American Bison Cart Chat
Ongoing Tours & Activities
Join educators in the "Bison: Standing Strong" exhibit 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 .
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 2nd Floor, Bison: Standing Strong exhibit. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature.
Monday, September 28, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: Dive into the Deep Sea
One-Time Events
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
This Tuesday will be all about taking a closer look at what life is like in the deep sea at the bottom of the ocean! Even though it is very dark (except for the bioluminescent animals), the deepest parts of the ocean are still full of life. Together we will learn about some of the unique animals that have adapted to live in the deep sea, make artwork inspired by the deep sea, and have the chance to see specimens that once lived at the bottom of the ocean!
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. Ocean Hall is on the 1st floor. Please note that space is dependent on the location of that week's event. Some locations have less capacity than others. It is…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Explorer Theater in the Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Event Group: Early Learning. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature.
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Behind the Science with Paleontologist and Curator of Dinosauria Matthew Carrano
One-Time Events
Is the 21st Century the real Age of Dinosaurs?
Today, more paleontologists are discovering more dinosaur fossils from more places in the world than ever before. Our understanding of these amazing creatures has leapt forward while their popularity has surged. Museums sit at the junction of these phenomena.
The Smithsonian has been a center for dinosaur research for more than a century, and its collections include many iconic and scientifically important specimens. Today, Smithsonian researchers continue to discover new dinosaurs, but they are also uncovering more information about the ones we already know and love. New techniques and approaches allow them to investigate aspects of dinosaur biology, ecology, and evolution in ways that would have been inconceivable to early paleontologists. The result is an ever-improving understanding of dinosaurs as living, breathing, and thriving animals.
This month, go behind the science with paleontologist Dr. Matthew Carrano, Curator of Dinosauria at the National 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/86562911/behind-the-scienceoctober-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, October 13, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. National Fossil Day at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
One-Time Events
Save the date for some fossil fun on Wednesday, October 14th!
Celebrate National Fossil Day with real fossils and free, family-friendly activities in the museum’s Hall of Fossils – Deep Time! Scientists and educators from the Smithsonian will be on hand to welcome families and anyone interested in exploring Earth’s deep past. No registration required.
Visitors can: Touch and hold real fossils, Observe experts at work in the FossiLab Get up-close to the Nation’s T. rex, And more! Image Information (credit): Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops horridus (Department of Paleobiology, Smithsonian Institution).
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Keywords: dinosaurs, fossils, families. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Neandertal Adaptations to Ice Age Eurasia: Warmbloods in Cold Times
One-Time Events
While primates are tropical in origin, Neanderthals survived in the brutally cold climates of Eurasia through multiple glacial phases. How did they endure these extreme environments?
Dr. Trent Holliday, Professor of Anthropology at Tulane University, will present evidence for cultural and biological adaptations to cold in our ancient cousins.
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: An illustration of Neanderthals in a cold environment, Image credit: Smithsonian Human Origins Program/Karen Carr.
Event Location: Online; Internet connection required. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/62648600/neandertal-adaptations-to-ice-age-eurasiawarmbloods-in-cold-times-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, October 15, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. An Evening With Smithsonian Secretary Emeritus Wayne Clough
One-Time Events
G. Wayne Clough, geotechnical engineer and Smithsonian secretary emeritus, shares the latest research and personal stories about how nature has transformed the Georgia coast across millions of years and how human impact continues to shape its future.
Join us at the National Museum of Natural History for a conversation with Clough and Sant Director Kirk Johnson about the past and future of the birds, sea turtles, dolphins, whales, plants and trees that make the Georgia coast their home.
Copies of the Clough’s new book, The Ever-Changing Georgia Coast: A Natural History of Its Creation, Transformation, and Future, will be available for purchase and signing at the program.
Registration is encouraged. Space is filled on a first come first served basis. Image caption: Aerial view, Little Tybee Island.
Image credit: M. Loftman.
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/41810296/an-evening-with-smithsonian-secretary-emeritus-wayne-clough-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.
Thursday, October 15, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. An Evening With Chris Geremia and Tom Murphy: Return of the Last Wild Bison Herd in Yellowstone
One-Time Events
The American bison, our national mammal, once roamed much of North America in numbers so vast the herds were measured in miles, not numbers. By the turn of the 20th century, they were nearly extinct.
In their new book, Yellowstone Bison: Return of the Last Wild Herd, biologist and Yellowstone National Park’s bison manager Chris Geremia and photographer Tom Murphy trace the remarkable recovery of bison in Yellowstone National Park.
Join us at the National Museum of Natural History for a conversation with Geremia, Murphy and Sant Director Kirk Johnson. Copies of the their new book, Yellowstone Bison: Return of the Last Wild Herd, will be available for purchase and signing at the program.
Before and after the program, chat with an educator from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum about the U.S. Postal Service American Bison stamp released in May 2026 that features one of Tom Murphy’s photographs and how it connects to the bronze bison and Bison: Standing Strong exhibit at the National Museum of Natural…
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/93569146/an-evening-with-chris-geremia-and-tom-murphyreturn-of-the-last-wild-bison-herd-in-yellowstone-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.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. A Safari Adventure with WETA PBS Kids & the National Museum of Natural History!
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!
