STEM organizations advance the work of educators and students across the country. As a collaborative, they will help disrupt the manner in which integrated STEM is implemented. The Alliance is composed of leading businesses, non-profit organizations and foundations committed to advancing STEM education and linking it to the career needs of the future. The Alliance expanded to include out-of-school organizations, museums, student-family organizations and other community shareholders dedicated to integrated STEM teaching and learning.

May 10, 2019

The US Global Hub of Future Earth is collaborating with the science and technology for sustainability program at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to host a series of dialogues with US sustainability research and innovation leaders from different sectors, to assess the status and future of sustainability science in the US. The focus of these cross-sector dialogues will be on societal needs and research ecosystem capacities for response; the frameworks through which citizens should be supporting sustainability science; and, the methods for linking research, innovation, and technology communities. Dr. Franklin Carrero-Martinez, Director Global Policy and Development and the Science and Technology for Sustainability Programs at NASEM, invited Dr. Carol O'Donnell to join the dialogue based on SSEC's work in the "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals" project.

May 10, 2019

With the support of SSEC’s Ferdinand Gouveia, SSEC supported a program called “ATLAS Water”, which engaged twelve students in a six-week after-school science program at Santa Fe’s Piñon Elementary School (SFPS). ATLAS Water examined the impacts of climate change on Santa Fe’s access to water in 2040. The team found some surprises, most notably that the biggest local effects of climate change might not be from less precipitation. The program was developed by SFPS teacher Delara Sharma and local scientist Dr. Joel Berendzen. In Santa Fe, students interacted with archeologist Damien Evans in Paris, NOAA climatologist Howard Diamond, California artist/conservationist Wyland, and UNM Professor John Fleck, as well as local water experts. The ATLAS Water team of explorers then presented their results to city and county officials, as well as parents, at Piñon Elementary School on Friday, May 10 and the public (and SSEC Director Carol O’Donnell) watched the event live-streamed on the Santa Fe Public Schools’ YouTube channel at: https://bit.ly/SFPSVideos and interacted with the students via Zoom. Following the ATLAS program, the SSEC will make the materials available for free use by after-school groups so that students worldwide can explore future access to water in their own locales.” SSEC’s ATLAS programs are unusual by having high-school students teach middle school students’ the principles to “Always Think Like a Scientist (ATLAS),” then apply those principles to complex socio-scientific issues (like accessing fresh water). Chief among the ATLAS principles is engaging with scientists directly and communicating with others.”

May 9, 2019

The Smithsonian Science Education Center's educational engineering design game, Tami's Tower: Let's Think About Engineering, has received four out of five possible stars in a review from Common Sense Media. In particular, the review praises the engineering design learning process, visual design, and educational scaffolding demonstrated in Tami’s Tower, which was also featured on Common Sense Media's lists of "Best Engineering Games for Kids," "Free Educational Games," and "Games for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math." Common Sense Media is the leading family-focused reviewer of games, apps, movies, TV shows, and other digital media. Tami's Tower is a freely available digital resource for students ages 4 - 7 which combines animated Smithsonian animals such as the golden lion tamarin, bewildering building-block engineering design challenges, and research-based metacognitive prompts that can help young learners consider their own thinking as they design solutions to STEM problems.

May 7, 2019

The Smithsonian Science Education Center and Interactive Developer Reuben Brenner-Adams were featured in two wrap-up videos from STEM TechCamp Brasil 2019: Inovação em Educação. The videos, accessible at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRtgOVDOhlU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjqxlScFH4E, highlight the SSEC’s participation in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Information Programs TechCamp public diplomacy initiative and, specifically, the work that Brenner-Adams did as a trainer and mentor in at STEM TechCamp Brasil 2019 in São Paulo, Brazil in February 2019. TechCamps are hands-on, participant-driven workshops that connect private sector technology experts with key populations—journalists, non-governmental organizations, civil society advocates, and more—to explore and apply innovative tech solutions to global issues. Brenner-Adams’s workshop, “From Analog to Digital: Rapidly Prototyping Your App,” aimed to give educators from diverse communities around Brazil a groundwork for prototyping games, apps, and other digital products with accessible and available tools.

June 5, 2019

New Hartford Central School District reported at its meeting of the Board of Education that it has reviewed the rollout and implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards including the Smithsonian Science for the Classroom hands-on kits.

May 3, 2019

The first global document that proposes a definition for Astronomy Literacy was published recently in open-access, and Dr. Hyunju Lee from the Smithsonian Science Education Center is one of the authors. The first global Astronomy Literacy document, “Big Ideas in Astronomy: A Proposed Definition of Astronomy Literacy” was announced by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and is freely available at: https://www.iau.org/static/archives/announcements/pdf/ann19029a.pdf.

April 29, 2019

Fourteen Johnson & Johnson volunteer employees and nine additional volunteers traveled to Muhuru Bay, Kenya at the end of March to implement sections of the "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals" Mosquito! curriculum with 180 high school-aged girls at the WISER School. The girls put their STEM skills to work in the study of one of the most pressing health issues facing their communities: malaria and its relation to mosquito biology. In preparation for the visit, WISER girls grew and evaluated mosquito larvae for weeks in order to have hands-on specimens for the workshop with J&J volunteers. With the help of a curriculum crafted by the Smithsonian Science Education Center, the J&J team led WISER students through a series of modules that let students learn about mosquito biology in a hands-on way. The volunteer group was led by Carrie Arndt, Sarah Jannsch, Shari Zarkoob, and Dierdre O'Flynn. SSEC's Katherine Blanchard, Andre Radloff, and Fernando Gouveia helped prepare the Mosquito! content for the two-week volunteer visit.

April 26, 2019

St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic School–a Blue Ribbon School in Palatine, Illinois–serves students in grade preschool through 8th grade. This school boasts using the "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom" curriculum, along with cutting-edge technology and computer instruction. Because of her efforts to improve student learning and support teacher instruction, Principal Mary Brinkman was honored for her dedication to education at the 2019 NCEA Conference.

April 25, 2019

On Thursday June 27, 2019, the International Association for Continuing Engineering Education (IACEE) Global Sustainability Initiative SERINA (Sustainable Education and Research in Action) will host the "International Summit: Lifelong Learning for Sustainability and Impact" for a day of interactive conversations and activities. Speakers from Georgia Tech University, Stanford, Smithsonian, and Deakin University will discuss the future of work and education and its alignment to the UN Sustainability Development Goals.

April 12, 2019

Are you a K-12 educator or work with STEM education leaders who want to introduce culturally-relevant GreenSTEM (project-based Environmental Education) curriculum to your students? Do you want a low-resource K-12 free curriculum aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals that is easily adaptable to your region's diverse ecosystems, traditions, and issues? Well, one educator asked this very question and NAAEE member Michael Cruse of Arlington Public Schools recommended the "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals." Thank you, Michael!

April 5, 2019

Fourteen Santa Fe students have been participating in an after-school project supported by the Smithsonian Science Education Center about how the world’s population will access water in the face of climate change. According to numbers from the Intergovernmental Panel Report on Climate Change, between 40% and 50% of the world’s population will experience water stress by the year 2100. But the world is a big place and 2100 seems a long way off to 5th- and 6th-graders, so the ATLAS after-school program--Always Thinking Like a Scientist--focuses students on local impacts in the year 2040, when many of the project participants might have children of their own. Delara Sharma, the teacher leading Santa Fe ATLAS, and her teaching partner, scientist Dr. Joel Berendzen, hopes the modules she and her team are writing will form part of the "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals" community research guides for use worldwide.

March 29, 2019

Dr. Carol O’Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, was featured in an article in El Tiempo Latino called, “Las mujeres y el STEM.” Despite diversity initiatives, it remains more challenging for women to land and to keep jobs in STEM fields than it is for their male counterparts. On March 20, the Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and news site Axios, hosted a breakfast panel to discuss gender parity in STEM fields and the global and local implications of that gap. Dr. O'Donnell was one of the featured panelists. In response to the El Tiempo Latino article, a female pre-med student from George Washington University, where Dr. O’Donnell serves on the part-time faculty of the Physics Department, wrote, “I just wanted to say that I really appreciated what you had to say for students, like myself, who are looking into the sciences but are not quite sure if that is the path they want to take. I have been having so many doubts and I still am not sure what I want to do, but your words definitely meant a lot to me! I would love to hear more about what you do at the Smithsonian, and gain insight into what it is like being a woman in the STEM world.”

Read more at https://touch.npaper-wehaa.com/el-tiempo-latino/read/?pid=32168

March 20, 2019

KIMT TV reported on the need for STEM education, and cited facts on STEM jobs as reported by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Over 140 students at Gibbs Elementary School in Rochester, MN designed and built bridges to demonstrate their science, technology, engineering, and math skills. The program was led by the Minnesota Department of Transportation's (MNDOT's) District Water Resource Engineers.

March 19, 2019

For more than a decade, INEOS has been participating in the TuWaS! Program in Cologne with 34 primary and secondary schools in the area. TuWAS, which is used in 5 states across Germany, including Cologne, is based on the concept of inquiry-based science education. As part of the program, supported schools receive educational materials and teacher training developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. The program lasts between six and eight weeks. Schools can choose from 12 different STEM topics, such as Butterfly Life Cycle, Electrical Circuits, or Chemical Tests.

Learn more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNccHNfZpnI

October 12, 20024

A lot of things have changed since 2018. The Cologne/Bonn program grew, and INEOS funded about 55 schools in this region two years ago. Unfortunately INEOS had financial problems due to the energy crisis in 2023 and quit funding the TuWaS! schools in the region. They said that they will return when their business grows again. The TuWaS! Cologne/Bonn team managed to find new sponsors so that not a single school had to quit the program. The program even grew a little in 2024 adding 5 new schools.

The Smithsonian Science Education Center is proud of its long-term relationship with TuWaS! in Germany, which, through Carolina Biological Supply Company, supports teachers by providing curriculum materials from the Smithsonian Science Education Center and teacher training to classrooms grades 1 to 6 in five federal states:

TuWaS! Berlin run by the Ministry of Education of Berlin -over 190 schools
TuWaS! Cologne/Bonn/Rhineland/Dusseldorf run by the Chambers of Commerce and local industry and other local companies - over 220 schools
TuWaS! Brandenburg run by the Ministry of Education of Brandenburg - 14 schools
TuWaS! Hamburg run by the Teacher Training Institute of Hamburg - 12 schools
TuWaS! Saarland run by the University of Saarland - 8 schools
444 schools total 

The aim is to provide students with inquiry to inspire STEM, to promote teamwork and language skills, and to playfully familiarize students with the methods of working together. Thanks to the support of many companies and foundations, schools can participate in the program for free. 

March 18, 2019

Watch Facebook Live archived video here: https://www.facebook.com/astronauta.marcospontes/videos/4816...

March 18, 2019

Why is it so important that schools make STEM courses accessible to all students? Citing statistics from the Smithsonian Science Education Center, ABC's News WPDE in Horry County, SC describes how important STEM education is to fulfilling the STEM jobs of the future.

March 15, 2019

The impending move of technology giant Amazon to the DC region is slated to bring 25,000 new STEM jobs to the DC region. With this move, the lens has focused on gender disparity in STEM fields. Despite diversity initiatives, it remains more challenging for women to land and to keep jobs in STEM fields — including professional positions at major tech companies like Amazon — than it is for their male counterparts. On March 20, the Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and news site Axios, will host a breakfast panel to discuss gender parity in STEM fields and the global and local implications of that gap. Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, will be one of the featured panelists.

March 10, 2019

SSEC Director, Dr. Carol O’Donnell, traveled to Salzburg, Austria as a Fellow for the Salzburg Global Seminar on “Social and Emotion Learning (SEL) – A Time for Action,” which took place March 10 – 15, at Schloss Leopoldskron. The program built on insights from the series of regional and global workshops organized by Salzburg Global and partners in order to advance solutions to the key challenges that hinder the implementation of SEL programs in education systems around the world. O’Donnell was invited to the seminar after her article, “Science Education, Identity, and Civic Engagement: Empowering Youth through the UN Sustainable Development Goals," was featured in the "G7: The Executive Talk Series Global Briefing Report" for the 44th G7 Summit. SEL is one of the hottest topics in global education today. Evidence shows that SEL can help young people acquire the skills to thrive in the fourth industrial revolution and shape new jobs and career pathways. SEL skills can also help communities and populations grapple with complex socio-scientific issues and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is the focus of the SSEC’s “Smithsonian Science for Global Goals” project.

February 22, 2019

Are you interested in introducing weather to your class? Follow the podcast from #dcsdtransforms! which highlighted SSEC's "Weather Lab". This weather webtool helps students learn how different weather patterns interact with one another and the conditions they create for us on the ground. You can find "Weather Lab" at: https://ssec.si.edu/weather-lab.

February 19, 2019

WOOD TV of Grand Rapids, Michigan hosts an episode called "Fall in Love with STEM," which interviews Dr. Lauren Woolsey, astrophysicist from Harvard University who is now a professor at Grand Rapids Community College. Dr. Woolsey discusses STEM job, ways to prepare our students for the STEM Workforce, how to help students engage with role models in the STEM field, and activities in STEM experiences that will spark students' interest in STEM. The host cites statistics from the Smithsonian Science Education Center on STEM jobs and discusses why it is so important to promote girls and women in STEM.

February 8, 2019

The Las Cruces Sun News, which is part of USA Today’s Network, highlighted SSEC for its involvement in the Women in STEM2D (WiSTEM2D) Initiative, which is supported by Johnson & Johnson. Only two percent of music producers and three percent of engineers and mixers across popular music are women. As a result, the Recording Academy’s Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion announced the launch of an unprecedented new initiative which aims to expand opportunities for female music producers and engineers. It’s called the “Producer & Engineer Inclusion Initiative,” and it is part of a much larger strategy to address gender inequity in the music engineering industry.

February 7, 2019 

This article by FHI360 highlights the efforts of Johnson & Johnson, who is working with FHI 360, the Smithsonian Science Education Center and JA Worldwide to address the gender gap in the STEM workplace. The Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing and Design (WiSTEM2D) project hopes to inspire and advance STEM education for one million girls between the ages of five and 18 by 2020. WiSTEM2D strives to cultivate interest in these areas from an early age, supporting a robust STEM2D education and positioning young women for careers in these fields. The article tells the story of a young woman who was inspired to enter the STEM field.

January 13, 2019

Now in a fully updated seventh edition, The Teaching of Science in Primary Schools provides essential information for students, trainee, and practicing teachers about the why, what and how of teaching primary science. Paying particular attention to inquiry-based teaching and learning, the book recognizes the challenges of teaching science, and provides suggestions and examples aimed to increase teachers’ confidence and pupils‘ enjoyment of the subject. Giving the latest information about the rationale for and use of inquiry-based, constructivist methodology, and the use of assessment to help learning, the book highlights the results of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's LASER i3 results as evidence of the efficacy of inquiry-based science teaching.

Read more at https://books.google.com/books?id=rHxTDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT161&lpg=...

January 13, 2019

The research and debates surrounding curriculum, pedagogy and assessment are ever-growing and are of constant importance around the globe. With two volumes - containing chapters from highly respected researchers, whose work has been critical to understanding and building expertise in the field – The SAGE Handbook of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment focuses on examining how curriculum is treated and developed, and its impact on pedagogy and assessment worldwide. The Handbook highlights the Smithsonian Science Education Center (formerly the National Science Resources Center) as one example of academies of sciences around the world are working with science educators to initiate inquiry-based science education programs in a number of countries.

Read more at https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=tTxDCgAAQBAJ&...

January 10, 2019

Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, will join a list of renowned STEM leader speakers at the Scientista Foundation's annual Scientista Symposium (#SciSymp) in Boston, MA on March 29-31, 2019 as part of the Smithsonian's public outreach efforts. This three-day conference advances the careers of young women in STEM by providing opportunities for networking, mentorship and professional development. Undergraduate and graduate women in STEM will gather at the Scientista Symposium to hear from inspirational leaders from across STEM disciplines, hone their own leadership skills through interactive workshops, network with speakers such as Carol and recruiters from across the nation, and present their research in order to compete for scholarships. 

January 7, 2019

Alicia Carroll, M.S.Ed. is the Director of Science, Technology and Engineering at the East Boston Early Education Center in Massachusetts. You can find her in the school makerspace integrating STEAM activities into the BPS science curriculum. Here, first graders engage with the Smithsonian Science STC Unit entitled “Liquids and Solids” to expand their awareness of the properties of solids and liquids. According to Alicia, "They discover that some properties of solids, such as size, color, and shape, are readily identifiable and observe properties unique to liquids that include viscosity and drop shape.  Students also discover other properties of solids and liquids – such as magnetic attraction and ability to sink or float, which must be determined on the basis of scientific tests that often involve the use of science tools."

December 22, 2018

Talent Forward highlighted the Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D initiative, in which Johnson & Johnson is working to meet girls where they are across the country with the help of critical collaborators FHI 360, Junior Achievement Worldwide, and Smithsonian Science Education Center. Johnson & Johnson and their non-profit collaborators are providing access, exposure, and resources to science, innovation, and technology for female students through creative problem-solving and play delivered by an army of employee volunteers in collaboration with STEM educators.

December 17, 2018

The Smithsonian Science Education Center released "Tami’s Tower’s: Let's Think About Engineering", a freely available digital resource for students ages 4 - 7, which combines animated Smithsonian animals such as the golden lion tamarin (an endangered species whose population the Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute is helping to recover through its intensive conservation efforts); bewildering building-block engineering design challenges; and research-based metacognitive prompts that can help your youngest learners think about their own thinking as they design solutions to STEM problems. "Tami’s Tower: Let’s Think About Engineering" was funded by the Smithsonian's Associate Provost for Education and Access (APEA) Youth Access Grant (YAG) program.

December 15, 2018

At the invitation of SSEC Advisory Board Member Edward Swallow, Dr. Carol O'Donnell gave a talk on the "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals" program at the "Pumps & Pipes: Innovation Through Collaboration" event at Houston Methodist Research Institute December 3, 2018. Founded in 2007, "Pumps & Pipes"--a TED-style event--provides the network bridge between medicine, aerospace, energy, and academia. Based in Houston with international affiliates across the globe,  the goal of "Pumps & Pipes" is to identify solutions to the world's most pressing issues by seeking innovation through collaboration, with science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) as its core. 

