15
Nov

October in Review

Smithsonian Science Education Center National Advisory Board Dinner & Meeting

The Smithsonian Science Education Center held its Fall National advisory board events, which included a private tour of the National Museum of American History’s (NMAH) Spark Lab and presentations in their boardroom, a dinner at the National Academy of Science (NAS), and the semi-annual board meeting at the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Services (SITES).

On Monday, October 2nd NMAH Education Specialist, Tricia Edwards, conducted the private tour of the Spark Lab. The board then convened to the boardroom for lunch and a presentation from NMAH Director of Education, Carrie Kotcho, on American Innovations in an Age of Discovery, followed by a presentation from SSEC publisher, Carolina Biological (CBSC), on their marketing plan. Dinner was held at the end of the day at NAS in their Great Hall. Jay Labov, Senior Advisor for Education and Communication for NAS, provided welcoming remarks to the board and guest.

The board meeting was held on Tuesday, October 3rd at SITES.  The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from SITES Director, Myriam Springuel and was followed by a presentation from Secretary David Skorton on the new strategic plan, One Smithsonian. Delphia Ridley and Christie Senft from the ASEA Advancement office also presented at the meeting. In the afternoon, the meeting then moved to the Smithsonian Affiliations National Conference for presentations

At the Smithsonian Affiliations National, the Smithsonian Science Education Center hosted a panel consisting of representatives from the Center, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) board, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science (NCMNS), and their board.  The panel provided an overall summary of LASER and its 5 pillars, highlighting the role of affiliates under pillar #5--the community partner. 

 

2017 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and The International Monetary Fund

On Wednesday, October 11th, Director Carol O’Donnell, presented 2017 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and The International Monetary Fund. O’Donnell presented in one of their sessions titled New Economy Talk: The Role of STEM Education in Preparing Future Global Talent hosted by Ana Rold. O’Donnell’s presentation was centered around The Role of Primary and Secondary Teachers and Leaders in Developing a Competitive STEM Workforce. O’Donnell’s presentation is available online: http://www.imf.org/external/mmedia/view.aspx?vid=5607014056001

Additionally, O'Donnell, had an article published by the Diplomatic Courier, which discusses the role STEM educators play in developing future global talent.  

 

 

Delaware Science Coalition Retreat

O'Donnell provided the keynote address at the Delaware Science Coalition Retreat in Delaware on October 20th. The Delaware Science Coalition is a partnership whose purpose is to improve the teaching and learning of science in Delaware. The partnership includes the Delaware State Department of Education, Delaware school districts, and representatives of the Delaware business community. Delaware was the first state to scale up the Smithsonian's Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) model across the state in 2001, and because of this effort, all school districts in Delaware now use methods aligned with inquiry-based science education. 

 

 

 

100Kin10 D.C. Back-to-School Breakfast

On October 26th The Smithsonian Science Education Center hosted the 100Kin10 D.C. Back-to-School Breakfast in our offices. The 3-hour breakfast brought together local 100Kin10 partners to reignite the conversation, relationships, and collaborations that will drive the partnerships STEM teaching work forward in the year ahead. Margo Anderson, Associate Assistant Deputy Secretary at the Department of Education, briefed attendees on the new Administration’s recent research and development priorities and what they might mean for shared STEM teaching goals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All images courtesy of C.O'Donnell

Related Tags

About the Author

Kate Echevarria
Human Resources Liaison

202-633-2959

EchevarriaK@si.edu

Kate Echevarria is the Human Resources Liaison for the Smithsonian Science Education Center. She is responsible for handling recruitment, internships, performance management, and all aspects of human resources at the Center. She was previously the Executive Office Manager at SSEC for 10 years. Prior to SSEC, Kate was in human resource management having worked for an international hotel chain, the U.S. Government, and a science non-profit.