Coral Reef Tank Talk
Swim by the Sant Ocean Hall to meet some of the coral reef species that call the Smithsonian NMNH home! Hosted by an Ocean Educator, this interactive cart experience will walk you through the world of saltwater fish, coral colonies, and invertebrates galore!
Image Credit: Sant Ocean Hall, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, from the main hall, 2nd floor. Photo by Jennifer Renteria, Smithsonian.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Science on a Sphere
Come explore our blue planet with NMNH Ocean Educators. Through NOAA’s Science on a Sphere technology, you’ll encounter a series of interactive visualizations projected on the Sant Ocean Hall’s giant globe. Watch sea turtles migrate coast to coast, track ships through global waters in real-time, explore the changing climate patterns shaping our planet, and much more!
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, April 25, 2024, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
In Search of Denisovans in the Altai Mountains
The discovery of the first fossil of the Denisovans, a sister population to the Neanderthals, in 2010 revealed an otherwise completely unknown hominin population and highlighted a major challenge in studying our ancestors – finding their physical remains in the archaeological record. Bone is easily broken down into small fragments over time and the vast majority of bone found during excavations can’t be identified to species.
In this presentation, Samantha Brown, archaeological scientist and Junior Group Leader for Palaeoproteomics at the University of Tübingen, will discuss the use of a technique called ZooMS in the search for new human remains amongst these vast assemblages of bone fragments and the discovery of Denisova 11 (nicknamed “Denny”), the only known hybrid of a Neanderthal mother and a Denisovan father.
Moderator: Briana Pobiner, paleoanthropologist and educator at Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
This program is part of the ongoing HOT (Human Origins Today) Topic series and…
Event Location: Online; Internet connection required. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/70998949/in-search-of-denisovans-in-the-altai-mountains-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: Webcasts & Online. Accessibility: Captioning.
Thursday, April 25, 2024, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. Oysters, Scallops, and Mussels, Oh My!
Have you ever wondered what a scallop or an oyster eats, or where the shellfish on your plate came from? Come meet some experts on the topic! Warning: discussions may induce hunger or an interest in shellfish aquaculture.
Presented by: Dr. Kayla Mladinich Poole and Dr. Diana Perry, Oceanographer and Ecologist, NOAA Knauss Fellows.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Thursday, April 25, 2024, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Ocean Explorer Theater Spotlight
Looking for a deeper dive into ocean topics like animal adaptations, behavior, biodiversity, or ecology? Come and join one of our Ocean Educators in Explorer Theater to watch short videos, explore specimens, and learn more about our blue planet!
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Explorer Theater in the Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, April 26, 2024, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Ocean Topics Cart Chat
Looking for a deeper dive into ocean topics? Come and find one of our Ocean Educators to explore some of the latest discoveries in marine science, stationed at an interactive cart in the Sant Ocean Hall.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, April 29, 2024, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: Colorful Corals
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
Tuesday, April 30 is all about exploring coral reefs! Families will learn about coral polyps (the tiny animals that help to build-up the reef), create their own artwork inspired by coral reefs, and look up close at coral specimens from the museum’s collection.
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners (ages 0-5) and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in the Explorer Theater in the Sant Ocean Hall on the 1st floor of the museum.
Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time captioning (CART), or audio-description are available with advanced notice. However, accommodations may not be possible with less than two-weeks advanced notice. To request this service, please call (202) 633-5238 or e-mail…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Explorer Theater in Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Coral Reef Tank Talk
Swim by the Sant Ocean Hall to meet some of the coral reef species that call the Smithsonian NMNH home! Hosted by an Ocean Educator, this interactive cart experience will walk you through the world of saltwater fish, coral colonies, and invertebrates galore!
Image Credit: Sant Ocean Hall, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, from the main hall, 2nd floor. Photo by Jennifer Renteria, Smithsonian.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
The World and Me: Amphibian Week Kickoff Celebration with the USDA Forest Service and Friends!