December 10, 2018 

The new CoSTEM 5-year Strategic Plan was released at the White House on Tuesday December 4th, "Charting a Course for Success: America's Strategy for STEM Education." Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC)--and a member of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) SubCommittee on Federal Coordination in STEM Education (FC-STEM)--was one of many cross-agency authors of the plan. Smithsonian Secretary Skorton, who sits on the NSTC Committee on STEM (CoSTEM), was one of the speakers at the White House event which released the report. To learn more about how the Smithsonian Science Education Center is addressing the goals of the report, go to: https://ssec.si.edu/stemvisions-blog/charting-course-success...

December 7, 2018

Georgia Tech University hosted a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded summit focused on the development of affordable, sustainable, and scalable educational environments, or Scalable Advanced Learning Ecosystems (SALE). This summit brought academic and industry leaders from across the globe together in the hope of laying the foundation for the next generation of learning ecosystems. Summit attendees explored innovative pedagogical and technology-driven educational solutions, including the "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals" curriculum, presented by SCLDA Director Stephanie Norby and SSEC's Dr. Brian Mandell, Division Director for Curriculum & Communications.

December 1, 2018

The Smithsonian Science Education Center is proud of its long-term relationship with TuWas—Cologne / Bonn, Germany, which supports teachers by providing curriculum materials from the Smithsonian Science Education Center and teacher training to classrooms grades 1 to 6 in over 130 schools in the region. The aim is to provide students with inquiry to inspire STEM, to promote teamwork and language skills, and to playfully familiarize students with the methods of working together. Thanks to the support of many companies and foundations, schools can participate in the program for free.

November 28, 2018

Dr. Amy D'Amico, Division Director of Professional Services and Kat Fancher, Program Specialist at the Smithsonian Science Education Center, led breakout workshop sessions on using models to to explain phenomena in the natural world. The inaugural workshop, Setting the Scene: Innovations in the NY Science Standards was held on November 6 in Harlem’s Isaac Newton Middle School for Math and Science. The focus of the workshop, presented in partnership with Touro’s Graduate School of Education (GSE), was to improve science education leadership, educate teachers about new techniques to use in their classrooms, and to spotlight the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) adopted by New York in 2016.

November 20, 2018

A recent Market Brief from Ed Week showed that project-based learning is district leaders’ biggest STEM need, followed closely by coding. That’s according to an online survey that the Education Week Research Center conducted for EdWeek Market Brief in May 2018 and published in November. More than 500 district-level administrators responded. More than 1 in 3 (36 percent) of those leaders say that project-based learning is a big STEM need. Project-based learning often goes hand-in-hand with the Next Generation Science Standards, which have been adopted by 19 states plus the District of Columbia. Dr. Carol O’Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, is quoted in the article, telling Education Week that the standards encourage “authentic” learning experiences in which students learn about STEM-related topics in an interdisciplinary, hands-on environment.

November 19, 2018 

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) has announced the release of Smithsonian Science for Makerspaces, a series of free online engineering design challenges for students to engage with emerging technologies through hands-on learning. Inspired by Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, these activities bridge formal science education and the exciting makerspace movement by helping educators and teachers engage with digital and physical technologies within the context of science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) by asking them to make something new.

November 15, 2018

The Smithsonian Science Education Center ("SSEC") was prominently highlighted in the Smithsonian Regents "Research Highlights" for October 2018 for its efforts to empower the next generation of decision makers to make choices about the complex socio-scientific issues facing human society. "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals" is a new freely available curriculum developed by SSEC in partnership with the InterAcademy Partnership — more than 130 national and regional member academies working together to support the special role of science and its efforts to seek solutions to address the world's most challenging problems. It uses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a framework to focus on sustainable actions that are student-defined and implemented. Scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (“STRI”) and educators from SSEC came together to create a free educational module—Mosquito!—also available via the Smithsonian Learning Lab. The learning module addresses the problem of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Aimed at children between ages 8 and 18 and their teachers, the module provides free resources for use in classrooms and in a community context. With support from Panama’s National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation and Panama’s Ministry of Education, as well as financial support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and Johnson & Johnson, STRI and SSEC brought together a group of change agents and more than 50 teachers to test the content of the module, interacting with scientists using innovative teaching methods.

November 13, 2018

In 2018, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, joined a panel of female STEM leaders, including Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young of the US Department of Agriculture, and Dr. Patricia Falcone of the Livermore Lab. During the panel, which was moderated by State Department Assistant Secretary Jonathan Margolis, panelists gave valuable advice to participants of the 2nd Annual#HiddenNoMore exchange program. Learn how 49 women in STEM from 49 different countries came together through a State Department exchange program to advocate for gender equality and build a global network supporting women and girls in STEM. Inspired by the film Hidden Figures, the Hidden No More exchange program is part of the International Visitor Leadership Program through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. To learn more about some of the international women leaders in STEM, go to: https://eca.state.gov/video/hidden-no-more-empowering-international-women-leaders-stem 

November 12, 2018

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) released ‘Mosquito! How Can We Ensure Health for All From Mosquito-borne Diseases?’ – an inquiry-based science education (IBSE) module developed in partnership with the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) and part of a larger vision of ‘Smithsonian Science for Global Goals’. The modules have just been announced as recipients of the 2018 Smithsonian Education Award for Achievement and Innovation, which recognize creativity and excellence in educational programming, exhibitions, publications and digital media.

November 8, 2018

November 8, 2018 was National STEM Day. To address the issues of diversity in STEM, BizWomen, one of The Business Journals, discussed a growing number of companies and organizations who are working to prepare younger generations for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. The article also addressed why women and minorities continue to be underrepresented in the STEM workforce. This article highlights initiatives like the Verizon Innovative Learning, which puts technology in the hands of students who need it, and the Smithsonian Science Education Center, who is working to transform science education in schools, both of which aim to better prepare younger generations--both girls and boys--for STEM-focused futures.

November 7, 2018

For nearly three decades, the the World Affairs Council of America (WACA) has brought together leaders and members to engage with top government officials, diplomats, business executives, innovators, journalists, educators, and students on the most pressing global issues and policy choices that impact our lives. At the 2018 convening of World Affairs Councils across the nation, SSEC Director, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, will discuss with attendees how the Smithsonian Science Education Center is creating opportunities for learning that transcend geographic boundaries. See: https://www.wacaconference2018.org/wednesday-agenda.

November 7, 2018

STEAM education encourages students to be curious and experiment as lifelong learners. Inquiry-based learning naturally fits with STEAM since it promotes critical thinking and innovation. This article cites the work of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) as it explores the research behind inquiry-based STEAM teaching and some of the strategies used to engage students.

November 4, 2018

The Gillett School District in Wisconsin will improve its science program, thanks to the Leon H. & Clymene M. Bond Foundation in Oconto. The foundation has awarded a $12,000 grant to the Einstein Project, a Green Bay organization that provides hands-on materials and curriculum to promote quality learning in science, technology, engineering, math – known as STEM. Under the direction of Kelli Ellis, the Einstein Project, which recently adopted the Smithsonian Science Education Center's curriculum, will partner with Gillett Elementary, which will transition its existing science curriculum to align with the requirements of the Wisconsin Standards for Science Education. In addition to curriculum and materials, the grant will provide specialized professional development for the classroom teachers as they shift instructional practices to better prepare students to be innovative problem solvers and critical thinkers.

October 31, 2018

The Oconoto Times Herald in Wisconsin reported that the Gillett Schools piloted the new "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom" elementary STEM curriculum, which aligns with WI State Science Standards. Led by the efforts of Kelly Ellis, executive director of the Einstein Project, said the group is proud to partner with the Gillett School District and the Leon H. and Clymene M. Bond Foundation, who provided the funds for the implementation.

Photo: Gillett Public Schools
 

October 30, 2018

Several Smithsonian representatives from the Provost's Office, Office of International Affairs, and the Smithsonian Science Education Center were invited to participate in a US State Department Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) between Thailand and the United States. The Thai-US Scientific and Technical Cooperation framework provides guidelines for cooperation in science and technology between the Kingdom of Thailand and the United States Government. The agreement covers research and development projects; cooperation centers; joint research studies; conferences and seminars; and STEM education, including training programs for scientists, researchers and experts. 

October 26, 2018

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is proud to be one of 9 leads within the Smithsonian Institution (SI) to join the Conservation Commons, an action network highlighting the relevance of science and innovative interdisciplinary approaches across science and culture to on-the-ground conservation worldwide. The Commons scales up the reach and impact of the wealth of scientific information regarding conservation produced and managed by its 9 research centers, 19 museums, 5 education centers, and the National Zoo. By taking advantage of SI’s ability to transform complex scientific research into powerful communication tools, the Commons is rapidly becoming a unique platform for public education and awareness.

October 26, 2018

The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Global Education program hosted its first annual professional development conference, GlobalEdCon 2018. With equity at the forefront of its mission, DCPS works to ensure that global education, defined as an interdisciplinary approach to learning the content, concepts and 21st century skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly interconnected and culturally diverse world, is accessible to ALL students, not just a privileged few. To that aim, SSEC presented a 90-minute inferno (workshop) to introduce local DCPS teachers to the SSEC's free "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals" program. Other SI units included SCLDA and SERC.

October 21, 2018

The second annual STEM innovation Summit, hosted by the Einstein Project, sponsored in-part by Carolina Biological, is taking place at UW-Green Bay’s Weidner Center on Thursday, November 8th from 8am to 4pm. 

The day is scheduled with inspiring, informational and conversational presentations with featured speakers and panel discussions; followed by audience question/answer period.  Guest speakers include, Dr. Amy D’Amico, lead of the STEM Diversity Initiative at the Smithsonian Science Education Center, along with Michelle Schuler, Manager Tech-Spark Wisconsin, and Adrienne Hartman, President Women In Technology, who will be talking about computer science career pathways.  Kevin Anderson, Wisconsin’s State Science Coordinator from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, will be facilitating the panel discussions that address closing the achievement gap among diverse populations in STEM education and the critical nature of access for all students to high-quality STEM education – supporting a STEM-literate society and strong workforce.

This summit is not only an opportunity for education leaders to engage in promoting excellent K-12 STEM initiatives, but also a chance to network and learn about new opportunities. 

October 19, 2018

Carolina Biological Supply Company in collaboration with the Smithsonian Science Education Center developed a series of 17 short videos that describe some of the most important topics facing STEM teachers today. Video topics include: how SSEC is responding to the new standards; the importance of integrating print and digital into one STEM curriculum; how to bring scientists into the classroom through literacy and math; de-mystifying misconceptions; how to bundle standards; engineering design challenges; the importance of a cohesive storyline; and more. SSEC Division Director for Curriculum & Communications, Dr. Brian Mandell, also discusses how SSEC is bringing the power of the Smithsonian into classrooms through its new "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom" curriculum.

October 19, 2018 

October 18, 2018 

The Touro College and University System is collaborating with the Smithsonian Science Education Center to develop programs for science educators. The inaugural workshop presented by Touro’s Graduate School of Education (GSE) and the Smithsonian Science Education Center will cultivate science education leadership and spotlight innovations in STEM. Hosted by the Issac Newton Middle School for Math and Science on November 6 in NYC, the conference offers participants an opportunity to engage in multiple hands-on sessions focusing on the use of modeling as an explanation and argumentation to elicit ideas. Upon successful completion of the workshop, STEM middle school teachers and administrators will earn New York State Continuing Teacher and Leadership Education (CTLE) professional development credits. Touro will also collaborate with the SSEC on joint research projects and internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, developed to enhance science instruction by educating teachers and administrators working for the New York City Department of Education.

October 18, 2018

SSEC intern, Aristotle Economon, worked with his SSEC mentors Katherine Blanchard and Andre Radloff to produce an academic poster on the "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals" project. This poster was published for Ari's University of Houston (UH) capstone under the direction of Dr. Alison Leland and Dr. Mary Ann Ottinger, who organized the UH Smithsonian Internship Program.

October 12, 2018

In September 2018, Lake Jackson, Texas, was home to a two-day Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education forum as part of a years’ worth of enrichment activities designed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) in collaboration with Jacobs Engineering and Dow Chemical Company. The forum followed a six-day, professional development experience, the Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers (SSEATs), part of the Smithsonian Institution, that brought 38 educators from eight states (10 of which were from Texas) together in Washington, D.C. to advance their STEM teaching practices. This collaboration between Jacobs Engineering, Dow, and the Smithsonian Science Education Center deepens and expands the reach and impact in classrooms and helps inspire the next generation of innovators to help deliver the promise of a more connected, sustainable world.

October 12, 2018

Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), was invited to give a talk at Aarhus University in Aarhus, Denmark to discuss SSEC's "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals" project, which incorporates the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into an educational and citizen science setting. Carol discussed how SSEC is translating a seemingly huge goal—the SDG's—into actionable pieces of knowledge to which youth ages 8-17 can contribute. According to O'Donnell, "Creating a global learning experience that is locally relevant by combining STEM activities with civic responsibility is essential to make the world a better place." Aarhus University is home to "ScienceAtHome" directed by Professor Jacob Sherson, whose latest project, called "ReGAME," incorporates Citizen Science games with learning tracks to support core curriculum studies within schools. Aarhus University hopes to collaborate with the Smithsonian Science Education Center in the future by incorporating its Citizen Science games into the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals Community Research Guides.

October 9, 2018 

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) and Public Consulting Group (PCG), a leading national provider of web-based tools for educators, have partnered to provide online and blended professional learning to support teachers and students in science education. This marks the SSEC’s first partnership with a private company to develop online professional development programs.

September 30, 2018

The "International Dialogue on STEM" (IDoS) will bring together in Berlin, Germany 14 international experts from across the globe to discuss early STEM education, education for sustainable development, and digital learning opportunities in education. As a follow up to the 2107 IDoS conference—which addressed the question "What skills and abilities do children need for a worthwhile future, and what contribution can we make?"—the Programme Committee of experts will exchange views on future-oriented early childhood and primary education (students ages 3-10) in the domains of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and on an extended concept of sustainable education. The Programme Committee was established by the “Haus der kleinen Forscher” Foundation and Siemens Stiftung, and will meet for the first time on 15 and 16 October 2018.

September 25, 2018

Dr. Amy D’Amico, Division Director for Professional Services at SSEC, and her team came to Lake Jackson, Texas to educate local teachers about how to incorporate science and engineering concepts into their everyday curriculum. The event was a collaboration between the Smithsonian, the Dow Chemical Company, and Jacobs Engineering Group. According to April Steelman, the STEM and Solutions Manager for Dow Texas Operations, the goal of the event was to give K-12 teachers a foundation in engineering principles that they can integrate into their classrooms. For years, Dow and its corporate partners have selected and sponsored teachers to travel to summer academies (called "SSEATs") at the Smithsonian Science Education Center in Washington, D.C.; and, more recently, they also brought the Smithsonian to local teachers. The first local event took place in Louisiana in 2017, followed by the 2018 event in Lake Jackson, TX. Teachers at the event also had the chance to connect with industry ambassadors from Dow and Jacobs to extend the program’s reach as educators head back to their classrooms.

September 24, 2018

The "SDGs In Action Forum" is an annual high-level event that brings together leaders from the private sector, United Nations (UN) Member States, UN agencies, and international organizations so that they can leverage their experience, access to market, and resources towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The private sector is well-positioned to bring sustainable long-term solutions to achieving the SDGs by the 2030 target. Likewise, the SDGs present significant opportunities for the private sector to open up new markets and attract new private investments in sustainable development. As one of 9 invitational speakers, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, will present on SSEC's "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals" project, which uses the UN SDGs as an instructional framework to help youth ages 8-17 focus on sustainable actions that are student-defined and implemented.

September 15, 2018

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) Annual Meeting will be held December 10-14, 2018 in Washington DC. Andre Radloff, lead curriculum developer for the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project, will discuss his recent publication called "Mosquito! How do we ensure health for all from mosquito-borne disease?" during a panel called "Mosquito! Using NASA Citizen Science to bring Global Goals to Local Learning and Action" (453137). Andre will be joined by lead presenter, Theresa G Schwerin and Russanne Low from the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies in Arlington, VA. This panel is part of a session designed to make connections with NASA science activation, collaboration, and learning initiatives. By fostering communication and collaboration across the STEM learning ecosystem, NASA seeks to share new ideas and methodologies and together with collaborators such as the Smithsonian, advance STEM learning and literacy for all learners.

September 6, 2018

The News-Democrat did a story on Carroll County High School science teacher Mr. Eric Tharp, who was one of 38 teachers from eight states to participate in the 2018 Dow-Jacobs Smithsonian Teacher Scholar Program, a collaboration between The Dow Chemical Company, Jacobs Engineering and the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Mr. Tharp traveled to Washington, D.C., for the six-day Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers. Since 2007, Dow has supported more than 310 teachers through its partnership with the Smithsonian Science Education Center, part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, according to a news release. This year’s involvement of Dow’s strategic business partner Jacobs Engineering allows employees from both companies to contribute to the teachers’ growth experience.

September 5, 2018

Given the rapid growth of technology, Coding Dojo authored an article on the "7 Coding Tips for Parents" and cites facts from the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Coding Dojo is the first school in the world to teach three full stacks of software development in 14 weeks: an ability only acquirable through years of refinement and only enabled by a staff of seasoned web developers through decades of programming experience.

September 5, 2018

Big Deal Media highlighted Smithsonian Science for Global Goals as a free resource for educators that creates inquiry-based learning experiences that focus on sustainability. Big Deal Media identifies top-quality resources and open-educational resources (OERs) for schools and K-12 classrooms. It is a content-rich collection of trusted print and electronic publications that offer the information and tools K-12 educators need-all vetted through the prism of the curriculum. It delivers lists of resources and funding opportunities, and has done so since 1995. It has more than 50 educational organizations as distribution partners.

Read more at https://www.bigdealbook.com/newsletters/k-12_technology/?sho...

September 3, 2018

A blog post authored by Catapult X reports on its STEM focus group findings, which can be downloaded here, and then circulated the findings to a few colleagues in science and STEM education. In the blog, it cites Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, who suggested that Catapult X add a definition of STEM education as opposed to just STEM and she shared with the author a definition from Carnegie Mellon University. Read the STEM Report blog to learn more.

August 26, 2018

Under the leadership of Dato Lee Cheong, Chair of InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) Science Education Programme (SEP) Global Council, SSEC Director, Dr. Carol O’Donnell, and colleagues from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), attended the “Exclusive Forum on Promoting Science Literacy through the National Museums of ASEAN Countries” in Nonthaburi, Thailand. During O’Donnell’s presentation, she addressed the role of museums in promoting science literacy onsite, in communities, in schools, and online. O’Donnell shared with attendees, information on the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project, which uses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to encourage youth ages 8-17 to engage in sustainable actions that are student-defined and implemented.

