Tag Archive for: smithsonian institution

Smithsonian X 3D: Revolutionizing how we see things

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Recently, the Smithsonian unveiled the Smithsonian X 3D Collection and state-of-the-art 3D explorer. The Smithsonian X 3D Collection features objects from the Smithsonian that highlight different applications of 3D capture and printing, as well as digital delivery methods for 3D data in research, education and conservation. It was featured in a Center for the Future of Museums blog last week as well. Will it revolutionize the way we teach? Perhaps one day soon. But right now it’s certainly transforming the way we see the world one amazing object at a time!

I had a chance to explore the new 3D website and it’s definitely worth registering for an account. Getting an up-close look at the Wright flyer or watching a video describing how the scans were completed is worth it alone, and then add on the ‘tours’ for each object and your creative wheels start turning thinking of how you can share this with everyone you know. All objects in the explorer come with comprehensive guided tours. Each tour tells an interesting story about an object of the Smithsonian X 3D Collection. Tours are similar to PowerPoint presentations, but are always “live”. At any time during a tour, you can interact with everything you see in the viewer. It was pretty easy to get a handle on and after clicking around for a while, I had it down and was zooming in and out to look at details in the Wright flyer.

 

The coolest thing for Affiliates is the potential in the Educators section. In order to make our 137 million object collection more accessible, the 3D team came up with these teachable objects for everyone to explore. Some of our Affiliates are already using 3D technology for educational purposes. In fact, Dr. Herbert Maschner, Director of the Idaho Museum of Natural History, an Affiliate in Pocatello, Idaho, was a panelist in the recent symposium at the Smithsonian. He spoke about his museum’s work in “democratizing science,” scanning collections all over the world, resulting in data sets which can be used by researchers in a variety of disciplines.  The scans result in 3D or electronic files which can now be accessed from anywhere- even by teachers in classrooms, tying the subject matter into school curricula.

One of our National Outreach Managers, Laura Hansen, was able to attend the Smithsonian X 3D conference and said,

“This technology represents a wonderful opportunity for museums.  Models resulting from high resolution scans and printed on a 3D printer can give visitors and students access to objects in unprecedented ways.  Want to study mathematics? How about a scale model of the Parthenon to inspire students?  Wish you could handle a fragile fossil bone to see how an animal moved?  These scans and printed objects can help us think about collections in new ways, making museums repositories of information from the past that can literally shape our future.”

So take some time and explore the new Smithsonian X 3D Collection.  Just another idea from your friends at Smithsonian Affiliations to bring the Smithsonian to your neighborhood!

Have you caught up on Smithsonian news in your neighborhood?

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cover2Extra! Extra! Read all about it! The Fall 2013 issue of The Affiliate Newsletter just wrapped up production. In this issue:

West Coast Partner Brings SI to LA

Get a peek at several Smithsonian collaborations at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles that are helping to tell the American story through the Japanese story.

2013 conference attendees participated in hands-on workshops at ImagiNATIONS education space in the National Museum of the American Indian.

2013 conference attendees participated in hands-on workshops at ImagiNATIONS education space in the National Museum of the American Indian.

Connecting Communities, Classrooms, and Colleagues at the 2013 National Conference

A record-breaking 119 attendees from 74 Affiliates attended the 2013 Affiliations National Conference. Check out some conference photos and see what your Affiliate colleagues said about the meeting.

Hanging Out with Elvis in Fort Worth

Guest author Amy Henderson, cultural historian at the National Portrait Gallery, shares her experience visiting Fort Worth Museum of Science and History while the Elvis at 21 exhibition was on display.

Smithsonian EdLab Shares New Twist to Digital Learning

Smithsonian EdLab workshops at four Affiliates demonstrated the power of going beyond the walls of the classroom to create a 21st-century idea of what education can be.

Announcing the I. Michael Heyman Smithsonian Across America Fund

We’re announcing a new fund to support the work of Smithsonian Affiliations in sharing resources with people in their own communities.

