Natural History Museum

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Gems of the American Southwest: Trunk Show

One-Time Events Shop stunning collections from Gems of the American Southwest featuring the Supersmith Collection and Emerald Tanner. Find work by a wide range of artists from Native communities of the Southwest. Each piece expertly handcrafted by these jewelers showcases generations of skill and tradition with contemporary flare. Necklaces, rings, bracelets and other accessories will be available for purchase. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Co-sponsor: Smithsonian Enterprises. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Ground Floor, Museum Store. Cost: Free to attend; merchandise will be available for purchase. Categories: Shopping/Book Signing. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Art & Design. Thursday, April 16, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM.

The Wood Age: How Were the Earliest Hunting Weapons Made and Used?

One-Time Events While stone tools have defined prehistory, early humans also crafted sophisticated wooden tools, including hunting weapons. University of Reading Lecturer in Archaeology Annemieke Milks will explore how the world’s oldest known spears and throwing sticks were made, used, and understood through cutting-edge techniques such as 3D microscopy, microCT scanning and experimental use. Milks outlines how new analyses, new finds, and restudy of old finds are reshaping debates about early technologies and behaviors. Together, these discoveries reveal that early weaponry was not just technological innovation, but part of a deeply social story about cooperation, skill, and what it meant to be human. 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) Topics series and will be presented as a Zoom video webinar. A link will be emailed to all registrants.   Image credit: Photo: MINKUSIMAGES.… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Online; Internet connection required. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/41081627/the-wood-agehow-were-the-earliest-hunting-weapons-made-and-used-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: Webcasts & Online. Accessibility: Captioning. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Thursday, April 16, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM. For more info visit www.etix.com.

Gems of the American Southwest: Trunk Show

One-Time Events Shop stunning collections from Gems of the American Southwest featuring the Supersmith Collection and Emerald Tanner. Find work by a wide range of artists from Native communities of the Southwest. Each piece expertly handcrafted by these jewelers showcases generations of skill and tradition with contemporary flare. Necklaces, rings, bracelets and other accessories will be available for purchase. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Co-sponsor: Smithsonian Enterprises. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Ground Floor, Museum Store. Cost: Free to attend; merchandise will be available for purchase. Categories: Shopping/Book Signing. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Art & Design. Friday, April 17, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM.

Play Date: Week of the Young Child Celebration!

One-Time Events Join us for a special Play Date as we celebrate "Week of the Young Child" in exhibits on the 1st floor of the museum with friends from around the Smithsonian!  Experience exhibits on the 1st floor tailored to our earliest learners! Educators from the National Museum of Natural History, National Zoo, Hirshhorn, and the National Museum of the American Indian will join us with hands-on and play experiences throughout Ocean Hall, Deep Time, and Hall of Mammals. Come make close observations of fossils in Deep Time, play in turtle-inspired ways in the Ocean Hall, and join us for early-learner fun in Mammal Hall!  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: 1st Floor Exhibits - Ocean Hall, Deep Time, Hall of Mammals   Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor Exhibits: Ocean Hall, Deep Time, Hall of Mammals. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Friday, April 17, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Rocks Tell Stories: How Geologic Maps Can Tell Us about Nature’s Secrets

One-Time Events Every rock contains a bit of Earth’s history. Geologists use maps and laboratory techniques to understand nature’s secrets that are hiding right under our feet. Come meet Nick Powell and Mercer Parker, geologists from the US Geological survey, and ask them how they study Earth’s ancient stories, from the planet as a whole down to microscopic minerals. Images courtesy of Nick Powell (left) and Mercer Parker (right). Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 2nd Floor, Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Friday, April 17, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

Ocean Topics Cart Chat

Ongoing Tours & Activities 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. Image Credit: Phillip R. Lee, Smithsonian Institution. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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. Topics: Science & Nature. Sunday, April 19, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: Planet Party!

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! This Tuesday we will celebrate Earth Day together! Families will learn about different elements of nature (Air/Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth) and how they influence what happens on and to our planet, create their own artwork inspired by these elements, and leave with an invitation to explore an exhibit, "Earth Information Center" on the second floor. 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), their caregivers, and families. Location: This program is held in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals exhibit on the 1st floor of the museum.  Please note that space is dependent on the location of that week's event. Some locations have less capacity than others. It is possible that the program might be at capacity when you arrive. If this happens, please enjoy other areas of the museum and try again later in the program. Accessibility: Access… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Coral Reef Tank Talk

Ongoing Tours & Activities 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:  Phillip R. Lee, Smithsonian Institution. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Q?rius Open Late: Botany Specimen Preparation - April

One-Time Events The doors are open in Q?rius, the Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center! Once a month, we’re welcoming you to explore the space from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, even after the rest of the museum is closed. All ages are welcome. As an added bonus, the NMNH botany department will be hosting a botany collections specimen mounting pop-up in February, March and April. Ages 15 and up are welcome to participate with adult supervision. Registration is free and encouraged. Space is filled by a first come first served basis. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, National Museum of Natural History (Ground floor). Cost: Free; registration is required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/49016333/qrius-open-latebotany-specimen-preparation-april-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: After Five. Event Group: Earth Month Every Month. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Friday, April 24, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. For more info visit www.etix.com.

American Bison Cart Chat

Ongoing Tours & Activities Join educators in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals to discover more about the Nation's Mammal - the American Bison. Learn how these fascinating animals alter their ecosystem in ways that benefit other animals and their habitat, as well as their importance to humans.  Image by Jean Beaufort, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83971372 . Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: First floor, Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Sunday, April 26, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: Playful Pets

One-Time Events This Tuesday is all about some of our favorite animals...our pets! Together, families will make observations of animals in our collection that are sometimes pets, learn about ways we take care of our pets, and create their own take-home artwork highlighting their pet or favorite animal! Feel free to bring a photo of your pet for your artwork if you would like or to show and share. We love to hear all about animals special to you. The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners (0-5) and their caregivers and families. Location: This program is held in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals exhibit on the 1st floor of the museum.  Please note that space is dependent on the location of that week's event. Some locations have less capacity than others. It is possible that the program might be at capacity when you arrive. If this happens, please enjoy other areas of the museum and try again later in the program. Accessibility: Access… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Coral Reef Tank Talk

Ongoing Tours & Activities 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:  Phillip R. Lee, Smithsonian Institution. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

An Evening With Elizabeth Hargrave: Sanibel Board Game Night

One-Time Events From the maker of the viral board game Wingspan comes Sanibel, a cozy meditative game inspired by summer days on the beach hunting for shells. Join us for an after-hours event at the National Museum of Natural History celebrating our upcoming exhibit From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage opening June 2026. We’ll feature a conversation with NMNH experts and game designer Elizabeth Hargrave, access to Sant Ocean Hall, and a chance to play the new game. NMNH paleobiologist Stewart Edie will moderate a discussion between Hargrave and NMNH research zoologist Chris Meyer about place-based affinity for nature, the art and science of collecting, and the biodiversity of marine ecosystems along America’s coastlines. After the conversation, stick around to enjoy exclusive after-hours access to Sant Ocean Hall and play Sanibel – beginners and enthusiasts welcome. Hargrave will give a quick explanation of the game and local game shop Labyrinth Games will help with set up and instruction. Copies of… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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/48083031/an-evening-with-elizabeth-hargravesanibel-board-game-night-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Shopping/Book Signing. Event Group: Earth Month Every Month. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Topics: Science & Nature. Thursday, April 30, 2026, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. For more info visit www.etix.com.

The World and Me: Amphibian Week Kickoff Celebration with USGS and Friends!

One-Time Events 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 2nd, as we learn about amphibians with our friends from the 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 available with advanced notice.… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, Ground Floor. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Event Group: Earth Month Every Month. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: Amphibian Week Celebration!