Learn more about your place in the world through explorations of nature and culture.
Come celebrate Amphibian Week with a special kickoff event at The World & Me inside Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center! Join us Saturday, May 4th, as we learn about amphibians with our friends from the USDA Forest Service, US Navy, US Geological Survey, and more. Families with learners of all ages will be invited to explore different stations, see live amphibians, and explore play, art, and related museum collections.
This is a drop-in event. Families can drop in anytime from 10:00am - 12:30pm and stay for as long as your family would like. No registration is required. Cost: Free.
Location: Meet at the entrace of Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground Floor of the museum. Q?rius is located next to the Constitution Avenue entrance.
Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time captioning (CART), or audio-description are…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, Ground Floor. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, May 4, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: At Home in a Habitat
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
On Tuesday, May 7, explore the different needs animals have that keep them safe and healthy in their habitat. During this Play Date at NMNH, families will practice identifying needs of animals and create habitats out of different play materials.
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners (ages 0-5) and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground Floor of the museum. Please enter through the Constitution Avenue entrance. Q?rius is located on the right as you enter the museum.
Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time captioning (CART), or audio-description are available with advanced notice. However, accommodations may not be possible with less…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center (Ground Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 7, 2024, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
The Making of the "Cellphone: Unseen Connections" Exhibit
Curated by a cultural anthropologist with input from dozens of experts from Smithsonian, industry, and nonprofits worldwide, the new exhibit Cellphone: Unseen Connections, at the National Museum of Natural History is about our most intimate devices: what’s in them, how we use them, how they influence our lives, and what happens when we’re done with them. It’s a never-before-told story with deep ties to people’s lives and our connections with the natural world. The exhibit is an eminently human look at the fastest-spreading technology in modern history, including over 750 collections objects, 35 personal stories, and interactive media content.
Join the National Museum of Natural History and Smithsonian’s Material Culture Forum for a conversation with Josh Bell (exhibit curator), Christyna Solhan (exhibit developer), Marion Le Voyer (experience design and education), Shannon Willis (exhibit developer), and Kate Raisz (media consultant) to hear why they’re so excited about the exhibit, the conversation doors…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Natural History (Ground Floor). Cost: Free; registration is required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/36114788/the-making-of-the-cellphoneunseen-connectionsexhibit-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: Lectures & Discussions. Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: Cellphone: Unseen Connections. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 3:30 PM – 6:15 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. Taiko Drumming with Mark Rooney
For Ages 5 and up. Taiko drum artist Mark Rooney rocks the house with massive sound and energy as participants learn some fascinating musical history and Japanese vocabulary.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Natural History Baird Auditorium. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/258559?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2023FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=264355. Categories: Kids & Families.
Thursday, May 9, 2024, 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM.
Taiko Drumming with Mark Rooney
For Ages 5 and up. Taiko drum artist Mark Rooney rocks the house with massive sound and energy as participants learn some fascinating musical history and Japanese vocabulary.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Natural History Baird Auditorium. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/258560?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2023FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=264355. Categories: Kids & Families.
Thursday, May 9, 2024, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: Beguiling Birds
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
Tuesday, May 14, is all about coastal birds! Together families will engage in different interactions to learn about birds that live near the sea or water. Come and join us for a fun time learning through play and exploration!
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground Floor of the museum. Please enter through the Constitution Avenue entrance. Q?rius is located on the right as you enter the museum.
Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time captioning (CART), or audio-description are available with advanced notice. However, accommodations may not be possible with less than two-weeks advanced notice.…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center (Ground Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: Habitat Focus - Pollinator Garden!
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
On Tuesday, May 21, we will take a closer look at some of the flowers and insects that can be found outside the museum in the Pollinator Garden! During this Play Date at NMNH, families will make close observations of different museum specimens, make their own artwork inspired by the Pollinator Garden, and leave with a learning invitation to explore the garden as a family.
