Smithsonian Summer Camp, a program of the Smithsonian Associates, provides one-of-a-kind learning experiences that spark the imagination and create plenty of fun. National Smithsonian Associates programs for teachers and students bring the Smithsonian’s world of knowledge into classrooms across the country.
The Smithsonian’s commitment to reach Americans beyond Washington, DC, has never been stronger. New collaborations are taking shape between the Smithsonian and museums, cultural and educational organizations, and communities across the nation. The Smithsonian’s national programs offer a variety of traveling exhibits, educational workshops, cultural presentations, and partnership opportunities, all of which can be tailored and combined to meet the needs of organizations and communities across America. Visit the Smithsonian Across America Web site, saa.si.edu, to view a calendar of Smithsonian exhibitions and programs taking place in your state. Four Smithsonian units work together to achieve this national outreach mission; they are described on the following pages.
Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor (shown), Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Antonin Scalia are among the distinguished guests presented by the Smithsonian Associates. Noted authors, scientists, historians, sports personalities, and cultural figures are also in the spotlight at public programs.
The Smithsonian Associates, established in 1965, offers access to the Smithsonian’s world of knowledge through innovative, engaging programming that promotes learning, enrichment, and creativity for people of all ages.
The largest museum-based educational program in the world, the Smithsonian Associates annually offers more than 750 lectures, performances, studio art classes, and study tours to its members and the general public.
Performances at Discovery Theater, museum sleepovers, and more than 90 educationally focused summer camps foster the joys of learning for young people and their families, and offer them a gateway to the Smithsonian’s rich array of museums and resources.
Teachers and students across the country make the Smithsonian part of their classrooms through the Smithsonian Associates’ extensive national education outreach program, which brings Smithsonian-designed content and experts to a wide range of partnering museums and other community sites.
In partnership with George Mason University, a master of arts degree program in the history of decorative arts provides training for the next generation of curators, design specialists, and researchers.
For more information about the Smithsonian Associates’ programs or membership opportunities, call 202-633-3030 or visit smithsonianassociates.org.
Smithsonian Affiliations is a national outreach program that develops long-term, high-quality partnerships with museums and educational organizations to share collections, exhibitions, learning opportunities, and research expertise. Each year more than 20 million visitors to affiliated organizations experience the Smithsonian in their neighborhoods, where they have the opportunity to view major works of art, historic spacecraft, natural specimens, and icons of American history. Beyond offering exhibits and artifacts, Smithsonian Affiliations reaches across the nation to provide educational programs for K–12 students and adult learners. Smithsonian Affiliations also collaborates with partner organizations on membership and marketing. For more information regarding Smithsonian Affiliations, call 202-633-5300 or visit affiliations.si.edu.
Visitors at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, view the Apollo 9 space capsule, on loan from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.
The Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access produces and delivers Smithsonian educational experiences, services, and products informed by research and Smithsonian expertise and collections. Focusing on the needs of teachers and students, it collaborates with other educational organizations, especially to offer professional development. The Center’s Web site, Smithsonian Learning Lab, is an engaging digital destination for educators and learners of all abilities to discover, create, and share resources and ideas while developing knowledge and skills critical for academic and professional success. To explore this inspiring learning environment and to contact the Center, visit learninglab.si.edu.
Students create an exhibit using Smithsonian-based learning techniques.
“Titanoboa: Monster Snake,” an exhibition that examines the discovery of a prehistoric 48-foot long, 2,500-pound snake is touring museums nationwide.
The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, DC, for more than 65 years. SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science, and history. Exhibitions are shown not only in museums but also wherever people live, work, and play: in libraries, science centers, historical societies, community centers, botanical gardens, schools, and shopping malls. Exhibition descriptions and tour schedules are available on the Web. For more information, call 202-633-3168 or visit sites.si.edu.