2013 Intern Partners and Visiting Professionals

Quick highlights from our four Affiliate staff members and one Affiliate intern during their residencies at the Smithsonian.

Ed Nichols, History Colorado director, and Harold Closter, Smithsonian Affiliations director view Jefferson's Bible before it is displayed at History Colorado (Denver).

Ed Nichols, History Colorado director, and Harold Closter, Smithsonian Affiliations director view Jefferson’s Bible before it is displayed at History Colorado (Denver).

A Conversation with History Colorado

Five questions with History Colorado about the impact of bringing Thomas Jefferson’s Bible to the Denver community.

Smithsonian In Your Neighborhood

A recap of events, exhibitions and programs in Affiliate neighborhoods from May to October 2013.

Visit our ISSUU library for past editions of The Affiliate Newsletter.

3rd successful year of “September with the Smithsonian” in Daytona Beach

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Special thanks for this guest post to James “Zach” Zacharias, Senior Curator of Education and Curator of History at the Museum of Arts and Sciences Daytona Beach, Florida.

Zach Zacharias and Dr. Valerie Paul with "Highwaymen" on loan from fellow Affiliate, Orange County Regional History Center. Photo courtesy MOAS.

Zach Zacharias and Dr. Valerie Paul with “Highwaymen” on loan from fellow Affiliate, Orange County Regional History Center. Photo courtesy MOAS.

Several years ago the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences (MOAS) was looking for ways to increase attendance during the traditionally slow month of September.  After a few brainstorming sessions, the curatorial and education departments came up with a brilliant idea to tie September MOAS with the Smithsonian Affiliations program.  Access to the Smithsonian’s vast offerings is a perfect fit for MOAS’s educational goals.   We wanted to try something radical and different- something that had never been done before.  Thus came September with the Smithsonian. It proved to be all we had hoped for, and now is in its third year.

This year we included Smithsonian Affiliates from around the state to lend their expertise to content. This year also marks the 500th Anniversary of the discovery of Florida by Juan Ponce de Leon.  Florida has been celebrating with statewide initiative called Viva 500. Naturally, our theme for this year’s event focused on Florida’s history and natural history. The ideas revolve around having a Smithsonian related event every week during the month and on different days.  The first key to success was to contact our Affiliate National Outreach Manager Alma Douglas and discuss our theme. With Alma’s expertise, she was able to guide us to the resources and make contacts for our event.

Our first week started out with Dr. Valerie Paul, Director of the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce.  Her presentation, Exploring Florida’s Marine Environment, focused on the mission of the Smithsonian’s center and how it relates to Florida’s all-important ecosystems.  Dr. Paul highlighted the cutting edge research that the Smithsonian is conducting for medical research and the important issues in Florida’s fragile coral reef ecosystems.

Our second week, Chuck Meide, Underwater Archaeologist from St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, a fellow Smithsonian Affiliate, gave a presentation on the underwater archaeological excavation of a colonial era shipwreck.  It sank off the entrance of St. Augustine Inlet during the British loyalist evacuation of Charleston in 1782.

Dr. Kathleen Lyons in an interview with WROD's Cadillac Jack at the MOAS Natural History Festival. Photo courtesy MOAS.

Dr. Kathleen Lyons in an interview with WROD’s Cadillac Jack at the MOAS Natural History Festival. Photo courtesy MOAS.

September with the Smithsonian heated up in the third week of the month with our annual weekend event MOAS Natural History Festival.  It focused on the natural history of Florida and featured huge displays of fossils, shells, minerals and other specimens.  Community partners such as the local Audubon Society, local fossil club, and many other organizations made this community event a hit with families. Dr. Kathleen Lyons from the Department of Paleobiology at the National Museum of Natural History presented two lectures focusing on the legacy of the giant ice age animals that once dominated Florida landscape from Giant Ground Sloths to Mastodons.