Join us on Saturday, October 24, for a special African safari adventure with our friends from WETA PBS Kids, the Smithsonian's National Zoo, and a special guest—Elmo! Explore the animals that live on the African savanna, create art inspired by a safari, and watch Elmo’s safari adventure in Sesame Street and the Great Elephant Adventure! In Sesame Street’s first-ever safari, our friends embark on an unforgettable journey of discovery. They travel from the caring confines of the elephant sanctuary into the unpredictable African bush, where they come face-to-face with some of nature’s most iconic wildlife, including lions, zebras, giraffes, and hippos. Families with learners of all ages are invited to explore different stations, observe specimens from our collection, and engage in play and art-making. They can meet costume character Elmo in person and capture a memorable moment…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Ground Floor, Q?rius: The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Event Group: Earth Month Every Month. Early Learning. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature.
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
The World & Me: Bat Week Extravaganza with special guests…Arachnids!
One-Time Events
Join us for a special program celebrating Bat Week!
Come help us celebrate bats as we learn about how important bats are to our planet. Help us also shine the light on the importance of spiders! See bat and spider specimens up close, make art celebrating bats and spiders, and learn other ways you can support bats and spiders all year long! Feel free to wear your favorite bat or spider attire. Families can join at any time during the duration of the event and stay as long as suits each family.
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…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Ground Floor, Q?rius: The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Event Group: Earth Month Every Month. Early Learning. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Topics: Science & Nature.
Saturday, October 31, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM.
The World and Me: National Bison Day
One-Time Events
Learn more about your place in the world through explorations of nature and culture.
Join us Saturday, November 7th, as we celebrate National Bison Day! Discover different bison adaptations and learn how the bison almost went extinct but are now rising in numbers. Families with learners of all ages will be invited to explore different stations, make observations of museum specimens up close, and explore bisons through play and art.
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. However, accommodations may not be possible with less than…
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. 250 Our Shared Future. Early Learning. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature.
Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM.
Behind the Science with Research Anthropologist and Curator of Human-Environment Interactions Dr. Torben Rick
One-Time Events
“The Fascinating Origins of Tuna and Billfish Fisheries”
Tuna and billfish are among the world’s most important large ocean predators and an important global food source. Millions of tons are caught every year. Despite significant declines in their populations, we know relatively little about tuna and billfish harvest prior to 20th century industrial exploitation. Smithsonian scientists are conducting archaeological, historical, and ecological research to understand the deep history of the fishery and help plan for the future sustainability of these critical fish.
This month, go behind the science with Research Anthropologist and Curator of Human-Environment Interactions Dr. Torben Rick who is exploring this untold history through archaeology and the restudying archaeological and historical tuna and billfishes in museum collections and in the field.
Bonus: find out how Dr. Torben Rick’s research connects the December Behind the Science expert, Dr. Katherine Bemis.
Registration is encouraged. Space is…
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/32430410/behind-the-sciencenovember-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, November 10, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. Paleoproteomics in Paleoanthropology
One-Time Events
The diversity and variation of Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene species of early humans in southern Africa has been characterized based on the fossil evidence alone – until recently, with the emergence of paleoproteomics, the study of ancient proteins.
Dr. Palesa Madupe, postdoctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, will present recent paleoproteomic research based on dental enamel proteins extracted from specimens of Homo naledi, Paranthropus robustus, and Australopithecus africanus.
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: SK-48, a Paranthropus robustus fossil from Swartkrans, South Africa, Image credit: Smithsonian Human Origins Program.
Event Location: Online; Internet connection required. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/34567475/paleoproteomics-in-paleoanthropology-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, November 19, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. Behind the Science with National Systematics Lab Research Zoologist and Curator of Fishes Dr. Katherine Bemis
One-Time Events
"Mola molas and More: The Biology of Ocean Sunfishes"
Known for centuries for basking and seemingly sluggish behavior at the water’s surface, recent tagging studies show that ocean sunfishes swim over great horizontal and vertical distances in the water column at higher speeds than previously thought. NOAA and Smithsonian scientists are using new information about their natural history and behavioral ecology to reinterpret the evolution of the many unusual anatomical features of sunfish and its extreme body form.
This month, go behind the science with Dr. Katherine (Kate) Bemis, Research Zoologist at NOAA Fisheries’ National Systematics Lab and Curator of Fishes at National Museum of Natural History who is studying these unusual fishes in the field and in museum collections.
Read more about this work (link to come for NOAA article by end of September).
Registration is encouraged. Space is filled on a first come first served basis. Image caption: Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola) have some of the most unusual…
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/50387828/behind-the-sciencedecember-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, December 8, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. Wildlife and Wildfires: Chimp Behavior and Early Human Implications
One-Time Events
How do chimpanzees and other wildlife respond to fire in an East African mosaic–woodland ecosystem?
Dr. Alexander Piel, Associate Professor of Anthropology at University College London, will describe some species’ exploitation of burned landscapes as well as the costs and benefits associated with living with annual fires. These patterns provide insight into how animals adapt to increasingly frequent and widespread fires and highlight fire as a key selective pressure in African ecosystems. Ultimately, these findings offer a comparative framework for understanding how early hominins may have navigated fire-prone environments, shaping the evolutionary context of human-fire interactions.
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: Chimpanzees from the Issa…
Event Location: Online; Internet connection required. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/40369754/wildlife-and-wildfireschimp-behavior-and-early-human-implications-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, December 17, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com.