August 21, 2018

In this article, Melissa Rogers, science curriculum developer for the Smithsonian Science Education Center, talks about the 180th anniversary of the birth of Ferdinand Adolf Heinrich August Graf von Zeppelin. Zeppelin was an engineer whose self-named company made the first successful rigid airship. The path from his inspiration during a balloon trip in Minnesota in 1863 and the successful flight of Zeppelin LZ1 in 1900 is a great example of the engineering design process in action.

August 12, 2018

After classroom piloting by 31 teachers during recent months, ESD 105 will be offering five new engineering-based science instructional kits for 1st-5th grade classes through their Science Co-op starting this fall 2018. Science teachers will be able to implement some or all of the new units for 2018-2019, or can wait until 2019-2020. The new curriculum modules are from the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom" curriculum and include titles such as, "How Can We Send a Message Using Sound?” (for 1st grade, which will replace the STC Weather unit), "How Can We Keep Soil from Washing Away?” (for 2nd grade, which will replace the STC Soils unit), and "How Can We Protect Animals When Their Habitat Changes? (for 3rd grade, which will replace the STC Rocks & Minerals unit).

August 10, 2018

Politico discusses the history of the Smithsonian and the role of President Polk, who inaugurated the Smithsonian complex on August 10th, 1846. Politico mentions the Smithsonian Science Education Center as one of the Smithsonian’s many organizations, including its 19 museums, 9 research centers, 5 education centers, 21 libraries, 3 cultural centers, and a zoo. After a decade of often heated debate, Congress in 1846 on August 10th passed the Smithsonian Institution Act. It was signed into law by President James K. Polk. An independent federal trust, the Smithsonian has become the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, and the Smithsonian Science Education Center is proud to be a part of it all.

August 9, 2018

North Central Educational Service District (NCESD) Managing Director of Science Education Mechelle LaLanne has recently returned from a week-long training at the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s Strategic Planning Institute in Washington D.C. LaLanne attended as an invited observer, with the intent to return to NCESD districts with the presented LASER model. During the July 23-27 training, she was also asked to help answer questions about the next Smithsonian Science for the Classroom curriculum modules, which are being implemented by the NCESD STEM Materials Center. Two additional teams from Washington and four from Mexico also attended. The SSEC’s Science Education Institute for Leadership Development and Strategic Planning convenes leadership teams comprised of state-level leaders, district and school administrators, teachers, and community partners. Teams represent key stakeholders that are integral to the success of a new science education program.

August 8, 2018

The Smithsonian Science Education Center's game of global freshwater resources, Aquation: The Freshwater Access Game, has received four out of five possible stars in a review from Common Sense Media. In particular, the review praises the global-scale systems thinking, player self-reflection, and engrossing gameplay demonstrated in Aquation, which was also featured on Common Sense Media's lists of "Global Awareness Games," "Free Educational Games," and "Social Studies Games." Common Sense Media is the leading family-focused reviewer of games, apps, movies, TV shows, and other digital media. Aquation is a single-player digital-strategy game that enables students to study the science that guides the hydrosphere as it relates to the global availability of freshwater.

August 1, 2018

Lauraine Genota of Education Week interviewed Dr. Carol O'Donnell, director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, to get her opinion on a new project-based learning program called "Geospatial Semester" as a way of engaging high school students in authentic STEM experiences. The program originated at James Madison University (JMU) in Virginia, where faculty guide high school students through STEM project and award them college credit upon completion. According to Dr. Bob Kolvoord, Dean of the College of Integrated Science and Engineering at JMU, a student's project could be focused on something as hyperlocal as traffic on school grounds or as global as children's health around the world. The goal is for students to develop an understanding of spatial concepts and refine their critical thinking skills while using geographic information systems technology to solve problems within their community. NSF has awarded a $2 million grant to JMU, Northwestern University, and the Chicago public schools to implement the program in the 370,000-student school system, the nation's third-largest.

July 31, 2018

The research is clear. Over the course of summer break, children lose skills and knowledge they worked hard to develop during the school year, a phenomenon known as "summer learning loss." According to Talia Milgrom-Elcott, founder and executive director of 100kin10, the Brookings Institution found that on average, students’ achievement scores decline over summer vacation by one month’s worth of school-year learning. And this loss is even more acute for math-based knowledge than for reading skills. This means that knowledge and skills acquired in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are even more susceptible to summer-brain-sieve effect. Read Talia's article published in Forbes offering fun academic STEM activities that families can do at home with their children to address the "summer learning loss," including activities she highlighted from the Smithsonian Science Education Center.

July 30, 2018

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) as invited by the Smithsonian Science Education Center to share cutting-edge research with the Smithsonian Science Education Academy for Teachers 2018 summer cohort at the National Museum of Natural History, July 11. NRL's Matthew Yates, who holds a doctorate in Environmental Engineering, gave an educational lecture to 17 hand-selected teachers on how to create and demonstrate microbial fuel cells to their students.

Read more at http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=106505

July 26, 2018

The InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) Science Education Programme (SEP) in collaboration with the Smithsonian Science Education Center released its first curriculum module, "Mosquito!," which focuses on educating youth about ways to mitigate mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika. IAP SEP believes that educational experiences such as the one promoted by "Mosquito!" seek to empower communities around the world to work proactively thus making these communities healthier and more sustainable places to live. According to this IAP press release, "Only by creating educational experiences where young people work together around a problem to develop solutions for their local community, can we begin to weave together the sustainability goals."

July 26, 2018

Educators from across the US and Mexico toured The George Washington University's "Science and Engineering Hall" as part of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's annual International Strategic Planning Institute (SPI) to better understand the role of STEM education in workforce development. District teams toured the Biology Department greenhouse, aquatic suite, and rooftop garden. Educators from around the world used this week to begin building a strategic plan to support inquiry-based Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education in their school or district. Funding for this year's SPI was provided by Johnson & Johnson, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and Carolina Biological.

July 26, 2018

Shell Science Lab Regional challenge provides teachers in elementary, middle and high school to apply to win $10,000 worth of materials and professional development. Teachers apply through NSTA where applications are judged by a panel of professionals. The materials are provided through Carolina Biological Supply Company and include one curriculum module for elementary and middle school teachers. Professional development on the module was provided by Amy D'Amico, Division Director of Professional Services, at the NSTA STEM Forum.

July 21, 2018

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE's) Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO) joined forces with the Smithsonian Science Education Center to increase understanding of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies among a group of 30 K–12 science teachers attending the Center’s week-long, science-focused course in Washington, D.C. FCTO’s participation included an opportunity for teachers to ride in one the world’s first commercial fuel cell cars as well as a presentation highlighting how hydrogen and fuel cell technologies work, how they are being used today, and how they fit into the national energy economy.

July 18, 2018 

In an economy that is ever more reliant on engineering and technical expertise to produce energy and protect our environment, investing in Colorado STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) initiatives is vital for Colorado’s future. Noble Energy’s culture of service extends to bettering communities by empowering the next generation of leaders with the tools they need to succeed. To fulfill this goal, Noble Energy has committed to several multi-year partnerships with organizations like the Smithsonian Science Education Center that promote workforce development and education in Colorado.

July 17, 2018

California science classes are about to get a surge of new resources to support an energetic, student-driven, hands-on, and phenomena-based vision of the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS). The state is reviewing new science instructional materials for the first time in 12 years to help science teachers succeed in teaching students the latest standards. The Calif. Department of Education (CDE) accepted submissions for science material adoption for grades K-8 this spring and will make recommendations for materials adoptions this month for formal adoption in the fall. This press release discusses new high-quality materials that address forward-thinking standards, requiring phenomena-driven three-dimensional learning relevant to students’ lives.

July 17, 2018 

The Panama News shared with the public a recent event in Panama hosted by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) and Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), which focused on transforming science education in Panama and Malawi. SSEC experts Katherine Blanchard and Andre Radloff lead the event, along with Linette Duarte from STRI. The back-to-back events aimed to build public understanding of mosquito-borne diseases and provide teachers with curriculum support so they can educate youth on this important socio-scientific topic.

July 17, 2018 

Almost 20 expert science publishers, including leading school science supplier Carolina Biological Supply Company working together with expert curriculum developers from the Smithsonian Science Education Center, have submitted materials to California's Curriculum Adoption. 

July 16, 2018 

Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is pleased to add SSEC Advisory Board Member Terry Mazany to its leadership team as Senior Vice President for Philanthropy.  Mazany most recently led the Chicago Community Trust, one of the nation’s top 10 community foundations, doubling its assets to more than $2.8 billion and increasing annual grantmaking to over $300 million. Mazany will guide the Foundation’s philanthropy team, partnering with the Foundation’s 1,000+ donors who are dedicated to making the Atlanta region stronger. Mazany's service on boards includes the Independent Sector, the National Assessment of Governing Board (which oversees the National Assessment for Educational Progress, also known as the Nation’s Report Card), and the Smithsonian Science Education Center Advisory Board.

July 16, 2018 

With organizational support from Panama’s National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation and Panama’s Ministry of Education, as well as financial support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and Johnson & Johnson, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) and the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) brought together a group of change agents and more than 50 teachers to try out the SSEC's newly launched "Mosquito!" module from its "Smithsonian Science for Global Goals" curriculum. Teachers and education stakeholders from Panama and Malawi, Africa had a chance to interact with scientists using innovative teaching methods.

July 16, 2018

Hahnville High School teacher Tyler Dufrene was selected to participate in the Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers (SSEAT) "Biodiversity"--a week-long, all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where he participated in museum tours, lectures, field trips and inquiry-based hands-on activities, along with opportunities to go behind-the-scenes of the Smithsonian. Teachers were chosen based on whether or not they exemplify the characteristics of a teacher scholar and if they serve as a role model in the school and community. Dufrene also won an NSTA and Shell award, which partnered to offer one school from each grade band (elementary, middle, and high school) in each of Shell’s 12 assets a grant to renovate lab facilities and purchase new equipment.

July 13, 2018

The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program highlighted SSEC's new "Mosquito!" curriculum through its "GLOBE Observer" website. GLOBE is an international science and education program that provides students and the public worldwide with the opportunity to participate in data collection and the scientific process, and contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the Earth system and global environment.  Announced by the U.S. Government on Earth Day in 1994, GLOBE launched its worldwide implementation in 1995. GLOBE is sponsored by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Department of State. Internationally, GLOBE is implemented through government-to-government agreements with each country partner responsible for in-country activities. GLOBE Observer is part of GLOBE and is an international network of citizen scientists and scientists working together to learn more about our shared environment and changing climate. 

July 11, 2018

India Cultural Center of Greenwich ("ICC"), a non-profit organization with a mission to promote Indian culture and arts in the Lower Fairfield and Westchester areas, cites SSEC in its article promoting it ICC STEM Camp. Offered once other camps in the area end, ICC Camp provides a seamless transition for campers as they prepare for the upcoming school year.

July 11, 2018

A collaboration between The Dow Chemical Co., Jacobs Engineering, and the Smithsonian Science Education Center let 38 teachers from eight states take part in a world-class professional development experience that began this summer. As participants in the 2018 program, teachers traveled to Washington, D.C. for a six-day Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers (SSEAT) academy, followed by a year of enrichment activities tailored to expanding science, technology, engineering, and math excellence. After the program in Washington, participating teachers will meet in teams at their home locations throughout the school year. Dow and Jacobs will organize opportunities for the teachers to maintain their connection and receive additional support tailored to each community. Substantial support will come from Dow STEM Ambassadors, an organization of employee volunteers who share their passion for science through community outreach in dozens of Dow sites around the world. STEM Ambassadors will provide a rich variety of experiences including safety procedures, technical briefings, classroom demonstrations, and career talks.

July 5, 2018

Teachers from eight states will expand their ability to engage students through a year-long program, beginning with six-day experience this summer 2018 in Washington, D.C. A collaboration between The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), Jacobs Engineering, and the Smithsonian Science Education Center will enable 38 teachers from eight states to take part in a world-class professional development experience beginning this summer. As participants in the 2018 Dow-Jacobs Smithsonian Teacher Scholar Program, the teachers will travel to Washington, D.C. for the six-day Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers (SSEATs), followed by a year of enrichment activities tailored to expanding science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) excellence.

Read more at https://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=226155

July 2, 2018

The 2018 edition of The Teaching of Science in Primary Schools provides essential information for students, professional development providers, and practicing teachers about the why, what, and how of teaching primary science. Paying particular attention to inquiry-based teaching and learning, the book recognizes the challenges of teaching science, and provides suggestions and examples aimed to increase teachers’ confidence and students‘ enjoyment of the subject. The book, which cites LASER as evidence of the efficacy of inquiry-based science education, is written by Dr. Wynne Harlen, a member of the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) Science Education Program (SEP) Global Council. Dr. Harlen has been involved in teaching and research in science education, evaluation and pupil assessment throughout her long career, during which time she has been Sidney Jones Professor of Science Education at the University of Liverpool, UK and Director of the Scottish Council for Research in Education.

June 28, 2018

Common Sense Education, which provides high-quality digital literacy and citizenship programs to educators and school communities, selected SSEC's website as its "Site of the Week"--selected from the top edtech tools reviewed by Common Sense Education, which helps educators find the best edtech tools, learn best practices for teaching with tech, and equip students with the skills they need to use technology safely and responsibly.

June 28, 2018

On June 25 and 26, 2018, The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) hosted a first-of-its-kind State-Federal STEM Education Summit to highlight the Administration’s commitment to STEM Education by convening stakeholders to help inform the development of the upcoming Federal 5-Year STEM Education Strategic Plan (the Plan), which is required by the America COMPETES Act of 2010. OSTP joined the National Science Foundation and 16 other Federal agencies for this two-day event. Carol O'Donnell, Director of SSEC, served on the STEM Education Panel to discuss agency resources available to states to support STEM education. Jake Steel, a White House Fellow with the Domestic Policy Council, moderated the panel discussion, which also included NASA Associate Administrator for Education Mike Kincaid, NSF Acting Assistant Director for the Directorate for Education and Human Resources Jim Lewis, U.S. Department of Education Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education Jason Botel, and U.S. Department of Labor Special Assistant Bronte Wigen.

June 14, 2018 

SSEC served on an invited panel at the National Institute of Health's SciEd Conference 2018, called "Scaffolding STEM to Engage Young Learners, Parents, and Caregivers." STEM learning experiences in early childhood create a primary foundation for lifelong learning. In this session, the panelists explored research, resources and experiences that focus on scaffolding STEM for diverse learners. Guest presenters from the Smithsonian Science Education Center joined NIH principal investigators from the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, as well as physicians from the Children's National Health System and Purdue University, to present an overview of their pertinent STEM programs and experiences. 

June 14, 2018

The Smithsonian Science Education Center, in collaboration with the Public Consulting Group (PCG), has published its first in a series of online professional learning courses for science teachers, which focus on the "Science of Teaching Science." The first two online courses (SCIS401 and SCIS402) address conceptual change and the nature of science. To register for the courses, go to: https://www.pepperpd.com/

June 14, 2018

New science standards adopted by the Colorado State Board of Education calls on students to learn by puzzling through problems in the natural world rather than by listening to facts from a teacher. The new standards, largely based on Next Generation Science Standards already in use in whole or in part in 38 states, represent the most significant change to what Colorado students will be expected to know in this round of revisions to state standards. The article highlights schools already using many of these science and engineering practices, including schools using the Smithsonian's STC curriculum.

Students at Chamberlin Academy, an elementary school in the Harrison district, use STC's "Land and Water" unit to learn about erosion and deposition of soil.

June 13, 2018

Inspired and motivated by the universal call to action within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Smithsonian Institution, through the Smithsonian Science Education Center and with the technical support of the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) and the private sector, has made a collaborative commitment to work towards ensuring inclusive and equitable education programs and lifelong learning opportunities for all.  This online article discusses how the SSEC is developing a set of free curriculum modules for students ages 8-17 called Smithsonian Science for Global Goals, which blends together previous practices in Inquiry-Based Science Education (IBSE), Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), Global Citizenship Education (GCE), and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). We are trying to teach students across the globe the science behind the UN SDGs and then help them use that science to do social good.

June 13, 2018

The Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project provides new freely available community research guides for youth ages 8-17 developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center in collaboration with the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP). These research guides use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to focus on sustainable actions that are student-defined and implemented. In this article published by the Diplomatic Courier, Dr. Carol O’Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, outlines how the Smithsonian—in partnership with public and private partners, including IAP, US Federal Agencies within CoSTEM, US National Academies, Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, and multiple content developers—is empowering youth through the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

June 6, 2018

In her blog "Global issues are real: What is Keysight doing to help train tomorrow’s problem solvers?" Marie Hattar, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Keysight Technologies Inc. cites the Smithsonian Science Education Center as she discusses why closing the STEM skills gap is critical to solving the problems facing our society and planet. According to Hattar, we need to increase students’ interest in STEM subjects and build their skills in these areas. Keysight is the world's leading electronic measurement company who is recognized for its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.

June 2, 2018

Carol O'Donnell, member of IAP SEP-Global Council, has had an article published in the G7 Summit Canada Global Briefing Report on empowering youth through the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Inspired by the SDGs, the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), of which O'Donnell is the director, with support from IAP and the private sector, is developing a set of free curriculum modules for students ages 8-17 to bring the SDGs into the classroom. These 'Community Research Guides' will engage students in inquiry-based experiences in their local community; present the SDG problem through multiple perspectives (social, ethical, economic, environmental); will be empowering; and will, above all, be fun.

The first of these modules, 'Mosquito!' - which aims to teach children how to avoid mosquito-borne diseases and how their community deals with controlling such diseases - was launched June 6th at a meeting organized by the SSEC and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama.

May 30, 2018

Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, has published the article, "Empowering Women in STEM through the WiSTEM2D Initiative: A Public-Private Partnership." Through its "Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing, and Design (WiSTEM2D) Initiative, Johnson & Johnson, together with three NGOs--Junior Achievement Worldwide, FHI360, and the Smithsonian Science Education Center--are working to spark girls' interest in STEM at a young age and help girls of all ages across the globe to stay on the STEM track. (Note: This article was originally published in the print edition of the 2018 G7 Summit magazine, distributed at the 44th G7 Summit held 8–9 June 2018 in Charlevoix, Canada.)