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners (ages 0-5) and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground Floor of the museum. Please enter through the Constitution Avenue entrance. Q?rius is located on the right as you enter the museum.
Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center (Ground Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: Birdwatching!
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
On Tuesday, May 28, we invite you to join us to celebrate Black Birders Week! Together through play and art-making, families will engage in different ways to observe and record their own observations of birds they see outside (or even inside) the museum. Come and join us for a fun time learning through play and exploration!
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground Floor of the museum. Please enter through the Constitution Avenue entrance. Q?rius is located on the right as you enter the museum.
Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time captioning (CART), or audio-description are available with…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center (Ground Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Black Birders Week STEAM Day 2024: Birdwalk
On Saturday June 1, 2024, join the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of Natural History as we celebrate Black birders, birds, and nature.
Experienced birders will lead a bird walk and birding activities starting at NMAAHC. Meeting location will be shared via email by Thursday May 30, 2024 , Participants can expect to walk (at most) 2 miles, , grab light refreshments inside NMAAHC following the bird walk, , participate in the Black Birders Week STEAM Day celebration from 11am-3pm. , , Twenty-five (25) people will be allowed to participate in the birding activity.
The Smithsonian will not provide binoculars.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: NMAAHC grounds (External to building). Cost: Registration opens May 20! Categories: Kids & Families. Related Events: Black Birders Week STEAM Day 2024 | National Museum of African American History and Culture (si.edu). Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, June 1, 2024, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
For more info visit nmaahc.si.edu. Black Birders Week STEAM Day 2024
Did you know there is an entire week dedicated to Black birders, called Black Birders Week?
Black Birders Week began in 2020 to highlight the challenges and joys of Black nature enthusiasts, particularly birders. If you are interested in STEAM, including birds, nature, wildlife, and African American history, then this is the program for you!
On Saturday June 1 from 11am-3pm, join the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Zoo as we celebrate Black birders, birds, and nature.
Activities include A guided bird walk , Owl pellet dissection , Bird feather microscopy , and MORE! Black Birders Week 2024 is from Sunday May 26th to Saturday June 1st. Learn more about Black Birders Week.
Photo Credit: Robert Stewart | NMAAHC.
Venue: African American History and Culture Museum. Event Location: 1st and 2nd floors. Cost: This is a free event, but participants are required to register to attend. Registration is open! Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/69380189. Categories: Celebrations. Kids & Families.
Saturday, June 1, 2024, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
For more info visit nmaahc.si.edu. Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra "Sarah Vaughan: The Divine One"
Sarah Vaughan's colorful vocal tone, unparalleled range, elastic stylized phrasing, and all-around dynamic musical interpretation earned her the moniker "The Divine One." Also known as "Sassy," Vaughan became one of the greatest jazz vocalists in the history of the music. To close out the concert season, the SJMO features singer Sharón Clark as we celebrate the centennial year of NEA Jazz Master Sarah Vaughan. Songs may include “After You've Gone,” “It Don't Mean a Thing (If it Ain't Got That Swing)” and “The Lady's in Love with You.” (Full Orchestra).
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Baird Auditorium. Cost: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/sjmo-sarah-vaughan. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/sjmo-sarah-vaughan. Categories: Performances. After Five.
Saturday, June 1, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM.
For more info visit americanhistory.si.edu. Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra Sarah Vaughan: The Divine One
Under the artistic direction of maestro Charlie Young, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra has celebrated some of the greatest jazz music throughout its 33-year history as one of the crown jewels of the National Museum of American History. The 2023–2024 SJMO season adds new excitement and luster to that musical tradition with this in-person concert honoring Sarah Vaughan.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Natural History Baird Auditorium. Cost: Click here to view prices. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/258607?utm_source=SI-Trumba-Calendar&utm_medium=SIWeb&utm_campaign=2024FY-Trumba-SA-ev&utm_content=SA-Trumba-event&promo=273765. Categories: After Five. Workshops.
Saturday, June 1, 2024, 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM.