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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Distance Learning

Montage of four images: Kyle Miller holding a Komodo dragon; a clouded leopard; sea anemones on a coral reef; and a walking leaf.
Smithsonian Science How video webinars in January 2021 will include a virtual tour of the museum's O. Orkin Insect Zoo, where you might see a walking leaf (bottom left); other webinars will visit the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute to see and learn about reptiles, clouded leopards, and coral reefs. Photo credits, clockwise from top left: Courtesy of Kyle Thomas; Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute; Photo Collection of Dr. James P. McVey, NOAA Sea Grant Program; Rosa Pineda, Smithsonian.

Smithsonian Science How

Bring a Smithsonian Scientist into your classroom with Smithsonian Science How! Preview our formats by watching a program from our video webcast archives.

Video Webinars

Smithsonian Science How webinars return in the new year! Connect your students to Smithsonian science experts in this weekly series of free live, interactive webinars. Hosted by Smithsonian educators, this series will connect your students to authentic science, discoveries, and collections while inviting them to participate in live polls and ask and answer questions throughout.  

Thematically aligned with NMNH Digital School Programs, the webinars serve as excellent extension activities. Each webinar will be aligned with core content from the Animal Adaptions, Insect Survival, or Reefs Unleashed school programs, but is an independent experience. 

  • Optimized for students in Grades 3-5, but open to everyone 
  • Scientists take your questions 
  • 45 minutes long, followed by an extended Q&A for 15 minutes 
  • Aligned with national science standards 
  • Aligned with the museum’s Digital School Programs
  • Real-time captioning

Schedule

January will feature a series of virtual field trips to the Smithsonian, made extra-special thanks to a collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.  

Registration is requested, but not required. Click a program’s title to register. 

March 3, 2021, at 1 p.m. ET: What Mars Reveals about Life in Our Universe

Explore our universe in this special collaboration between the National Air and Space Museum and Smithsonian Science How.

Join educators and experts from the Smithsonian to explore Mars, Earth, and more in this live, interactive webinar. The featured scientists will discuss the meteorites, atmosphere, and planets they study, how they study them, and what some of these far-flung objects from Earth's solar system reveal about life in our Universe. During this webinar, you will be able to respond to polls and submit questions to be answered live by the featured scientists. 

  • The primary goals of this webinar are to help students find value in studying the natural world, build interest and personal connections to science, and explore science careers. 
  • This program will be presented via Zoom video webinar. A link to join the program will be emailed to all registrants and posted on this webpage.

Previous Programs in 2021

Video Archives

We've produced 52 Smithsonian Science How webcasts over the last six years. They feature Smithsonian experts, are aligned with standards, and cover specific topics in the disciplines of Earth Science, Life Science, Paleontology, and Social Studies. Since March 2020, we have also produced many Smithsonian Science How video webinars; these recordings are also linked from the Video Archives page. 
Browse the video archives.

Ask Science How

Send our Science How team a note if you have any questions or comments you'd like to share with us!
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Featured Content

Smithsonian Distance Learning

See all the digital education resources from Smithsonian, including Learning Lab, resources for District of Columbia Public Schools, national resources, and more.
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