One-Time Events Help us continue the Amphibian Week celebration with this week's Play Date at NMNH.  Tuesday, May 5th is all about amphibians! Families will learn make observations of different specimens, create their own amphibian-inspired artwork, and build different amphibian homes through play. 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), their caregivers, and families.  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. To request this service, please call (202) 633-5238 or e-mail… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Opening Day and Celebration of "Bison: Standing Strong"

One-Time Events The museum is opening a new exhibit that follows the rise, fall, and resilience of bison and the American grasslands. Join us on this special day to explore the exhibit, hear stories from different experts, and participate in hands-on explorations centered on this remarkable species and its connection to Indigenous knowledge, museum collections, and more. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 2nd Floor, "Bison: Standing Strong" exhibit. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Celebrations. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Topics: Science & Nature. Thursday, May 7, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

Behind the Science with Research Geologist and Curator Elizabeth Cottrell

One-Time Events "Expedition to Arctic Volcanoes" Join NMNH Research Geologist and Curator Liz Cottrell for an in‑depth exploration of the volcanoes on Alaska’s Aleutian Archipelago. Through images, stories, and scientific insights drawn from her field research, Cottrell investigates the Earth’s rocky surface and the internal dynamics that make it unique. Experience a Smithsonian rock‑collecting expedition through the eyes of a curator. Registration is encouraged. Space is available on a first come, first served basis. Image credit: Liz Cottrell, Smithsonian ---------------- About the Series: Behind the Science A monthly after-hours series featuring NMNH scientists and researchers, Each month, join the National Museum of Natural History for the new series, Behind the Science, where NMNH researchers share insights into their latest discoveries and explore the fascinating questions driving their work—from the origins of life to the future of our planet. Come learn what’s happening behind the scenes and how science shapes… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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/49070005/behind-the-sciencemay-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Event Group: Earth Month Every Month. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Monday, May 11, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM. For more info visit www.etix.com.

Play Date at NMNH: Animal Spotlight - Bison!

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! Tuesday, May 12th, is a special animal spotlight on bison! Families can celebrate our national mammal by making observations of bison specimens from our education collection, learn about ways they help their ecosystem, and explore how bison have been portrayed in art.  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 the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals exhibit on the 1st floor of the museum. Please note that space is dependent on the location of that week's event. Some locations have less capacity than others. It is possible that the program might be at capacity when you arrive. If this happens, please enjoy other areas of the museum and try again later in the program. Accessibility: Access services such as… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Watch Them Grow: Understanding our Forests for a Greener Future

One-Time Events How do trees grow, and why should we care? Trees play a vital role in fighting climate change by storing carbon in their wood. By monitoring tree growth and learning about the environmental conditions they need, we can predict how they’ll react in the future. This helps us understand how trees will handle changes in their surroundings. Presented by Dr. Eugenie Mas, forest ecologist, ForestGEO, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Image courtesy of Eugenie Mas. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Fossil Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Friday, May 15, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: Marvelous Meteorites

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! Tuesday, May 19th, is all about exploring the colors, shapes, and textures of objects from space! Families can learn about and make close observations of meteorites from our collection, explore different colors of planets, and create your own play telescope. 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 (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… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

How Do Paleoanthropologists Identify Our Evolutionary Relatives?

One-Time Events While some of us today enjoy exploring our own family genealogy, paleoanthropologists study fossils of our evolutionary family members and try to identify our relatives in the deep past. How do they determine these evolutionary relationships, which now-extinct ancient species are more closely related to us, and which fossils belong to which species? Dr. Bernard Wood, University Professor of Human Origins at the George Washington University, will explain how paleoanthropologists attempt to answer these questions. Moderator: Dr. Briana Pobiner, paleoanthropologist and educator at Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. This program is part of the ongoing HOT (Human Origins Today) Topics series and will be presented as a Zoom video webinar. A link will be emailed to all registrants.   Image caption: Bronze sculpture of a Paranthropus boisei created by paleoartist John Gurche in the Smithsonian’s Hall of Human Origins. Image credit: Smithsonian Institution. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Online; Internet connection required. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/99966992/how-do-paleoanthropologists-identify-our-evolutionary-relatives-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: Webcasts & Online. Accessibility: Captioning. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Thursday, May 21, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM. For more info visit www.etix.com.

Play Date at NMNH: Birds!