May 28, 2018

The 44th G7 Summit will be held on 8–9 June 2018 in Charlevoix, Canada. The summit will gather leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, to discuss global policy issues of high relevance on diplomatic agendas. Themes include investing in growth that works for everyone; preparing for jobs of the future; advancing gender equality and women's empowerment; working together on climate change, oceans and clean energy; and building a more peaceful and secure world.  O'Donnell's article (pg 108) focuses on the role that the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) will play in empowering youth to engage in local and global actions to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) through its new freely disseminated Smithsonian Science for Global Goals curriculum. You can download a full copy of the G7 Global Briefing Report at:  https://issuu.com/g20magazine/docs/g7_2018_full_set_digital__2_

May 18, 2018

Literacy Worldwide highlighted two apps recognized as "Best Apps for Teaching & Learning" by the AASL's Standards for the 21st-Century Learner: Heuristic Shakespeare, a digital book app which pairs text with performance, and Disaster Detector, a game-based app from the Smithsonian Science Education Center that lets players make predictions and analyze and interpret data. 

May 14, 2018

Dr. Greg Kelly is a Distinguished Professor and the Senior Associate Dean for Research, Outreach and Technology in the College of Education at Pennsylvania State University and a member of the SSEC National Advisory Board and a faculty member in science education. Dr. Kelly is the recipient of the 2018 University Faculty Way Paver Award for his work with diversity and inclusion initiatives at Penn State and throughout the community. He has also received the 2018 Dr. John J. Gumperz Memorial Award for Distinguished Lifetime Scholarship which recognizes and honors the lifelong distinguished scholarship of a senior scholar whose program of research in language and social processes and professional service have made significant contributions to the field. We would like to extend our congratulations to Dr. Kelly for his outstanding service to science education.

May 14, 2018

The SSEC was selected to host a video in the STEMforAll NSF Showcase, which describes the results from SSEC's LASER i3 Validation study. LASER was developed under an NSF grant and studied using US Department of Education funds.

Results from LASER i3 validation study from videohall.com on Vimeo.

May 7, 2018

April 30, 2018 

In an article for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dr. Carol O'Donnell discussed her time growing up in Pittsburgh as a young girl with an interest in STEM. According to Dr. O'Donnell, “At the time, the opportunities for young girls to think about STEM as a career ... we were just on the verge of that. I remember my parents wanting me to become an engineer because I was already messing around and building things, using my local environment as my laboratory.” With the support of her parents, Dr. O'Donnell took two buses to school every morning to take trigonometry classes. The article goes on to discuss how mentoring women to pursue STEM careers is vital. “We need to help students understand what science can do,” she said. It’s not enough to teach women science and technology if there is no structure to hold them in place.

April 24, 2018

Johnson & Johnson has joined up with nonprofit organizations like FHI 360, the Smithsonian Science Education Center and Junior Achievement to find ways to make science programs in schools both educational and fun through resources like games, videos and more creative lesson plans—all with the ultimate hope of reaching 1 million young girls by 2020. At the same time, the company has inked 11 partnerships with universities around the world—from MIT in Cambridge to the University of Limerick in Ireland—to help boost the percentage of women declaring STEM2D majors through scholarships, mentoring and research opportunities. And the gambit's beginning to pay off: In 2017 alone, the WiSTEM2D program impacted over 10,000 girls between the ages of 5 and 18 through its Youth Pillar, as well as provided $1 million in funding to 177 undergraduate students through its University Pillar.

April 23, 2018

An article written by Ashley Deese, Manager of Digital Media at the Smithsonian Science Education Center, was cited by STEMgobble, a blog digest of education news which discussed the difference between Gamification and Game-based Learning. According to Deese's blog post, “Using gamification to aid in cognitive development will allow an increase in the activity of the regions of the brain to allow for adequate development,” and, “exercising with an interactive game is just as effective as normal exercise.” So, gamification and game-based learning have the potential to enhance cognitive and physical development. To read the article, go here: https://www.stemgobble.com/single-post/2018/04/11/Gamification-vs-Game-Based-Learning

April 16, 2018

For over thirty years, women have remained noticeably underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. From hiring practices to workplace culture, multiple factors create barriers that prevent women from achieving fulfilling and successful careers. The capacity of women in STEM to excel in their chosen careers impacts the pipeline for emerging women leaders in these fields, and if these barriers persist, the number of women in the pipeline will not be able to grow. In order to open up pathways to leadership for more women in STEM, we must ask the question: What are those barriers? And more importantly, what can we do about them? In honor of Women’s History Month, Dr. Carol O'Donnell and other women leaders in STEM served as panelists in the Wilson Center’s Science and Technology Innovation Program, Women in Public Service Project and Serious Game Initiative for a conversation on the barriers and opportunities for women in STEM, and the actions that can be taken to achieve true gender parity in these fields.

April 16, 2018

Dr. Carol O'Donnell of the Smithsonian Science Education Center worked with 203 girls and boys at the fifth annual K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Symposium on April 14, 2018 held at the Nysmith School in Herndon, Virginia. An estimated 4,000 students, parents, educators, and businesses and 50 exhibitors attended the event. Young students who worked with the Smithsonian were given an engineering design challenge to design, build, test, and redesign a vehicle to move at least one meter and then demonstrate their understanding of the science behind its motion. Students applied engineering principles as they moved the car using either gravitational potential energy, rubber band energy, wind energy, or hydro-electric power. There were 203 students who won the design challenge and were rewarded with a WiSTEM²D poster produced by Johnson & Johnson and the Smithsonian Science Education Center. The poster illustrates a variety of STEM²D careers students can enter and the degrees required for each.

April 16, 2018 

Dr. Brian Mandell, Division Director for Curriculum & Communications at the Smithsonian Science Education Center, was a featured presenter at the 2018 Math & Science Symposium held at the Morristown-Beard School and co-hosted by The New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS) and the Far Hills Country Day School. 

The event was attended by more than 200 independent school teachers from across New Jersey and featured a keynote address by Dr Ellen Stofan, former Chief Scientist for NASA. Dr. Stofan, who was recently named the Head of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., spoke about "Exploring Other Worlds to Understand Our Own." In her talk, she discussed the importance of studying the planets Venus and Mars as well as the moon Titan (the largest moon of Saturn) because of their geological similarities with the Earth.

Dr. Brian Mandell 

Dr Ellen Stofan

April 16, 2018

The University of Pittsburgh School of Education recently sat down with Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, to talk to her about her experience growing up in inner city Pittsburgh, attending the University of Pittsburgh School of Education as a young adult, and pursuing a career as a woman in STEM. To read the transcript of the interview, go to: https://app.education.pitt.edu/newsletter/PittEd/article?id=...

April 16, 2018 

On April 10, 2018, the Smithsonian Magazine's Voices Blog published an article by Dr. Katya Vines, a Senior Curriculum Developer with the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Dr. Vines' article focuses on

Scotland’s Jurassic Island and what scientists can learn from dinosaur footprint tracks, which can tell scientists how a dinosaur moved and lived, the size of the dinosaur, whether it is a herbivore or carnivore, what kind of species it is likely to be, and what kind of environment it lived in. Who knew that a footprint could reveal so much! To learn more, go to: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/smithsonian-science-edu...

April 10, 2018

Users Can Vote Online to Help the Smithsonian Science Education Center Win Internet’s Top Honor: https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2018/games/genera...

The Smithsonian Science Education Center announced that it has been nominated for Best Public Service and Activism game in the 22nd Annual Webby Awards for “Aquation: The Freshwater Access Game.” Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet. IADAS, which nominates and selects The Webby Award Winners, is comprised of Internet industry experts, including Jimmy Kimmel, Lyft CEO Logan Green, Girls Who Code Founder Reshma Saujani, Gimlet Media CEO Alex Blumberg, Instagram’s Eva Chen, social entrepreneur Van Jones, Internet inventor Vint Cerf, Playmatics CEO Margaret Wallace, Reddit’s Alexis Ohanian, and Black Lives Matter’s Opal Tometi.

April 10, 2018

April 9, 2018

Christina Zdawczyk, Ph.D. student in the psychological foundations of education program in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota, is the recipient of a prestigious research fellowship through the National Science Foundation Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP). This grant supports graduate students studying STEM subjects and education. The fellowship covers educational and living expenses for three years, in order to allow graduate fellows to fully engage in their research interests and become experts in their fields. Zdawczyk will conduct research at the Smithsonian Science Education Center in Washington, D.C. under the mentorship of Dr. Brian Mandell, SSEC's Division Director of Curriculum. Zdawczyk's project is titled: “Student Misconceptions in the Science Classroom: Examining Teacher Knowledge and Self-Efficacy.” 

Congratulations to Christina on her continued success and contributions to the field of educational psychology!

April 9, 2018

While U.S. students are graduating high school at the highest rate ever, questions remain about how well prepared new diploma-holders are for what comes next. For instance, researchers estimate that  some 6 million jobs remain unfilled, many of which require individuals with STEM skills that employers say they just can’t find enough of in the talent pool. In response, K-12 administrators, advocates, and policymakers are working to shore up education programs in K-12 to give students the skills they need to compete in the workforce or the college classroom. The change is happening by improving teacher training, integrating more experiential and hands-on learning into the classroom, and teaming up K-12 schools with corporate and higher education partners to advance women in STEM. Several education leaders presented on this standing-room only panel, including Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), who discussed SSEC's role in the Johnson & Johnson Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing, and Design (WiSTEM2D) initiative.

April 2, 2018

On April 2, 2018, the Smithsonian Magazine's Voices Blog published an article by Logan Schmidt, a curriculum developer with the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Logan's article focuses on how Dr. Jane Goodall turned frustration into fame by conquering challenges in the field. In her article, Logan indicates that, "like every scientist before her and every scientist who will follow, Goodall encountered failure in the pursuit of science." Logan describes how all scientists, including Goodall, fail. Goodall, who is one of the most accomplished animal behavior scientists in the world, discovered that chimpanzees use tools, eat meat, and have complex social relationships. But those discoveries didn’t come without persistence and some measure of failure. To read more, go to: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/smithsonian-science-edu...

March 26, 2018

In January 2018, elementary school teachers from Tully Central Schools in Tully, NY completed the second year of the 100K in 10 Grant, which is offered through a partnership with OCM-BOCES and The Smithsonian Science Education Center. The team of teachers from Tully Elementary School involved with this grant are Rachel Kolod, Abigail Lerch, Michele McNerney, Lisa Saile and Melissa Pickard. Through this grant, teachers were provided training related to the science units developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center, as well as professional development in how to conduct a formal "Lesson Study." Tully teachers then worked with teachers from around the area to choose a specific element of a Smithsonian Science Lesson, which they then researched and evaluated.  To read their newsletter, go to: http://www.tullyschools.org/tfiles/folder749/KI%20March%202018.pdf

March 22, 2018 

Special Honor To Highlight a Distinguished Career

(Left to right) Scott Robinson, Anne B. Keiser, Dr. Douglass Lapp, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, and Eric Nastasi

On March 19, Dr. Carol O’Donnell, director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, presented Douglas M. Lapp with a letter from the Secretary of the Smithsonian designating Lapp as founding director, emeritus, Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) in recognition of his length of service and outstanding contributions during his tenure at the Smithsonian. The presentation took place at The Hamilton in the company of his wife, Anne B. Keiser of the Smithsonian Women’s Committee; Eric C. Nastasi, division director for advancement & partnerships, SSEC; and Scott Robinson, advancement officer, Smithsonian’s  Office of Advancement.

March 22, 2018

On World Water Day–March 22–the Smithsonian Magazine published an article by Dr. Sarah Glassman, a curriculum developer with the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Dr. Glassman's article focuses on the importance of stopping and thinking about where we get the water that we need. She notes, "Only 2.5% of the water on Earth is freshwater compared to salt water. And most of that freshwater is not available because it is stored in glaciers." She also shares with Smithsonian Magazine readers that the second biggest source of freshwater is groundwater, which is unequally distributed across Earth, and the smallest percent of freshwater is found as surface water in lakes, streams, and wetlands. To learn more, go to: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/smithsonian-science-education-center/2018/03/19/world-water-day-dont-take-your-water-granted/

March 19, 2018

For over thirty years, women have remained noticeably underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Women make up more than half of college-educated workers but only 25% of college-educated STEM workers – in some fields, such as computer science, women make up only 18.1% of earned bachelor’s degrees. Missing half of the talent pool impacts our potential competitiveness and innovation in a technology-driven economy. But the real problems may begin once women enter a STEM career. Dr. Carol O'Donnell, the Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, is one of three women leaders in STEM to join a panel organized by the Wilson Center’s Science and Technology Innovation Program, Women in Public Service Project and Serious Games Initiative, for a conversation on the barriers and opportunities for women in STEM, and the actions that can be taken to achieve true gender parity in these fields. 

March 17, 2018

Kirk Robbins, author of the blog "Science for All: Curating Transformative Science Education Resources," highlighted the playbook, "Fostering Change: Ideas and Best Practices for Diversity in STEM Teaching in K-12 Classrooms," which is the result of a collaboration between the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Shell Oil Company, and FSG. This playbook provides support in trying to diversify the STEM teaching workforce. The goal of "Science for All" is to share transformational science education resources, defined as any  book, article, web site, video clip, report, or tool that will be highly likely to change or advance the public's thinking about effective science instruction and can be used to support effective science teaching and learning for ALL students.

March 5, 2018

The Walton Family Foundation announced plans to invest $790,000 to grow and diversify the teaching profession in Houston, Texas, by supporting the expansion of Teaching Excellence, an innovative teacher training program run by YES Prep Public Schools–one of 21 teams who attended the Smithsonian's 2018 Summit designed to help teams diversify the STEM teaching workforce. With foundation support, Teaching Excellence will train and support at least 620 educators, 70 percent of whom will identify as people of color, between 2018 and 2020. Teaching Excellence educators will eventually serve Houston students across 15 charter organizations and school districts.

February 28, 2018

Carolina Biological Supply Company, the leading school science supplier, and the Smithsonian Science Education Center recently launched the new Smithsonian Science for the Classroom Engineering modules for students in grades 1 to 5. With school demand for new STEM products that address Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and are easy to implement, the Smithsonian Science Education Center responded with a new generation of high-quality curriculum materials—Smithsonian Science for the Classroom. Developed to meet the NGSS, Smithsonian Science for the Classroom is an innovative program for school districts that includes print and digital components, as well as hands-on materials. The program’s high-interest engineering content teaches science and provides meaningful literacy and math experiences. Blending content, practices, and crosscutting concepts, the hands-on engineering modules are designed to engage students and meet Performance Expectations.

February 22, 2018

The Smithsonian Science Education Center received a grant from the Smithsonian Women’s Committee to support the Center’s first ever Smithsonian Science Summer School. Also called S⁴, the initiative is a science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) education program that connects the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s K-8 primary and middle school curriculum with the history, art, culture and science of the Smithsonian Institution for the benefit of Horizons Greater Washington summer school students.

Through six weeks of instruction on the Smithsonian curricula, and a series of field trips, the S⁴program will bring the Smithsonian to life for 135 underserved students from Title I schools in grades 1 through 8 in order to reduce the summer skills gap that occurs for underserved youth. For this effort the Center will collaborate with Horizons Greater Washington, a non-profit organization that offers a summer enrichment program to economically disadvantaged students in Washington, D.C. The S⁴Program will also help the Smithsonian meet its strategic goal of reaching every student in the DC area, and demonstrating “One Smithsonian” by relating its curriculum to the collections and exhibits of a variety of Smithsonian museums.

“Horizons Greater Washington is extremely excited to work with the Smithsonian Institution to bring authentic STEM experiences to our students, stated Renée Stikes, Executive Director, Horizons Greater Washington. The S⁴ program will go a long way to help close the summer skills and knowledge gap for these kids.”

Both the Smithsonian Science Education Center and Horizons Greater Washington look forward to a mutually beneficial collaboration, and thank the Smithsonian Women’s Committee for the opportunity to offer this exciting program to Washington, DC students.

February 9, 2018

In January, a team of Tully Elementary School (TES) teachers completed Year Two of the 100K in 10 Grant, awarded to the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) in partnership with New York State OCM Board of Cooperative Educational Services (OCM BOCES). Of the seventy (70) teachers chosen, the team from TES included Rachel Kolod, Abigail Lerch, Michele McNerney, Lisa Saile and Melissa Pickard. Teachers were provided early training in the first of four new SSEC Science Units as well as Professional Development in Lesson Study. Teachers worked for several months to choose, research, evaluate and propose a lesson focus. The TES team focused on Evidence Based Claims and Accountable Talk within a 1st Grade Smithsonian Science lesson. First graders came to the Maker Lab to solve the question “What is Needed to Make Sound?” 

Read more at http://www.tullyschools.org/teacherpage.cfm?teacher=965

To tackle the issue of underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teaching and leadership, the Smithsonian Science Education Center will host a STEM teacher leadership summit Feb. 23–25 at Howard University funded by Shell Oil Company in collaboration with the Howard University School of Education and powered by Teach to Lead.

February 5, 2018

As schools adopt the Next Generation Science Standards and broaden science instruction in the classroom to STEM, there is growing educator interest in acquiring new resources to meet changing needs. Seeing the changes in K-12 science instruction, Simba Information undertook a survey of educators about the science resources they are using in the 2017-2018 school year. Findings from that survey and Simba’s ongoing research into the educational materials market are the basis for a new report, K-12 Science Market and STEM Outlook Report 2018. Survey-based data is included on the use of science programs and hands-on science kits, including criteria for the selection of a core resource, and whether digital tools and content are supplanting print materials. Asked about the most important attributes of core science programs, surveyed educators ranked the following features the highest: alignment with standards, include a mix of text, multimedia and hands-on resources, and include projects and lab experiments. The Smithsonian Science Education Center's STEM curriculum was among those highlighted in the report.

February 5, 2018

More than 600 female undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and community members gathered at Yale University Law School on Wall Street Saturday February 3, 2018 for an all-day conference organized by the Yale Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI). The 10th Annual Yale Women in Leadership Conference brought females together to engage in a vital conversation regarding how women can empower themselves and engage with Women Leaders from across the country in Education, Technology, Politics, Business, Performing Arts, and others, sharing experiences, counsel, and words of empowerment. SSEC Director Dr. Carol O'Donnell served as one of the presenters.

February 3, 2018

January 30, 2018

In this month's article, GeekWire discusses the importance of collaboration in the world of education technology. As one example, the article highlights the Smithsonian Institution, through its Smithsonian Science Education Center, which announced a “strategic alliance” with Carnegie Learning, an edtech company founded in Pittsburgh in 1998. Carnegie’s focus on math and adaptive technology would be combined with the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s focus on science and engineering to create STEM products for K-12 students and teachers.

January 2018

This research article summarizes the collaboration between the faculty of education at Chiang Mai University in Thailand and an educational service area to develop the Science Camp Model. The activities designed for the camp were based on the Tinkering and Maker Movement and draw from 5 inquiry-based science units designed to enhance students' conceptualization of electricity, including the Smithsonian Science Education Center's STC curriculum for middle school students. The goal of the study was to determine if science camp could improve students' understanding of electricity, in order to meet the standard evaluation of Thailand's Ordinary National Educational Test (O-NET).

January 26, 2018

NSTA's Education News highlights the news of Smithsonian's new alliance with Carnegie Learning to build new STEM products.

January 26, 2018

As part of STEM East, schools districts in North Carolina have been invited to participate in a pilot implementation of a kit-based inquiry science curriculum, including hands-on curriculum produced by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Under the direction of Bruce Middleton, Executive Director of STEM East, participating teachers have been provided training in inquiry teaching and access to kit curriculum. Local news station WNCT9 reported on the STEM pilot. STEM East is developing networks through the collaborative efforts of regional businesses, school districts, economic development municipalities, private foundations, state and local government and many others. Their intent is that students across our region will engage in real-world STEM learning opportunities that directly align with career opportunities in Eastern North Carolina. To learn more about STEM East in NC, go to: https://www.stemeast.org/stem-educators

January 25, 2018

DECA’s National Advisory Board, and the National Research Center for College and University Admissions (NRCCUA) hosted an impactful symposium at the AT&T Forum that explored the topic of "21st Century Mindsets vs. 21st Century Skills: How Do We Bridge the Gap?" The Thought Leadership Forum featured notable leaders in the education community, policy makers, and corporate leaders who gathered to confer on the many exciting, new and urgently necessary opportunities that exist for collaboration between the business, education and public policy sectors. The NRCCUA presented their most recent findings on the topic from a special report that was released at the event. Findings included six mindsets that are pervasive among college-bound high school students. SSEC Director, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, spoke on the importance of developing STEM knowledge, skills and attitudes in K-12 students.

January 25, 2018

The Einstein Project has teamed up with administrators and educators from Green Bay Area Public Schools and the School District of South Milwaukee to tackle the issue of under-representation in STEM education.  Their team was selected by the Smithsonian Science Education Center to attend a Teacher Leadership Summit at Howard University in Washington, DC, which was held February 23-25, 2018.  The event sponsored by the Shell Oil Company is helping teams create plans for attracting, retaining, and developing a diverse STEM teaching workforce in their districts. For a video highlighting research from Dr. Michael Ford of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, go to: http://www.wisn.com/article/wisconsin-schools-lack-minority-teachers/143854…

January 19, 2018

Carnegie Learning, Inc., a research-proven leader of mathematics technology, curriculum and services, has announced a strategic alliance with the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian has long been a leading developer of research-based science and engineering curriculum through its Smithsonian Science Education Center, which was established in 1985 to help transform the teaching and learning of science in the United States and throughout the world. The alliance will bring together two prestigious entities–the Smithsonian Institution and Carnegie Learning, which traces its roots back to Carnegie Mellon University–as they pursue their aligned missions to prepare students for success in the future economy–an economy that will depend heavily on students' knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 

January 9, 2018

Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, served as an Outside Adviser for a Pew Research Center report that was released on Jan. 9, 2018, which used a national representative survey to understand the issues women face in the STEM workforce.  One of the key findings of the report is that while there has been an increased number of women earning degrees and working in the STEM industry, the new study found that women in STEM experience more discrimination at work than women in non-STEM fields.

To read the report go to: http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2018/01/09/stem-acknowledgmen...

January 9, 2018

This "Trends Report" from the 100kin10 organization--of which the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is a member--is the culmination of weeks of research, drawn from dozens of events and workshops, hundreds of conversations with experts and influencers, thousands of teacher surveys, and commissioned reviews exploring everything from social media trends to new teaching methods. The SSEC is highlighted in 100kin10's top insights from 2017 under the importance of promoting "Active STEM" learning.

December 18, 2017 

December 18, 2017

In this episode, host Dave Goldberg is joined by special guest Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), a unit of the Smithsonian Institution that is dedicated to transforming the learning and teaching of science throughout the nation and world. Listen to Dave's podcast as he and Carol further explore the work of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, delve into the impact the SSEC has had on students, and discuss how higher education can implement the same principles for student success in STEM.

December 18, 2017

In this article from the Orange County Register, Eddie Tabata, Executive Director of Science@OC, discusses how, for 15 years, the Santa-Ana based nonprofit, Science@OC, has been making an impact on science education in Orange County public schools, including those in Santa Ana where many students come from lower income households. Since Science@OC’s founding, more than 40,000 students — mostly 6-8th graders — have taken science classes using specially developed hands-on kits to get kids excited about science and discovery. Science@OC utilizes the nationally-recognized leadership development model called LASER from the Smithsonian Science Education Center. The program includes professional development, curriculum and materials support in the classroom, program evaluation and community partnerships.

December 17, 2017

During his December 17, 2017 CNN GPS "What in the World" segment [go to: 10:26:54], Fareed Zakaria cited the Smithsonian Science Education Center when he discussed women in the workforce as a matter of economic productivity. According to Zakaria, a new report out by Standard & Poor's indicates that women who leave the workforce or never enter it have cost the United States greatly. S&P says that the U.S. economy would be $1.6 trillion bigger today if women in America entered and stayed in the workforce at the same rate women in Norway have. Zakaria notes, "Only 14 percent of women age 25 to 64 in the U.S. have studied a STEM field to begin with, a recent OECD report shows." The data Zakaria attributed to the Smithsonian Science Education Center comes from a July 2011 report from the US Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, which projected that STEM jobs would grow by 17 percent from 2008-2018 compared to 9.8 percent growth for non-STEM occupations.

December 11, 2017

December 7, 2017

The diffusion of inquiry-based science teaching practices begs the question of how to properly evaluate this approach. To address this question, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), presented via video technology the results of the 5-year clustered randomized control trial (RCT) study of the SSEC's Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) at the conference "Evaluation of Inquiry-based Teaching, Scientific Reasoning and Critical Thinking:  State of Play and Prospects for the Future" held at the Simone and Cino Del Duca Foundation on December 7th, 2017 in Paris. Organized jointly by the Académie des Sciences - Institut de France and the Fondation La main à la pâte in partnership with the Department of Evaluation, Foresight and Performance (DEPP) of the Ministry of National Education and the network of Homes for science, this symposium brought together leading players in the field of research on the scientific reasoning of students, inquiry-based science education, evaluation of educational devices. It focused on identifying, disseminating and exploring tools and modalities for evaluating different aspects of inquiry-based science education, both at the classroom level and at the system level. 

November 22, 2017

Glen Cochrane, Section Chair of the Science Teachers' Association of NY State (STANYS), cited the SSEC's LASER study when he discussed the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS) in his recent STANYS Suffolk News blog. The NYSSLS standards are grade banded with specific Performance Expectations, which gives teachers and curriculum designers guidance as to what students are expected to know and do at the end of instruction. As Glen indicates, "The challenge for STANYS and the science specialists across New York is how to support the transition of elementary teachers into NYSSLS. Elementary teachers feel they lack the background and confidence to dive into developing curriculum for science, and NYSSLS elementary programs need a good curriculum that maintains fidelity with the intent of the new standards. The elementary teachers and administrators need the training to recognize materials that are aligned and provide constructivist learning opportunities." SSEC is developing K-8 curriculum materials to support New York State teachers in implementing these new standards.

November 18, 2017

At the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meeting in Washington, DC the Diplomatic Courier moderated two New Economy Forum discussions on the future of work, in continuation of its work advancing conversation on the subject through the Global Talent Summit, convened annually to “look at the technological, economic, socio-economic, and political dimensions of a post-employment world.”

In these “New Economy Talks”, Diplomatic Courier Chief Ana C. Rold spoke with venture capitalist Scott Hartley and Smithsonian Science Education Center Director Carol O’Donnell about how they anticipate automation will impact the landscape of early childhood education and how we cultivate new talent to address looming global challenges including infectious disease, water scarcity, energy security, and climate change.

November 15, 2017

Dr. Amy D'Amico, Division Director for Professional Services at the Smithsonian Science Education Center, was a technical advisor for the initiative called "Portable Laboratories" of the Allende Connelly Foundation and the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Chile. This initiative brings experiential learning from the Portable Laboratory to public schools of the Metropolitan Region so that students can engage in inquiry-based science education firsthand. This initiative achieved support of the Ministry of Education in 2016 and is now in seven regions of the country with the support of nine universities. In addition to Dr. D'Amico, who represented science education in the United States, other technical support came from colleagues in Italy and France. 

Read more at:

http://www.uchile.cl/noticias/138587/escolares-de-regiones-e...

November 10, 2017

SSEC Director, Carol O'Donnell, presented on the work of the Smithsonian Science Education Center at a two-day meeting, "Aim, Scope, and Challenges of Research Museums: An exchange between the Smithsonian Institution and the Leibniz Association " on 30-31 October. Organized by Scott Miller, Deputy Undersecretary for Collections and Interdisciplinary Support (DUSCIS), the meeting brought together a number of Smithsonian staff and representatives from a number of the 91 institutional members of the Leibniz Association. The Leibniz Association is a union of German non-university research institutes from various branches of study and has a number of similarities to the Smithsonian Institution. O'Donnell's talk focused on the work of SSEC's LASER program and its impact on the German education program called "TuWAS".

November 6, 2017

Smithsonian Science Education Center Director, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, has been invited to present at the Global Talent Summit 2018, hosted by ETH Zurich University in its historic campus in Zurich, Switzerland. The Global Talent Summit 2018 will bring together multi-disciplinary stakeholders from the private sector, policy, academia/K-12 STEM education, and innovation to discuss the trends and solutions for the future of work and education. It its 5th year, the Global Talent Summit has convened over 2000 strategists, key opinion leaders, and relevant stakeholders to shape the future of talent through education, innovation, and recruitment. To learn about the other speakers, read publications on this important topic facing STEM educators today, and register for the event, go to: http://globaltalentsummit.org/

November 6, 2017

Katie Gainsback, STEM Professional Development Expert at the Smithsonian Science Education Center, delivered a talk at the 2017 Gender Summit on "Diversifying the STEM Community of Tomorrow: Educational, Extracurricular, and Community Influences". The Gender Summit is a platform for dialogue where scientists, policymakers, gender scholars and stakeholders in science systems examine new research evidence showing when, why, and how biological differences and socio-cultural differences between females and males impact outcomes. The aim is to reach consensus where improvements to science knowledge and science practice are needed and who should take action. 

November 6, 2017

On November 16, 2017, Einstein Project is partnering with the Smithsonian Science Education Center and Carolina Biological to bring a free summit for Wisconsin administrators, school superintendents, curriculum directors and educators. Held at the Weidner Center (UW-Green Bay), this event presents STEM Talks by the Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor, a local CEO, Brian Mandell and Katie Gainsback as guest speakers from the Smithsonian, and a panel discussion from Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. There will also be a Makerspace presentation and panel discussion. To register for the event go to: http://einsteinportal.2bsolutions.net/public-events/

November 6, 2017

Dr. Brian Mandell will lead a workshop at the “It’s Go Time! Science for All,” Conference in New York on November 7th, 2017. The conference in Mattydale will focus on the new standards but also incorporate a research-driven professional development practice called "Lesson Study," which is generally defined as a collaborative process for planning, analyzing, and continuously improving instructional practices.

At the conference, teachers and students from four Central New York districts will be participating in lessons aligned with the new state learning standards and based on curriculum modules developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. As the lessons unfold, conference participants will stand close by, observing individual students and taking notes on how each student’s learning progresses. The event marks the second year of a unique collaboration between the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services (OCM BOCES) and the Syracuse University School of Education. Support is provided by a 100kin10 grant to the Smithsonian Science Education Center and from several local teacher centers: Central New York/Oswego County; Jamesville DeWitt/Syracuse University; West Genesee/Syracuse University; Syracuse; and Cayuga-Onondaga.

Read more at http://www.ocmboces.org/teacherpage.cfm?teacher=3307

November 6, 2017

On January 29-30, 2018, Dr. Brian Mandell, Division Director for Curriculum & Communications, will be the Keynote speaker at the annual conference of SECO--the Ohio Chapter of the National Science Teachers Association--where he will talk about the work of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's efforts to research and develop curriculum materials that address the five strands of the conference: (1) design and engineering principles; (2) resources for inquiry-learning; (3) earth, life, and physical science content; (4) the integration of arts and literacy into science curriculum; and, (5) the integration of math and technology into science teaching. To register for the event go to: https://scienceeducationofohio1.wildapricot.org/page-18198

October 30, 2017

Katherine Blanchard, International Education expert at the Smithsonian Science Education Center, presented on SSEC's LASER program at the AEMASE III, African-European-Mediterranean Academies for Science Education on October 3-4, 2017 in Paris. In Africa as in Europe, the network AEMASE is dedicated to transforming science education in schools, focusing on the formation of reasoning through student inquiry as a solid cornerstone for educating responsible citizens, and developing students' science and technology skills. AEMASE III also emphasizes teacher training in inquiry-based education. It seeks to prepare more scientifically literate citizens, put the economy on track, improve the standard of living, and combat the current global challenges.

October 30, 2017

The STEM Materials Center of the North Central Educational Service District (NCESD) will be rolling out the nine new Smithsonian STCMS middle school units in the Fall of 2017 after Washington State adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in 2013, now called the Washington State 2013 K-12 Science Learning Standards. NCESD materials cooperative is one small part of the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s Theory of Action which incorporates the SSEC's Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) model that describes the infrastructure for transforming science education. This model includes: research-based, inquiry-driven curriculum; professional development; materials support; administrative and community support; and appropriate assessment. The following districts will use the Smithsonian's STCMS curriculum: Brewster, Bridgeport, Cashmere, Eastmont, Entiat, Nespelem, Orondo, Quincy, Tonasket, Warden, and Waterville, with these districts piloting: Ephrata, Lake Chelan, Moses Lake, and Omak.

October 30, 2017

Several recent articles have cited the Smithsonian Science Education Center when referencing the importance of STEM education in promoting and supporting our future STEM workforce, including KRIS TV in Corpus Christi, TX and Market Watch.
 

October 20, 2017

A new joint internship opportunity between the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) and the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) will offer undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to participate in cutting edge research with scientists at JCVI, while also working at SSEC on developing international curriculum materials aligned with the U.N.'s Global Sustainability Development Goals that help bring this research to young students across the globe.  This is an excellent opportunity for both science majors who may be interested in pursuing a path in education, and for education majors looking to gain valuable experience in a professional laboratory.

October 12, 2017

Mrs. Carolina Rogers, a 6th grade middle school teacher in at Beverly Hills Middle School in the Upper Darby School District of PA, is eager to welcome her students back to school this fall so she can introduce them the Smithsonian's new Science and Technology Concepts for Middle School (STCMS) curriculum, which was selected to reflect the PA science standards.  The STCMS curriculum was developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center and published by Carolina Biological. STCMS is a hands on, inquiry based program that integrates engineering and design throughout each unit.  

October 9, 2017

Missouri middle school teachers and their students will learn different ways to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics under a new federal NIH SEPA grant. The National Institutes of Health awarded a $1.25 million Science Education Partnership Award to a team led by Missouri Univeristy professors in the departments of special education and biochemistry. The grant will be used to lead a program to improve middle school students’ STEM literacy and skills and give professional development to teachers. The Smithsonian Science Education Center, cited in the article for its expertise in inquiry, has evidence of the impact of inquiry-based science methods on students with special needs: https://ssec.si.edu/laser-i3.

See also: https://ssec.si.edu/impacting-student-learning 

October 6, 2017

The global skills gap for filling science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) jobs that permeates today’s job market can only be reduced by developing STEM skills early in primary and secondary schools. The current trend of employers—only hiring the most talented individuals—has created a great demand for positions with little to no qualified individuals to fill them. By cultivating these STEM skills early in primary and secondary schools, however, educators and professionals in both the public and private sector are helping prospective employees become equipped with the foundational skills necessary to succeed in the STEM workplace. In this article from the Diplomatic Courier, Carol O'Donnell, the Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, discusses the role STEM educators play in developing future global talent.

September 29, 2017

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) has announced the release of “Aquation: The Freshwater Access Game.” “Aquation” is a single-player digital-strategy game that enables students to study the science that guides the hydrosphere as it relates to the global availability of freshwater. It uses water resource data and gross domestic product data to identify, on a color-coded map, areas of excess water and areas of water scarcity. “Aquation” incorporates world events like droughts, fires and heavy rain to familiarize students with concepts of unequal distribution of resources, differences in location and research efforts into water conservation.

September 18, 2017

Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, will host the New Economy Forum at this year's IMF annual conference to be held October 11, 2017 at the IMF Headquarters in Washington, DC. This forum will focus on the future of work from three areas. First, the technological innovations that will bring about the changes in our workplaces and labor markets; second, the skills and education necessary to adapt to those changes and lastly, the socio-economic impact of technological innovations and how to design policies that respond to these changes while ensuring a sustainable and inclusive prosperity. Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center will be interviewed by Ana Rold, Publisher and CEO of the Diplomatic Courier, on how STEM educators are helping to prepare for a post-employment society.

Watch the video here: http://www.imf.org/external/mmedia/view.aspx?vid=5607014056001

September 16, 2017

Article 12 of the Paris Agreement states that: “Parties shall cooperate in taking measures, as appropriate, to enhance climate change education. To that end, La Main à la Pâte – a French foundation committed to promoting inquiry-based science education – convened a working conference in Erice, Sicily, Italy, on 1-7 September 2017. The meeting was attended by some 35 experts in climate change science, education and related areas from some 15 countries. Among the participants was InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) Coordinator, Peter McGrath, and member of the IAP Science Education Programme’s Global Council, Carol O’Donnell of the Smithsonian Science Education Center in the USA. The workshop was held at the Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture, where participants brainstormed on how available teaching materials might be crafted into curriculum frameworks, and how such curricula could be translated and adapted for use in different countries.

September 15, 2017

David J. Skorton, Secretary of the Smithsonian and a board-certified cardiologist, recently honored the National Library of Medicine (NLM) with a visit to learn about its historical collections and exhibitions. Given NLM's successful engagement with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in both the display of Civil War nurse Amanda Akin’s diary in the Albert H. Small Documents Gallery, and the creation of the popular traveling banner exhibition From DNA to Beer: Harnessing Nature in Medicine and Industry, it was also a chance to discuss future collaborative opportunities. As Secretary, Dr. Skorton oversees 19 museums and galleries, 21 libraries, the National Zoo and numerous education and research centers, including the Smithsonian Astrophysics Observatory, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Under his leadership, a new strategic plan has been developed with a focus on convening critical conversations about topics of vital public interest. 

September 11, 2017

Join the South Carolina Science Council's premiere professional development event November 8-10, 2017 . This conference is designed for science teachers, by science teachers, to enhance science education. The conference will include workshops on the Smithsonian Science Education Center's (SSEC) new STCMS middle school curriculum modules, as well as SSEC's two new newly released elementary curriculum modules from our "Smithsonian Science for the Classroom" curriculum.

September 11, 2017

Ms Sharon Thomas, a middle school teacher in Medford, NJ, is eager to welcome her students back to school this fall so she can introduce them the Smithsonian's new STCMS curriculum, which was selected to reflect the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.  The curriculum was created by the Smithsonian Science Education Center and is called Science and Technology Concepts for Middle School (STCMS).  As Ms. Thomas explains to her students' parents, STCMS is a hands on, inquiry based program that integrates engineering and design throughout each unit.  Each classroom will have a class set of textbooks and students will have access to the textbook online for use outside of the classroom. 

August 22, 2017 

A new alliance between the Smithsonian Science Education Center and TLS/Aspen begins in earnest this fall, when Aspen High School students will mentor middle school students in a program titled “Always Thinking Like a Scientist,” or ATLAS. The Aspen ATLAS sessions will be under the umbrella of the Smithsonian as a proof-of-concept program which, if successful, could be implemented in other after-school clubs throughout the country.

August 22, 2017

Katherine Blanchard, a program specialist at the Smithsonian Science Education Center with a Masters Degree in International Education, interviewed the Founder President of the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF). The Foundation was established in Islamabad-Pakistan on 20 December 2011 as a Specialized Agency of the ECO. It is mandated to promote scientific and technological research collaboration and other relevant activities among the member states, leading to socioeconomic development in the region. In addition, to strengthen the science base of future generations and the region's economy, the Foundation is promoting science education at school level, using an Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) approach. The IBSE pedagogy for teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) encourages and motivates students in science through the hands-on, minds-on activities. 

August 20, 2017

On July 28, the Smithsonian, through its Smithsonian Science Education Center, formalized its alliance with Global Partnership for Science Education Through Engagement's (GSEE's) Think Like a Scientist initiative. That came to fruition by entering a memorandum of understanding with GSEE, in which the Smithsonian Science Education Center would establish the Network for Emergent Scientific Thinking (NEST) with Aspen's "Always Thinking Like a Scientist" (ATLAS) after school program–an experimental pilot program that would test a collaborative new approach between scientists and science educators to reach a middle school audience through high school and scientist mentorship.

August 17, 2017 

Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), was interviewed live by the early morning Aspen show "The Lift" to discuss the SSEC's new Colorado initiative to help students "Always Think Like a Scientist" (ATLAS) and to engage scientists and science educators across the globe in the new "Network for Emergent Scientific Thinking" (NEST), an initiative started by Physicist Dr. David Pines and recently transferred to the SSEC through an Memorandum of Understanding between the Global Partnership for Science Education through Engagement (GSEE) and the SSEC. The Lift is Aspen, Colorado's live, local morning show airing 7 days per week on TV channel 82 and streamed live on aspen82.com.

Carol O'Donnell Unterview from The Lift on Vimeo.

August 11, 2017 

Dr. Brian Mandell, Division Director of SSEC's Curriculum & Communications Division and Adjunct Professor at George Mason University, was among a cast of experts interviewed by Sinclair Broadcast Group regarding the recent solar eclipse viewing event. Other interviewees included Dr. David Evans, Executive Director of the National Science Teachers Association, and Rebecca Ljungren, astronomy educator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM).

August 8, 2017

Students and teachers at Rocky Mountain Prep Creekside help the SSEC celebrate their acceptance into the Colorado STEMworks database with a football from Colorado Technology Association and the Denver Broncos. Rocky Mountain Prep Creekside is one of 21 schools participating in the SSEC’s Colorado LASER Initiative.

August 2, 2017

The second It’s Go Time Conference will occur on November 7, 2017 in Syracuse, NY. This conference will have a dual focus on the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS) and the professional development practice of lesson study (a collaborative process for planning, analyzing, and continuously improving instructional practices, see www.lessonresearch.net). The focus of the conference will be science for all students, which will be supported by examining how lesson study can support teacher learning and instructional practices that facilitate equitable and rigorous content learning opportunities for all students. Dr. Brian Mandell will host a workshop on SSEC curriculum materials at the conference.

August 1, 2017

SEATTLE, WA (August 1, 2017) – The International Astronomical Union named Asteroid 25232 Asteroid Schatz to honor Dennis Schatz, Senior Advisor at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, for his distinguished career in and dedication to science education.

The asteroid was discovered by the Lowell Observatory Near-Earth Object Search (LONEOS) in 1998.  Astronomer Larry Wasserman, a planetary scientist at Lowell, suggested the designation to the IAU.

Asteroid Schatz is located in the main belt of asteroids between Mars and Jupiter, and orbits about 269 million miles from the Sun (for contrast, the Earth is only 93 million miles from our star.)

Schatz is perhaps best known in the area of astronomy education for creating a host of inquiry-based, hands-on astronomy activities which are in use in many thousands of schools, science museums, and other educational settings around the world.  Among these are: “The ‘Make-Your-Own Comet’ Recipe,” “Create an Alien,” “The Reasons for the Seasons Symposium,” and “Making a Pocket Sun-clock.”

July 24, 2017

One of the most expedient methods for making STEM matter in schools is through the value of experiential learning and grand challenges. What does that mean? It means creating programs in schools that help girls and minority students engage in real-world problems. Having a student identify an issue or problem in their school, their community, their country or their world and devise a way to solve it is real life learning, the kind that leaves a lasting impression. Blogger Jennifer Wolfe, who reports on education issues of our times, discusses examples of academic institutions--including the Smithsonian Science Education Center--that are striving to make STEM matter in schools in creative, exciting and innovative ways.

July 19, 2017

Education Dive reported that former federal accountability measures under No Child Left Behind, as well as Common Core standards derived from them, primarily emphasized reading and math, which left many schools pushing science education to the background. However, this created serious gaps in learning for students and a general lack of interest in science education overall. Education Dive also reports that in considering the K-12 to workforce pipeline, employers are increasingly concerned that students will not be able to fill jobs and cites this page from the Smithsonian Science Education Center, which shows that STEM jobs are not only growing, but that many STEM jobs will go unfilled due to lack of qualified candidates.

July 10, 2017

SSEC hosts three Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers (SSEATs) professional development academies in Washington, D.C. each year. The academies include: Biodiversity (June 18-23); Energy’s Innovations and Implications (July 9-14); and Earth's History and Global Change (July 30-August 4). This year, for the first time, the Smithsonian will collaborate with the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop one day of programming for the Energy’s Innovations and Implications academy. The program will focus on the museum’s LEED (Leadership and Energy in Environmental Design) Gold certification, and participants will have an opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes look at the museum’s sustainability measures, including a green roof and water recycling system, and view the facility through the eyes of one of the museum’s architects and a structural engineer.

July 10, 2017

 Dr. Amy D'Amico has been invited to speak at the Gender Summit, which has as one of its goals greater gender equality by increasing the number of women in scientific roles. Dr. D'Amico will participate in the panel, "Diversifying the STEM Community of Tomorrow: Educational, Extracurriculuar, and Community Influences." The panel will focus on the many factors influencing girls’ decisions to pursue postgraduate studies and careers in STEM. These factors include the way they are taught science and technology in school, the availability and quality of science-based extracurricular activities, and the effects of STEM experiences in the community in which they live. Together, such factors shape girls’ choices about their futures. The goal of this session is to explore ways to diversify the STEM community of tomorrow by understanding the impact of early-life STEM-related influences and by determining best practices that could help to increase the diversity of the STEM community.

July 10, 2017

Smithsonian Magazine's "Ask Smithsonian" series drew on the expertise of Senior Science Curriculum Developer, Dr. Katya Vines, when readers asked, "I was taught that there are three kinds of matter: solids, liquids and gases. But aren’t there others?" To read Dr. Vines' answer to this question and other questions like it from readers, go to:  http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/do-animals-have-baby-teeth-more-questions-readers-180963688/#ffE5H6xr1T3SmoDY.99

June 26, 2017

The June 2017 Smithsonian Research Highlights, prepared for the Board of Regents, describes an invited chapter authored by the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) and published in the anthology "Theories and Fundamentals of Inquiry Based Science Teaching." The chapter outlines results from SSEC's i3 validation study on LASER. The Smithsonian Institution was created by Congress in 1846 as "an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge." Congress vested responsibility for the administration of the Smithsonian in a Board of Regents, consisting of the Chief Justice of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, three members of the United States Senate, three members of the United States House of Representatives, and nine citizens. The Board of Regents meets at least four times each year and typically convenes in the Regents Room. For more information on the Board of Regents, see: https://www.si.edu/regents

June 26, 2017

With its breadth and depth of expertise in science, the arts, history, technology, and education, the Smithsonian Institution is uniquely poised to be a catalyst for convening a national conversation about the critical issues of the day. "Second Opinion" is an Institution-wide partnership to create a digital platform for thought leaders to explore challenges facing the nation and the world at large, from climate change to education, to technology, to the arts. Four times a year, the Institution convenes a panel of experts representing a spectrum of thought for a roundtable discussion on an issue facing the nation. This quarter's issue on climate change includes educational resources from the Smithsonian Science Education Center.

June 26, 2017

The Smithsonian Science Education Center will team up again with Diplomatic Courier as it organizes the fifth annual 2018 Global Talent Summit. Join us January 20, 2018 at ETH Zurich University in Switzerland as we convene educators from around the globe to discuss critical conversations that affect our nation and the world. Particularly, "How do we prepare our students for the future--a world of unprecedented change in the age of machine learning and artificial intelligence?"

June 26, 2017

STC has lasting effects on elementary students understanding of physical science even after they enter High School, according to this 2018 article from the research journal, "Review of Education." Researchers from Sweden summarize their evaluations of SSEC's Science and Technology for Children (STC) Program on 9th graders' content and process skills in sciences. The Swedish version, called Natural Sciences and Technology for All (NTA), is predominantly employed in grades 1–6 in more than 40% of Swedish schools. A nationally representative random sample of almost 16,000 test‐taking students is coupled with multi‐level information about the NTA, and background factors. The researchers found statistically significant positive effects of NTA on 9th graders' national test scores (effect size 0.24), but not on their course grades, and on national test grades for physics, but not for biology or chemistry. The article explains these effects.

June 26, 2017

June 26, 2017

Health experts says that there is a possible link between zika fever and microcephaly in new born babies by mother to child transmission. The Smithsonian Science Education Center, together with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), are developing a curriculum module called "Zika!" to help students better understand this virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. SSEC Director, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, is helping to spread the word about this free online module, with the hope of disseminating it globally after its release in May 2018. On June 23, 2017, Carol traveled to Miami to present information on "Zika!" at Miami City Hall, along with Miami's Mayor, in an event lead by Square Roots' CEO, Morad Fareed, who sits on the SSEC National Advisory Board. This event is the first of 40 to come to identify BIRTHMARK Cities committed to educating their community--including youth--about pregnancy health and wellness. "Zika!" is being funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and will be disseminated with the help of the Johnson & Johnson global network.

June 24, 2017

Disaster Detector is named a 2017 Best App for Teaching & Learning by the American Association of School Librarians.

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) announced its 2017 list of Best Apps for Teaching & Learning at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Chicago. The list of apps provides technology resources for school librarians and their teacher collaborators. Now in its fifth year, the list is considered the "best of the best" by AASL.

June 20, 2017

A study published in April 2017 by a Stanford research fellow claims to have solved part of the problem of how to boost student performance in schools. It's not just studying alone. It's how you study that is the real key. In this article, learn more about Stanford research which shows that a simple intervention can help students think about their own thinking before exams. See their reference to the SSEC Good Thinking webisode, "That's so Meta(cognitive)."

June 20, 2017

A group of 38 teachers from eight states will benefit from world-class training as a partnership between The Dow Chemical Company, CH2M, and the Smithsonian Science Education Center is renewed for another year. Participants in the 2017 Dow-CH2M Smithsonian Teacher Scholar Program will participate in the six-day Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers (SSEATs) in Washington, D.C., then continue on a year-long growth experience tailored to expanding science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) excellence.

June 14, 2017

AlejAndro Anastasio of "One Hand Speaks" has spoken in Malaysia, Singapore, Finland, Estonia, Austria, the Czech Republic and across the United States. In this podcast, AlejAndro shares his unique perspective of resilience, resolve, and flexibility and the beauty of rainbows, drawing on the content from the SSEC STEMVisions Blog, "The Science of Rainbows." Having a unique perspective on overcoming obstacles, AlejAndro has spoken and inspired people of all ages by helping them realize the power of their thinking. Born and raised in Indiana without his left hand, AlejAndro has decided to look at all the benefits of a one handed life through the power of thinking.

June 14, 2017

George Washington University is engaged in several programs to advance the STEM teaching workforce. GWTeach is a GW undergraduate program that prepares STEM majors to become teachers; a new partnership between GWTeach and the Smithsonian Science Education Center; along with GWNoyce, an NSF-funded program where students majoring in STEM will receive two years of tuition in exchange for teaching after graduation in a high-need school district, are all expected to reach more than 500 GW students by 2022. 

June 13, 2017

This article, published by NSTA and ASTC, discusses how the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) created a network focused on collaboration in STEM education to design and deliver projects, resources, and professional learning opportunities in a testbed environment. Other Founding Members of the Mid-Columbia STEM Education Collaboratory include Delta High School, Washington LASER, and MESA—which are all interested in promoting STEM education in the Mid-Columbia region and beyond and have been successful in doing so within their niche areas. WA LASER originated at the Smithsonian Science Education Center in Washington, D.C., and has developed a wide system of support and resources to help educators successfully integrate STEM subjects into their classrooms. LASER assists districts in identifying and implementing locally appropriate strategies for their student populations (e.g., implementing the Science Resource Center, which provides ready-to-use science modules for teachers in K–8 classrooms throughout southeast Washington). Districts select those strategies that best fit the needs of their students and curricula.

June 10, 2017

The Alexander Robertson School embraces new and energizing programming, and cites the Smithsonian Science Education Center Science and Technology Concepts (STC) curriculum as one of its proud programming offers.

June 6, 2017

"Education Dive," an online news outlet for educators, cited facts from the Smithsonian Science Education Center website in its June 2017 article on improving STEM education.

May 24, 2017

Since 2007, Dow has partnered with the Smithsonian Science Education Center to bridge the connection between the classroom and the real world through the Dow Smithsonian Teacher Scholars professional development program. Dow has reached approximately 300 teachers through the program, and in 2016 began co-sponsoring with business partner CH2M to bring DOW employee volunteers—known as STEM Ambassadors—into the classroom to share their knowledge and enthusiasm about science with students, and to build real-world connections with what is being learned in the classroom.

May 24, 2017

Director of the Smithsonain Science Education Center, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, talks to Dr. Reagan Flowers of C-STEM in Houston, TX about the power of STEM as a form of interdisciplinary learning, and the impact that LASER had on student learning in Houston, not only in science, but in reading and math, particularly for students who are typically underrepresented in science--those who are economically disadvantaged, English Learners, females, and students with disabilities.

May 24, 2017

Dr. Frazier Wilson–Vice President of Shell Oil Company Foundation, Manager of Social Investment of Shell Oil Company, and Co-Chair of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's Advisory Board–received the honorary "STEMing the Tide Corporate Leadership Award" from Dr. Regan Flowers, Director of C-STEM.

May 22, 2017

Northshore School District Curriculum Materials Adoption Committee votes to adopt the Smithsonian's STCMS curriculum, which is aligned with the new Washington State standards. Implementation will occur over three years with a gradual rollout of one grade per year to support teacher professional development.

May 18, 2017

For #InternationalMuseumDay, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum, hosted special guests from the Smithsonian! NCMNS Director Emlyn Koster, PhD, and Chief of School and Lifelong Education Elizabeth Baird joined with officials from Smithsonian for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on achieving high standards for science education and collaboration in North Carolina schools along with the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology (SMT) Center. NCMNS staff heard about the future of conservation biology from Smithsonian scientist Pierre Cmoizzoli, and Carol O'Donnell shared the work of the Smithsonian Science Education Center. 

May 15, 2017

The Smithsonian Science Education Center's "Good Thinking!" webisode video series will be highlighted at the American Association of Publishers (AAP) PreK-12 Learning Group's 2017 "Content in Context" conference held in Philadelphia, PA May 24-26, 2017. This year's conference discusses the impact that technology has had on publishing—from content development to assessment development. FableVision, who teamed up with the SSEC to develop the online professional development series, "Good Thinking!", will discuss the trends in education publishing, including the increasing use of games, growing interest in augmented reality and virtual reality, reporting of learning data from interactives, and integrating of media into student-centered resources. The Golden Lamp Awards, for which "Good Thinking!" is a finalist, will be held in advance of the conference.

May 15, 2017

As part of a new five-year $1.5 million grant program at the George Washington University (GWU) being funded by the National Science Foundation and the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, which begins Fall 2017, GWU will recruit students who are already studying STEM-based fields and offer them courses, workshops, seminars and service projects to prepare them to be teachers in high-need schools. It also will offer preparatory stipends and projects for freshmen and sophomores who are interested in applying to the program, in conjunction with activities offered by a new partnership between GWTeach and the Smithsonian Science Education Center under an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in April 2017 to, among other things, bring GWTeach students to SSEC through its internship program.

May 3, 2017

Kristin Richardson, Chair of the Smithsonian Science Education Center Advisory Board, and her husband, Blair, were honored at Imagine 2017, a gala celebrating the 45 anniversary of the Kempe Center for Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect. Blair and Kristin Richardson are recipients of the 2017 Imhoff Family Community Award which recognizes their 22 years of service to, among other things, the Denver Public School Foundation. Kristin Richardson has been instrumental in supporting the SSEC's Colorado LASER project, which provides the five pillars of LASER—curriculum, professional development, materials support, assessment, and community support through the Denver Museum of Nature and Science—to multiple school districts in the Denver region, including Denver Public Schools, Aurora Public Schools, and Fort Collins.

April 28, 2017

The Houston Independent School District has 48 schools that have been named to the 2016 Texas Honor Roll by the Educational Results Partnership – 6 of which are former LASER i3 schools and 2 of which attended the Teacher Leadership Summit in February 2017.

April 28, 2017

In 1999, the Ocean Studies Board (OSB) launched the Roger Revelle Commemorative Lecture to highlight the important links between ocean science and public policy. The series was named in honor of the late Roger Revelle, a leader in the field of oceanography for over 50 years who spearheaded efforts to investigate the mechanisms and consequences of climate change. In recognition of the critical importance of education in linking science and public policy, the OSB has partnered with the Smithsonian Science Education Center and the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History to bring the Revelle Lecture to a broader audience. The lecture is held annually in conjunction with the OSB meeting in Washington, DC.

April 26, 2017

How can education prepare students for the future? While we do not know what the future of education will look like in 2050, we do know that concepts such as critical thinking, creativity, resilience, and productive failure need to be taught and encouraged in students to prepare for them for a world of uncertainty. In this 2017 report, the Diplomatic Courier summarizes the highlights from the 2017 Global Talent Summit's invited Education Panel, which included Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center.

April 5, 2017

The second volume of the Anthology "Theories and Fundamentals of Inquiry Based Science Teaching" is now available. This Spanish version of the compendium was produced by "Innovation in Science Education (INNOVEC)", which is a science education program that promotes the use of Experiential Education Systems and Investigative Science (SEVIC) among elementary school teachers who teach in public schools in Mexico. Mexico bases their nationwide-reform on the Smithsonian Science Education Center's LASER model. Roger Bybee (NGSS Lead Writer); Bruce Alberts, former President of the US National Academy of Sciences; as well as Carol O'Donnell and Amy D'Amico of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) and the LASER i3 evaluators from the University of Memphis, all contributed chapters to this compendium. If you are interested in the English version of the SSEC chapter, please contact us at: ssecinfo@si.edu.

April 4, 2017

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) and Teach For America (TFA) will collaborate on a series of projects that promote increasing the equity and excellence in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, provide novice teachers with robust, research-based resources and pedagogical training, retain and develop excellent science teachers in the profession, provide a support system for TFA corps members who enter the teaching profession and provide the TFA network with tools for developing excellence in STEM education.

Each project incorporates cutting-edge initiatives and educational tools that are developed to transform the teaching and learning of science and align with Next Generation Science Standards. TFA corps members and alumni will have access to a variety of SSEC’s signature resources and services. Professional and leadership development opportunities as well as researched-based curriculum materials and digital educational tools will be available to support TFA corps members and alumni at all levels of expertise to improve student achievement in the STEM disciplines while helping students to develop and master critical 21st-century skills.

March 29, 2017

The Smithsonian Science Education Center is honored to announce that Good Thinking!: The Science of Teaching Science was named a REVERE Awards finalist in CLASSROOM- Professional Resources- Innovation. In the company of a diverse group of innovative and rich educational resources, Good Thinking!’s achievement shows the exceptional quality of the product which was designed to support K-12 science educators through targeted short-format videos that explore common student ideas and misconceptions.   

Innovation Through Teacher Leadership Summit
May 5-7, 2017
Columbus, Ohio

March 27, 2017

Many schools across the country are trying to appeal to women and minority students by focusing on projects with strong real-world connections – biomedical engineers building health care devices for low-income communities, for instance, or computer science students addressing environmental concerns through innovative software or apps. Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Education Center, will moderate the panel "Making STEM Matter: The Value of Experiential Learning and Grand Challenges," in which several schools will discuss the success they have found in enrolling and engaging more underrepresented students by integrating service and hands-on inquiry-based learning into their curricula. To register for the event, go to: usnewsstemsolutions.com/2017-conference-registration/

March 27, 2017 

President ECOSF Dr. Manzoor Soomro of Bonn, Germany visited the German "TuWaS!" (Technik und Naturwissenschaften an Schulen, Technology and Science in Schools) in Cologne on March 8, 2017. "TuWaS!" promotes inquiry-based science education (IBSE) in primary schools in Germany. It was founded in 2007 as a cooperation between the Freie University Berlin, led by Professor Petra Skiand, the Berlin Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities and is based on the five pillars of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's LASER model: 1) professional development of teachers, (2) providing teaching material, which is (3) curriculum based, (4) the involvement of the community and (5) assessment. TuWaS! has trained over 1000 teachers and serves over 170 primary schools in four different German states.

March 26, 2017

The Dow Chemical Company announced that Andrew Liveris, Dow's chairman and CEO, will receive the U.S. News Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Leadership Hall of Fame Award at the publication's upcoming STEM Solutions National Leadership Conference in San Diego, California. Through its support of the Smithsonian Science Education Academy for Teachers (SSEATs) since 2007, Dow has been helping ignite teachers' and students' excitement for STEM education by exposing teachers to careers in STEM fields.

March 21, 2017

Read more at http://eepurl.com/cGbz3H

March 17, 2017

The Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Dr. Carol O'Donnell, has been invited to give a TEDx talk at TEDxFoggyBottom on April 22, 2017 to be hosted at the George Washington University Campus at the Lisner Auditorium. The 2017 event, whose theme is "Metamorphisis," and will bring together the world's innovators, thinkers, and doers to connect with and empower the Foggy Bottom community. To learn more see: #TEDxFoBo or tedxfoggybottom.com.

March 14, 2017

The Smithsonian Science Education Center was invited to lead part of the "Master Trainer Professional Learning" at the Educational Service District (ESD) 105 in Yakima, Washington. Science Master Trainers are classroom teachers, leaders, and advocates for science education, and "agents of change" for the region. They work with ESD 105 Staff to prepare K-5 teachers for the first use of their instructional materials. ESD 105 is one of the LASER alliances of Washington State LASER.

March 13, 2017

The Smithsonian participated on the Executive Office of the President – Office of Science and Technology Policy and Office of Personnel Management’s taskforce that looked at increasing diversity in the STEM workforce by reducing the impact of bias. This interagency group focused on sharing best practices for increasing diversity in STEM. The Smithsonian shared initiatives such as the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s partnership with Shell Oil Foundation that addresses stereotypes about gender and ethnicity. To view the full report go to Reducing the Impact of Bias in the STEM Workforce: Strengthening Excellence and Innovation or to view the Report's digest go to Report Digest: Reducing the Impact of Bias in the STEM Workforce

March 13, 2017

The Smithsonian reflects the diversity of the American people and the world today and strives to maximize its effectiveness, cultural inclusion and internal diversity by welcoming people of all backgrounds. Diversity and inclusion are also integral are also key components in the Smithsonian Strategic Plan. To assist the Smithsonian in its diversity and inclusion goals, OEEMA developed and published the Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report (DIIR) in an effort to capture and report on the multiplicity of diversity and inclusion related activities around the Institution, including data from the Smithsonian Science Education Center, which meets the criteria of the Smithsonian's diversity and inclusion initiatives.

March 10, 2017

STEM leaders came together from September 26-28, 2016 for a 3-day Next Steps Institute jointly hosted by the Smithsonian Science Education Center, South Carolina Coalition for Mathematics and Science, and South Carolina Afterschool Alliance. During that time, attendees participated in one of seven themed pathway programs on topics ranging from STEM in the after school to the nuts and bolts of instructional materials support. See the institute in review via the video below.

March 6, 2017

On Wednesday evening, a new relationship between the Smithsonian Science Education Center and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (NCNS) was introduced by Dr. Sam Houston, SSEC Advisory Board member, during the State-of-the-NCMNS function. See particularly minutes 13:30 - 24:00. The NCMNS is a Smithsonian Affiliate museum and its mission is to illuminate the interdependence of nature and humanity.

March 2, 2017 

Alexis Daniels who teaches science at Port Allen High School won a $1,000 scholarship to attend the National Science Teacher conference in Los Angeles, March 30 through April 2. Last year Daniels attended the Smithsonian Science Education Academy for Teachers (SSEAT) where she met with scientists who study earth history and climate change. Daniels was asked to help present information to local teachers by SSEAT as the program travels to different states.

February 21, 2017

The Howard University School of Education, in partnership with the Smithsonian Science Education Center, will co-sponsor a national STEM Teacher Leadership Summit to be held at Howard University to promote increased diversification of the STEM teaching field. Preparing a diverse teacher workforce is tied to the early mission of Howard University, noting that the university opened its doors 150 years ago to prepare teachers. This program continues that tradition and further works to prepare a diverse teaching force to create a more diverse population within the STEM disciplines. STEM teachers and leaders from around the nation from underrepresented groups will be in attendance at this event.

February 21, 2017

On February 5-9th, 2017, some 80 participants gathered in Khartoum along with the Sudanese National Commission for Education, Science and Culture; the Sudanese National Academy of Sciences (SNAS); and the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP). At the meeting, IAP coordinator, Peter McGrath, introduced a new project being led by the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC). The project, which will focus on Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases, aims to develop curricula for primary and middle-school-aged children so that they develop an awareness of the dangers of mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit, and how they can reduce the risks of becoming infected. During the one-year project, funded by the Moore Foundation, the curricula developed will be tested, refined, and then also translated into Spanish before being made freely available for download.

February 17, 2017

The InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) Science Education Progamme (SEP) convened a series of meetings recently in Khartoum, Sudan (5-9 February 2017), including a two-day Inquiry-based Science Education (IBSE) Policy Forum (7-8 February).  With the establishment of the IAP in 2016, ongoing projects and programmes, including across health and science education, are now starting to integrate. One example of this is a new project being led by IAP SEP Global Council member, Dr. Carol O’Donnell of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, which will focus on Zika and other Mosquito Borne Diseases. The project, which has just kicked off, aims to develop curricula for primary and middle-school-aged children so that they develop an awareness of the dangers of mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit, and how they can reduce the risks of becoming infected. 

February 15, 2017

Dow and the engineering firm CH2M have partnered with the Smithsonian Science Education Center to bring the Smithsonian STEM Education Forum to Baton Rouge on February 18th. According to a news release, the forum provides 50 local teachers the training to incorporate engineering into their classrooms to advance science, technology, engineering and math education, also known as STEM. The forum will feature experts from the Smithsonian Science Education Center, a unit of the Smithsonian Institution, Dow and CH2M volunteers and two Louisiana Tech professors. Dow STEM Ambassador volunteers and CH2M employee volunteers also will provide continued support to teachers in their classrooms.

February 15, 2017

Committed supporters of STEM education, Dow and CH2M partnered with the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) to bring the Smithsonian STEM Education Forum to Baton Rouge. The Forum provided 50 local teachers with a day of hands-on training that will empower them to incorporate engineering into their classrooms, benefiting hundreds of local students for years to come. The Forum featured experts from SSEC, two professors from Louisiana Tech University, along with Dow and CH2M employee volunteers.

February 14, 2017

February 2, 2017

 KDSL Global Founder Kevin Simpson has been selected to serve as a mentor at the Smithsonian Science Education Center and Shell Oil Company’s Teacher Leadership Summit: Attracting, Retaining, and Developing a Diverse STEM Teaching Workforce this February 2017 at Howard University in Washington, D.C. At this summit, teams of educators will create a plan for attracting, retaining, and developing a diverse STEM teaching workforce in their districts to become catalysts for systemic change.

February 1, 2017

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC)--in collaboration with scientists from the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)--has received a grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to develop "Zika!", an online, inquiry-based science education (IBSE) curriculum module for K-8 teachers and students to address the challenges and mitigation of mosquito-borne diseases, with a particular focus on the dengue and Zika viruses.

January 29, 2017

How do we prepare our K-12 students for the workforce of tomorrow? Listen to Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, at the 2017 Global Talent Summit as she discusses our role as educators in working with both the public and private sector to prepare our students for the unprecedented changes they face in tomorrow's STEM workforce.

January 27, 2017

The Smithsonain Science Education Center was featured on the Liverpool Central School District website in Liverpool, New York. The article showcases how teachers at Long Brance Elementary and Willow Field Elementary are using our curriculum in their classrooms. 

January 27, 2017

In this month's blog, Richard Byrne, author of "Free Technology for Teachers," highlights free resources from the Smithsonian designed for elementary school students and teachers. Three of the five resources are from the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Check it out!

January 22, 2017

How can we prepare for a post-employment society? Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, reminds listeners during the Global Talent Summit 2017 that in addition to the technological, economic, socio-economic, and political dimensions of a Post Employment World, the voice of the "educator" must be heard when discussing the issue of filling the skills gap by 2050. What can we, as educators, do to ensure our students are 21st Century ready?

January 18, 2017

January 13, 2017

At STEMxchange 2016 in Dallas, Dr. Carol O’Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), briefed attendees on a five-year validation study conducted by the University of Memphis Center for Research on Educational Policy (CREP). O'Donnell told STEMx attendees that the idea of experiential learning isn’t as novel today as it was when SSEC was founded, as more and more states adopt this form of STEM teaching in their K-8 classrooms. In this article, STEMx authors summarize O’Donnell's STEMx talk, which explained the impacts of LASER's experiential learning on both students and teachers, leading to better learning outcomes, especially for students who are typically underserved in STEM. As STEMx notes, "That’s a huge contribution to the education field."

January 9, 2017

The SSEC's curriculum, Science and Technology for Children (STC), is highlighted throughout the book, "Teaching Science in Elementary and Middle School: A Project-based Approach" by Joe Krajcik and charlene Czerniak (Routledge, 2014). This book offers in-depth information about the fundamental features of project-based science and strategies for implementing the approach. In project-based science classrooms students investigate, use technology, develop artifacts, collaborate, and make products to show what they have learned. Paralleling what scientists do, project-based science represents the essence of inquiry and the nature of science. Project-based science embodies the principles in A Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards. Blending principles of learning and motivation with practical teaching ideas, this text shows how project-based learning is related to ideas in the Framework and provides concrete strategies for meeting its goals.

January 5, 2017

The Smithsonian is the "world's largest museum, education, and research complex." In this month's "Smithsonian Torch", the Secretary of the Smithsonian, Dr. David Skorton, reflects on his goal to increase research in the arts, humanities and sciences; expand outreach; and share resources. In his words, "The Smithsonian Science Education Center is just one of several recent initiatives that has inspired our new description, “the world’s largest museum, education and research complex.” As the Smithsonian has grown, so has our responsibility to share everything we do; throughout the Institution, educators are working with curators, scientists, and others to reach and teach people, within and beyond our walls.

January 4, 2017

This podcast highlights SSEC National Advisory Board Member, Dr. Terry Bergeson, who discusses the importance of education. Dr. Bergeson, former State Superintendent of Washington, is the Interim Dean of Education and Kinesiology at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.

December 29, 2016

Read more at http://eepurl.com/ctS-tL

December 21, 2016

More than 300 educators from across Central New York converged on Nov. 8 for a "Lesson Study Elementary Science Conference"--perhaps the first of its kind in the US--that offered four “live” research lessons based on SSEC units in which students and teachers engaged in practices aligned with New York's State new science standards while participants observed and took notes. The conference,  which is intended to help educators visualize New York State's newly proposed science standards in action, marked a unique collaboration between the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services (OCM BOCES), the Syracuse University School of Education, and the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC). 

December 19, 2016

Over 300 educators attended a conference in NY which included live classroom demonstrations of lessons from the SSEC's new "Smithsonian Science in the Classroom" curriculum using a professional development technique called "lesson study," popular in Japan. The conference was organized by OCM BOCES, along with Syracuse University, two field partners collaborating with the Smithsonian Science Education Center on a $200,000 grant from 100kin10 to help school districts implement the new standards. Seventy teachers will participate in grant-supported work over two years. In the first year, they will teach lessons based on materials developed by the Smithsonian. In year two, teachers will receive two days of professional development related to lesson study and be asked to engage in one research cycle related to supporting early elementary students engaging in engineering practices.

The Smithsonian Science Education Center and the LASER model is named as a Colorado STEM Partner–organizations partner with The Colorado Education Initiative (CEI) to execute the work outlined in the Colorado STEM Education Roadmap.

December 15, 2016

The University of Memphis has received a $1.5 million U.S. Department of Education National Professional Development grant from the Office of English Language Acquisition. The five-year grant was awarded to the Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP) for “LASER Focused: A Model for Teaching Inquiry-Based Science to English Learners” and is based on the Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) model developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC). The SSEC is a sub-awardee on the grant and will develop the new science education materials for teachers of English Learners, then train facilitators to provide professional development to 225 teachers in Denver and Aurora.

December 5, 2016

Teach to Lead held its 11^th teacher leadership summit in Chicago December 2-4^th, 2016 to rave reviews. Focusing on Inclusion, Equity and Opportunity, 28 teams from 18 states and Pakistan joined to incubate their ideas for combating inequities and fighting for social justice on behalf of students. Ideas ranged from unique challenges and barriers based on race/ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual identity, gender, or religion and addressed multiple issues, including increasing teacher diversity.

December 5, 2016

The Smithsonian Science Education Center will develop new educational materials on preventing soil erosion for its new comprehensive Elementary curriculum called “Smithsonian Science for the Classroom”, which was highlighted by the White House, who announced new steps to advance soil sustainability. The SSEC currently distributes its existing curriculum to 6.5 million students in 1,454 school districts in all 50 states.

December 5, 2016

The Smithsonian Science Education Center's Good Thinking! video, "Sending Learning Styles Out of Style" was highlighted as a good resource for understanding how students learn.

November 30, 2016

Dow and CH2M identified teachers from strategic locations across the US (e.g. California, Louisiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas) to attend the Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers (SSEATs), week-long academies designed to heighten STEM teachers’ ability to inspire and enlighten their students. The teachers then took their experiences back to their classrooms. They continued their professional growth through peer networking, mentoring and interaction with Dow and CH2M employee volunteers.

November 22, 2016

Fort Collins, CO teacher, Lisa Musante, who was originally trained in aeronautics, is now in her fifth year as the Science & Engineering Interventionist at Tavelli Elementary in Fort Collins. In this post, Mrs. Musante discusses her role as Tavelli's Site Coordinator during the adoption of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) program in Colorado

November 22, 2016

The "Kata to Grow" website provides users with materials and instructions for introducing a pattern of practical scientific thinking in the classroom, through a 50-minute, hands-on exercise called Kata in the Classroom. Kata recently highlighted the Smithsonian Science Education Center's Good Thinking! video, "That's so Meta(cognitive)." 

November 20, 2016

NIBIB's science education page, which recently highlighted the Smithsonian Science Education Center, is meant to be a resource for students, parents, teachers, and anyone interested in biomedical imaging and bioengineering. On the site, you’ll find answers to commonly asked questions about medical imaging and bioengineering technologies and learn about NIBIB-funded research. You’ll also find links to websites, organizations, and events that promote science education and encourage scientific discovery.

November 20, 2016

The Smithsonian Office of Fellowships and Internships highlighted Anusha Holavanahali, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, who spent her summer developing curriculum at the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC). She used roly polys to help students learn about what animals need to survive, and how to best protect animals in case of habitat changes. 

November 20, 2016

As Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, and robotic technology advance, highly skilled jobs demanding high wages will be eliminated. As educators, how can we prepare our students for a post-employment society? Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, has been invited as a panelist to address these questions and more on the panel, "How Education Can Prepare You for the Future of Work." The Global Talent Summit 2017 will take place in Zurich, Switzerland January 14, 2017 and will be streamed live around the world.

November 12, 2016

Eric Nastasi, Division Director of Advancement, and other STEM experts, were interviewed by the New York Family, a monthly family lifestyle magazine focused on the interests, needs, and concerns of New York City parents. Eric discussed what STEM looks like in the classroom and why it’s a vital part of modern-day learning. In particular, Eric shared with readers information about the Smithsonian Science Education Center's STEM-based curriculum, which is used in schools across the country, and locally at the Alexander Robertson School.

November 9, 2016

Dr. Marjee Chmiel, Division Director for Curriculum & Communications of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, served as the Keynote Speaker for the Texas Science Education Leadership Association (TSELA) Fall Meeting in San Antonio, Texas on November 9, 2019. There, she spoke on the importance of knowing + doing for STEM education, and connected the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s approach to transforming science education to data demonstrating its effectiveness.

November 9, 2016

Division Director of Curriculum and Communications, Dr. Marjee Chmiel, completed a four-week trip to Southeast Asia where she spoke with Ministries of Education of Indonesia and Malaysia about the work in STEM education being spearheaded by Smithsonian Science Education Center. She served as a juror for the awards for best science teacher of Southeast Asia. She was the keynote speaker of the Mathematics, Science, and Computer Science Education International Seminiar in Bandung, Indonesia. While there, she also met with the Minister of Science Technology and Innovation of Malaysia and toured the Petronas Science Center in Kuala Lumpur.

November 9, 2016

Dr. Amy D'Amico, Division Director of Professional Services for the Smithsonian Science Education Center in Washington, D.C., recently traveled to Baton Rouge for a consultation with The Dunham School Science Department and administrators. Dr. D’Amico spent three days observing in classrooms, meeting with faculty and administration, touring facilities and planning with school leaders regarding the school’s strategic plan for the future of its STEM and Innovation Program.

November 8, 2016

More than 300 educators from across Central New York converged on Roxboro Road Middle School in Mattydale on November 8, 2016 for a science conference that offers four “live” research lessons in which students and teachers engaged in practices aligned with the new state science standards. This sold out conference was co-hosted by the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services (OCM BOCES), the Syracuse University School of Education, the Smithsonian Science Education Center, and several local teacher centers.

November 7, 2016

MSPnet held a webinar on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 8:00 pm Eastern Time promoting the availability of Federal resources for P-12 Educators.  The webinar, which was organized by the Committee on STEM Education (CoSTEM), highlighted the work of the US Department of Energy, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, the Smithsonian Science Education Center, and MSPnet. This live broadcast discussed federal funding sources for P-12 educators, professional development opportunities, and detail other tools and resources available for use in the classroom.

Read more at http://www.literacyworldwide.org/blog/literacy-daily/2016/05...

November 7, 2016

The national organization 100kin10 designed an online resource that outlines a series of activities that teachers could integrate into their classrooms during the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Active Learning Day on October 25th, 2016 – and, of course, beyond! These brief activities, curated from and by 100Kin10 partners, leading organizations in STEM teaching, are divided by grade level and subject area and designed to facilitate "Active Learning" experiences for teachers and their students.

November 7, 2016

In October 2015, Museum President and Director Ioannis Miaoulis met with U.S. Senator Edward Markey, U.S. Representative Paul Tonko, and key congressional education committee staff. He also met with the Greek Ambassador to the U.S., Christos P. Panagopoulos, and important contacts at the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Education, the Smithsonian Science Education Center, and the Embassy of the Czech Republic. In every case, Miaoulis discussed the importance of STEM (science, education, engineering, and technology) education, our efforts to introduce K-12 and informal engineering and computer science education, and how we might best collaborate going forward. As a follow-up to this visit, the Smithsonian Science Education Center and The Museum of Science, Boston officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in October 2016 to work together to advance engineering education in schools and informal learning environments.

November 2, 2016

On November 2, 2016, the Smithsonian Science Education Center, sponsored by Carolina Biological, shared strategies and insights on creating, collaborating, communicating, designing and innovating from kindergarten on up at the South Carolina Science Council Annual Conference, held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Participants previewed the Smithsonian Science Education Center's new engineering modules for grades 1 through 5.

November 1, 2016

The Smithsonian Science Education Center National Advisory Board toured Johnston County Industries (JCI) materials center in Selma, NC. Bill Sharek, President & CEO of JCI, welcomed the group to the Center, provided an overview of JCI’s mission, goals and operations, and lead the group on a tour of the facilities to help the board members understand how Johnston County Industries (JCI) and Johnston County Schools are successfully working together to provide the teachers and students in Johnston County with effective, stream-lined science education procedures and tools.

October 2016

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) Program Specialist Katie Gainsback attended an i3 Project Directors Meeting with the U.S. Department of Education where she was asked to sit down for an on-camera interview about the SSEC’s ED-funded work. Sound bites from that interview along with other i3 projects were edited into a video answering the question “Why is innovation so important in schools?”

October 30, 2016

The Smithsonian Science Education Center partnered with two of the Smithsonian Affiliates in October 2016. In North Carolina, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences hosted the Smithsonian Science Education Center's National Advisory Board Meeting and associated activities in Raleigh on October 17th, 2016.  In Colorado, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Smithsonian Science Education Center collaborated on workshops on Building Awareness for Science Education in Denver, October 24th-25th, 2016.

October 28, 2016

Katherine Blanchard, Program Specialist for the Smithsonian Science Education Center's Professional Services Division, traveled to Mexico City, Mexico from October 25-28 to attend the 2016 CLASE conference sponsored by IFIE - Instituto de Fomento e Investigación Educativa (Institute for Educational Research and Development). There she sat on a panel entitled “Learning by Doing” with panelists from Australia and Mexico to discuss the power of STEM education and inquiry-based education. You can learn more about the conference and watch the webcast here.

October 26, 2016

The Pennsylvania Science Matters e-Blast October 2016 issue highlights two resources related to the Smithsonian Science Education Center. Cheryl Rush Dix will present at the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association (PSTA) Conference November 30 - December 2, 2016 and will discuss the implementation of a K-12 science program based upon the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for the Erie School District. Cheryl will share lessons learned in developing the curriculum, professional development, and implementation of the new curriculum based on the Smithsonian Science Education Center's Theory of Action. Also referenced in the e-Blast is the November 1, 2016 webinar co-hosted by the Smithsonian Science Education Center, the Department of Energy, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which provided resources, tools, classroom materials, and PD opportunities for P-12 science educators. You can read the e-Blast here. 

October 25, 2016

Chevron’s Enjoy Science Project is a US $30 million, 5-year, public private partnership to strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness and innovation by improving science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and technical vocational education and training (TVET) across the country. This Chevron project has integrated the Smithsonian's Science and Technology for Children (STC) curriculum with practical trainings to continuously increase the competency of teachers as well as to enhance their preparation and ability to lead inquiry-based learning activities. The goal is to will help students to think like scientists and put them on a pathway to successful STEM careers. These students will become the driving force behind the achievement of Thailand 4.0. To read more about how the LASER project served as the foundation of the Chevron Enjoy Science Project, go to: The Chevron Enjoy Science Newsletter - Issue No. 8.

October 25, 2016 

On October 25, 2016, the Smithsonian Science Education Center in collaboration with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Colorado STEM, and the Colorado Education Initiative hosted a one-day program to Build Awareness for STEM Education (BASE) and to discuss the work currently taking place to scale up the Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) model in Colorado. Click here to learn more about the Smithsonian Science Education Center's leadership development opportunities and BASE events. 

Check out the US Department of Energy's Fermilab Resources for NGSS and STEM Fact Sheet. To learn more about Fermilab's institutes, look at this poster titled "Implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards - Science and Engineering Practices", presented at Smithsonian Science Education Center, 2015 Regional Leaders Meeting. 

October 20, 2016 

Dr. Brian Mandell, Curriculum Developer for the Smithsonian Science Education Center, presented at the Annual Conference of the Massachusetts Science Education Leadership Association (MSELA) October 20, 2016. During his presentation, Dr. Mandell discussed the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and what the Smithsonian Science Education Center is doing to address these standards; provided examples of phenomenon and problems through an engineering design mini-challenge; summarized the results of the Smithsonian Science Education Center's five-year Investing in Innovation (i3) Validation study of its Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) model; and shared next steps with the Smithsonian Science Education Center’s new grade 1-5 learning framework. Click here to learn more about the conference.

October 18, 2016

October 11, 2016

The Stanford Social Innovation Review published a piece about 100Kin10 and their networked impact approach to collaboration and tackling challenges in the effort to train and retain 100,000 excellent STEM teachers. The Smithsonian Science Education Center is a recent recipient of a 100kin10 grant to support this effort. 

October 7, 2016

STEMx was eager to tell its members about the success of the Next Steps Institute, co-organized by the Smithsonian Science Education Center, South Carolina Coalition for Mathematics and Science, and the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance, held in Charleston, SC on September 26-28th. This conference featured no less than five different STEMx members in the SSEC-lead "State Leaders in STEM” pathway. According to STEMx, "This conference changed minds."

September 21, 2016

Five BISD teachers were chosen from across the country to be a part of Dow Chemical-CH2M’s Smithsonian Teacher Scholar Program this summer.

September 1, 2016

Dr. Lisa Kenyon, who has participated in workshops at the Smithsonian Science Education Center, where she addressed teachers and administrators from across the country, discusses her role in STEM education. Dr. Kenyon is the Robert J. Kegerreis Distinguished Professor of Teaching at Wright State University.

August 30, 2016

Every day, people are making decisions that may impact their future. Decisions presumably based on an evaluation of the risks of choosing a or b over c. Governments and NGO's, too, must weigh alternative scenarios, account for the risk involved in each one, and arrive at the best option to feed into policy. However, the concept of ‘risk’ is not one that is easily communicated to youth, the public, or to governments.  To address this issue, the IAP Science Education Programme (SEP) was invited by the National Science Museum of Thailand to participate in a special panel session on ‘Risk Communication on Public Issue: Mosquito-borne diseases – a case study’, held during Thailand’s National Science and Technology Fair on 25 August 2016. As a result of that meeting, a project being developed by the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) Science Education Programme (SEP) is to design school curricula for primary and secondary students (aged 8-17) and their teachers that will use inquiry-based science education (IBSE) methods to address the socio-scientific challenges and mitigation of mosquito-borne illnesses. This project is being led by Carol O’Donnell at the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) in Washington DC – an IAP SEP Global Council member.

Read more at https://ssec.si.edu/sites/default/files/DA%20Smithsonian%20M...

July 2016 

Read more at http://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/ey-citizen-today-ju...

July 16, 2016

The Onondaga-Cortland-Madison (OCM) BOCES Center for Innovative Science Education will host a conference this November 2016 to help launch the regional implementation of the New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS), which were put before the New York State Board of Regents in mid-June. 

July 7, 2016

Read more at http://www.plu.edu/marcom/news/2016/07/07/interim-dean-educa...

June 23, 2016

The Dow-CH2M Smithsonian Teacher Scholar Program, designed to help teachers develop skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, will bring 34 teachers from five states to Washington, D.C., this summer to participate in professional development academies at the Smithsonian.

June 22, 2016 

Teachers from five states will travel to Washington, D.C. to begin a year-long professional development opportunity

Read more at http://www.dow.com/news/press-releases/dow%20ch2m%20and%20sm...

June 20, 2016

Dr Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, and Dr. Amy D'Amico, Division Director of Professional Services, were hosts on the 100Kin10 Spotlight Series webinar sharing the reults of the i3 Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) study in your work. Click here to access the deck from the webinar as well as a recording.

June 17, 2016

Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center discusses the latest national trends in STEM Education with Washington State educators in a series of three-hour workshops hosted throughout Washington State. Topics included the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS); moving ahead with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA); the latest research on the efficacy of the Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER); and, the expansion of the Smithsonian’s Science and Technology Concepts (STC) K-8 materials.

June 15, 2016 

June 10, 2016

Invited to be among the many firsts of historical space achievements celebrated at Space Day, the Enterprises in Space team (EIS) was thrilled to participate in collaboration with the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) at this year's Space Day, held June 14, 2016 at the National Air and Space Museum to promote their focus on the importance of integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). This year’s event drew some 30,000 visitors from around the world and included a presentation by astronaut Terry Virts.

We are pleased that the Maryland State Department of Education, in partnership with Teach to Lead will host its first Teacher Leadership Summit in Annapolis on July 19-20, 2016.

May 27, 2016

Times Square in New York City

May 18, 2016 

The Smithsonian Science Education Center is teaming up with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where the physicist's archives are kept, to promote the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (collectively known as "STEM").

May 11, 2016

Enterprise In Space (EIS), an international program of the National Space Society (NSS), is excited to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), the only unit at the Smithsonian Institution that is solely dedicated to formal K-12 science education reform.

May 2016

ASCD Teacher Impact Grants (TIGs) provide funding and support directly to teachers for promising teacher-led, administrator-supported ideas, programs, or initiatives to improve education. These grants allow teachers to develop and execute projects that can serve as models to be replicated and scaled.

The program provides the flexibility, funding, and evaluation support necessary to meet the unique needs of promising teacher-led projects. The grants cultivate the expertise of teachers and help to position them as leaders driving transformation in schools, districts, and states.

Read more at http://www.ascd.org/programs/teacher-impact-grants.aspx

May 4, 2016

This article highlights the Smithsonian Science Education Center's YouTube Channel as a great science education resource. 

Read more at http://machinedesign.com/blog/where-has-all-tv-science-gone

April 28, 2016

Science education gets smart over the use of smartphones in learning, both for teachers and students. From making a call to a portable camera and an endless stream of entertainment, the smartphone is an integral part of modern life. In her talk at a 2016 Abu Dhabi Education Council event, Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, talks about the role of the phone as a tool for data collection in science classrooms.

April 22, 2016

April 6, 2016

Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) Board Member and female engineer Simone Acha, along with SSEC Director, Carol O'Donnell, worked with hundreds of students to design, build, and test the motion of model cars using an activity from the STC unit, Motion and Design, during a one-day STEM Symposium sponsored by WashingtonExec in Fairfax, VA.

March 28, 2016

Dr. Jorge Allende, Professor on the Faculty of Medicine and National Natural Sciences since 1992, discusses the 40 some international experts in science education, including Dr. Carol O'Donnell and Dr. Amy D'Amico of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, who will present at an international conference on science education to be held at the University of Chile in Santiago.

Round table discussion with Dr. Amy D'Amico

Presentation with Dr. Carol O'Donnell

March 22, 2016

In this NSTA webinar we will share results from a recent 5-year rigorous i3 study of our Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform model and discuss the role of the instructional leader in the changing STEM landscape.

March 2016

HISD just completed a five-year study with the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC), and the lessons learned from it will be benefitting HISD students for years to come.

March 8, 2016

SSEC is highlighted for our participation in 100Kin10 -- a coalition of universities, nonprofits and government agencies that aims to train and keep 100,000 new STEM teachers by 2021.

March 2016

March 2016

100Kin10, a national network coordinating and accelerating efforts to bring 100,000 excellent science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teachers into schools by 2021, announced today that the Smithsonian Science Education Center has been accepted as a partner.

February 29, 2016

SSEC is highlighted as an organization that recognizes the important role that K-12 plays in developing global STEM talent.

February 20, 2016

Four College of William & Mary students discuss what the world might look like in 2050, and what skills we will all need to develop, after attending the Diplomatic Courier‘s third annual Global Talent Summit in Washington, DC. SSEC is highlighted as contributing to the four critical trends that emerged during the Summit: the importance of skill development, changes to school curricula, the need to bridge the gap between enterprise and academia, and fostering a global perspective.

February 18, 2016

Read more at http://blogs.houstonisd.org/news/2016/02/18/hisd-names-bush-...

February 17, 2016

Read more at http://www.cnet.com/news/making-stem-your-daughters-bff-harv...

February 2016

February 1, 2016

February 1, 2016

Dr. Carol O'Donnell, Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, discusses the role of K-12 science education in preparing students for a competitive global STEM workforce.

Read more at http://bit.ly/22oR1Ll

January 2016

December 21, 2015

August 3, 2015

Read more at http://laboutloud.com/2015/08/episode-130-good-thinking/

September 11, 2015

Read more at http://www.fablevisionstudios.com/blog/2015/9/10/animated-pr...

March 7, 2014

Read more at https://youtu.be/zkoecLFvxHY?list=UU-q74vp_o9lSUi-_MaDAqbA

2014

Read more at http://cdn.assets-phoenix.net/content/dam/altcloud/doc/indus...

August 2014

Read more at http://www.ssec.si.edu/sites/default/files/blogpost/Dow%20ST...

May 1, 2014

Read more at http://www.newyorkfamily.com/new-york-family-partner-plantin...

October 14, 2013

Read more at http://prosperity2020.com/2013/10/science-learning-through-i...

September 16, 2013

Read more at http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20130916/NJNEWS/30916...

July 23, 2013

Read more at http://blogs.houstonisd.org/news/2013/07/23/hisd-teachers-en...

March 10, 2014

More than 40 young professionals from varied backgrounds and diverse careers attended a reception in Manhattan to learn more about the Touro College and University System (TCUS). The event was hosted by SSEC Board Member Carol Feinberg, who is committed to improving educational opportunities for youth. Touro offers professional and graduate programs in fields that include education, law, medicine, pharmacy, social work and business and is one of the largest health care educational systems in the nation.