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! On Tuesday, May 26th, we invite you to join us in celebrating birds and birdwatching! 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 (ages 0-5), their caregivers, and families.  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… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: Awesome Arachnids!

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! Come join us as we celebrate the many wonderful ways arachnids help our planet, make observations of different arachnid species, and create art inspired by the different colors and shapes found on arachnids! Families will be able to explore through play, art, and select specimens from our 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 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.… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Behind the Science with Zoologist Matt Girard and World Ocean Day!

One-Time Events Save the date for Behind the Science: June ft. Matt Girard, Zoologist. This will also be our annual World Ocean Day celebration! Stay tuned for more details.  ---------------- About the Series: Behind the Science A monthly after-hours series featuring NMNH scientists and researchers, Each month, join the National Museum of Natural History for the new series, Behind the Science, where NMNH researchers share insights into their latest discoveries and explore the fascinating questions driving their work—from the origins of life to the future of our planet. Come learn what’s happening behind the scenes and how science shapes our understanding of the natural world. Programs take place in Q?rius, the Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center. Topics and speakers announced on a rolling basis, but save the dates now! Upcoming Dates: Apr 14: Carla Dove, Forensic Ornithologist and Chris Sweeney, author May 11: Liz Cottrell, Research Geologist and Curator Jun. 9: Matt Girard, Zoologist Jul. 14: TBA Aug. 11: Nick… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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/61682548/behind-the-sciencejune-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Event Group: Earth Month Every Month. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM. For more info visit www.etix.com.

Play Date at NMNH: Megalodon Day!

One-Time Events Tuesday, June 16th will be a post-celebration of Megalodon Day (June 15th)! While Megalodons, an ancient shark that lived 23 – 3.5 million years ago, are no longer swimming in our ocean, people of all ages are fascinated by its size and large teeth! Together we will learn about this ancient shark that used to roam the ocean, make our own wearable artwork inspired by Megalodon teeth, and have the chance to hold a real Megalodon tooth! 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… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

The World & Me: WETA and NMNH’s Solstice and Museum Celebration with special guest, Alma!

One-Time Events Learn more about your place in the world through explorations of nature and culture with museum educators and our friends from WETA!  Come celebrate the summer solstice inside Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center! Join us Saturday, June 20th, as we explore the amazing things we can learn and do when we visit the museum together as a family or with friends. Special guest Alma from PBS Kids’ “Alma’s Way” will be present and an episode about her family’s trip to a museum will also be shown throughout the event. Families with learners of all ages will be invited to explore different stations, make observations of specimens from our collection, and explore play and art. This is a drop-in event. Families can drop in anytime from 10:00am - 1:00pm and stay for as long as your family would like. No registration is required. 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… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Ground Floor, Q?rius: The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Event Group: Solstice Saturday. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Saturday, June 20, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: Mineral Rainbow

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! This Tuesday we will be exploring color with minerals! Come play, make art, and make up-close observations of colorful mineral specimens.  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), their caregivers, and families 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. To request this service, please call (202) 633-5238 or e-mail NMNHAccessibility@si.edu. Image: Tectosilicate Mineral Amethyst  Image copyright: Smithsonian. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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. Featured Event: Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Behind the Science with Curator of Flies Torsten Dikow

One-Time Events “What is the Pinned Insect Digitization Conveyor?” With more than 35 million specimens, the Smithsonian insect collection is one of the largest entomology collections in the world. It is an archive of global insect biodiversity, shedding light on the most diverse group of animals on the planet. Making such a sprawling collection, and the trove of scientific data it contains, accessible to researchers around the world is a challenge the museum facing head on.   Entomologist Dr. Torsten Dikow is part of the team currently working to digitize a large swath of the collection’s pollinating insect specimens using the museum’s Pinned Insect Digitization Conveyor, a state-of-the-art system that has never before been used in North America. Torsten will discuss the How and Why of digitizing more than 325,000 bees, flies, butterflies and beetles and their associated data labels. He will also explore the importance of making all of this data accessible to science and the public given the vital role insect pollinators… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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/55383932/behind-the-sciencejuly-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Event Group: Earth Month Every Month. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM. For more info visit www.etix.com.