Our month long series culminated with free admission during Smithsonian magazine Museum Day Live! and two performances by the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.  It is the orchestra-in–residence at the National Museum of American History.  For the third year in a row, this world-class jazz band has traveled to Daytona Beach to play for sold-out crowds.  This year, the theme was Swinging with the Smithsonian featuring the Ella Fitzgerald Song Book.

Members of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. Photo courtesy MOAS.

Members of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. Photo courtesy MOAS.

The Jazz Masterworks Orchestra conducted a matinee jazz show for kids called Swingin’ with the Smithsonian Junior.  Young musicians from the community flocked to the performance to hear this great educational event. The musicians demonstrated their instruments, discussed the concept of jazz music, and focused the importance of playing an instrument no matter what age or level you are at.

The featured evening event was under the executive direction of Kennith Kimery and artistic director and principal saxophonist Charlie Young.   With special guest vocalist Lena Seikaly, it showcased the music of legendary songstress Ella Fitzgerald. The audience was treated to some of Ella’s best and most famous works.

The Museum of Arts and Sciences, Daytona Beach Florida has developed a long-standing relationship with the Smithsonian Affiliations program to bring resources to our community that would normally be out of reach.  The ability to bring in scholars, programs, and artifacts has allowed the MOAS to enrich our members and community and inspire lifelong learning.

Affiliates in the news- November 2013

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Congrats to these Affiliates making news! Each month we highlight Affiliate-Smithsonian and Affiliate-Affiliate collaborations making headlines.  If you have a clipping highlighting a collaboration with the Smithsonian or with a fellow Affiliate you’d like to have considered for the Affiliate blog, please contact Elizabeth Bugbee.

Oklahoma History Center (Oklahoma City, OK)
Smithsonian grant funds living Asian-American project at Oklahoma History Center
The Oklahoma History Center is one of a handful of museums across the nation that received a grant from the Smithsonian Institution to educate middle school students about Asian-American history. The $2,500 grant helped start an oral history program titled “Young Historians, Living Histories” that will allow history center staff to teach students how to reach out to Asian-Americans, interview them on camera and submit the video to the Smithsonian website.

Ellen Noel Art Museum (Odessa, Texas)
Ellen Noel Museum launches 3-D printing studio
In 2005, George Jacob was the project director for a Smithsonian exhibit called “Ray Charles: The Genius.” “When I worked on that exhibit, that was the first time I had really given much thought to how the visually impaired learn about art,” Jacob said. “It made me realize that there is nothing really tactile to help teach the visually impaired.” Jacob is now the executive director of the Ellen Noel Art Museum in Odessa, and he hasn’t forgotten about the challenges facing those without sight. In fact, it’s the driving motivation behind the museum’s newest pieces of cutting edge equipment: 3-D printers.

Buffalo Bill Center of the West (Cody, Wyoming)
Mother of all Swiss Army knives,’ this 19th century multi-tool has it all, including a .22 revolver
Owned by the Smithsonian Institution and displayed at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Wyoming, this clever contraption would have made any cowboy the king of the corral.

Western Reserve Historical Society (Cleveland, Ohio)
AIHP- Oral History Project , Training in progress!!
Selected Students to work on the AIHP and WRHS – oral History Project with a grant from the Smithsonian

"Apollo 8 Coming Home" by Robert T. McCall is part of "Paintings of the Space Age" Smithsonian exhibit at the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland, FL on Wednesday October 9, 2013.

“Apollo 8 Coming Home” by Robert T. McCall is part of “Paintings of the Space Age” Smithsonian exhibit at the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland, FL on Wednesday October 9, 2013.

Polk Museum of Art (Lakeland, Fla.)
Polk Museum Showcases Paintings from Smithsonian
A partnership between the Polk Museum of Art and the Smithsonian is bringing back the thrill of the United States’ unprecedented early space exploration through “Paintings of the Space Age,” on exhibit through Dec. 7 in the museum’s Dorothy Jenkins Gallery. The exhibition’s opening coincides with NASA’s 55th anniversary occurring this month.

Buffalo Bill Center of the West (Cody, WY), High Museum of Art (Atlanta, GA), Booth Western Art Museum (Cartersville, GA)
From Wyoming to Cartersville: ‘Today’s West!’ exhibit kicks off during Southeastern Cowboy Festival & Symposium
“To help bolster its audience during the winter months, the Buffalo Bill Center’s Western art collection is traveling east. Split between a pair of concurrently running exhibitions at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and Cartersville’s Booth Western Art Museum, the Wyoming museum’s artwork will enable patrons to view the development and progression of this artistic field. . For those seeking a more immersive study of “Today’s West!” four art lectures will be centered on the exhibit and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West Friday in the Booth Theatre: . “Advance Work: Art and Advertising in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” by Michelle Anne Delaney, director of the Smithsonian Institution’s Consortium for Understanding the American Experience…”

Museum of the Rockies (Bozeman, MT)
My T. Rex Is Bigger Than Yours
National Fossil Day, an annual celebration of all things fossil, has come around again. But not everyone is jubilant. As the government shutdown ticks on–with debate fossilized, you might say–a mighty Cretaceous carnivore has been left in limbo on the day it was supposed to be acclaimed. There is no joy in Washington, D.C., for mighty T. rex has struck out. The dinosaur in question, fondly known as the Wankel rex, was due to arrive today, shipped off from the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, for a ceremonial greeting at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. That warm welcome is delayed until the spring.

2014 Visiting Professionals Program

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One of the exclusive benefits of being a Smithsonian Affiliate is the opportunity to apply for the Affiliations Visiting Professionals Program. Accepted Affiliate staff members get a program tailored to their project needs which can lead to new collaborations, new loans, new professional skills and endless networking opportunities. But don’t just listen to us. Here’s what your fellow Affiliate colleagues have to say:

Forensic Anthropology Lab

Jessica Crossman in the Forensic Anthropology Lab at the National Museum of Natural History.

 

“I truly wish everyone at my institution had the chance to do this kind of program, which was eye-opening in so many ways. I know I will continue to maintain many of the relationships formed during my program and am grateful for the opportunity.” – Sarah Rooney, Community Programs Manager, Senator John Heinz History Center, 2013 Visiting Professional.

“Through these wonderful learning experiences I met some truly talent and kind people that I hope to keep in touch with.  And of course this trip provided the Museum of Man some new ideas for our hands-on exhibit space.  I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally through this wonderful opportunity.“– Jessica Crossman, Experiential Learning Department Program Coordinator, San Diego Museum of Man, 2013 Visiting Professional.

2009 Visiting Professional, Wayne Coleman from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in the Archives of American History.

2009 Visiting Professional, Wayne Coleman from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in the Archives of American History.

“My Smithsonian colleagues were inviting, open, and encouraging. Their work is inspiring and has given me many ideas! I look forward to sharing what I learned with my colleagues and trying out some of the Smithsonian approaches.”– Lisa Falk, Director of Education, Arizona State Museum, 2010 Visiting Professional.

“My experience was extremely valuable. The knowledge that I gained at the Smithsonian and that I am now sharing with co-workers has definitely been beneficial to our work.“– Katey Ahmann, Coordinator of Exhibit Hall Programs, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, 2009 Visiting Professional.

Application Guidelines:

  • Apply online! Candidates apply directly through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA).
  • Visiting Professionals receive a stipend. Selected applicants will receive a $350 stipend per week (not to exceed $700) to help with expenses.
  • Applicants must be full-time staff members at an Affiliate organization.
  • Click here for full application requirements and to apply online.

Questions? Contact Elizabeth Bugbee, 202.633.5304.

Bring 101 Smithsonian Objects to your Neighborhood!

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101objectsbookOk, so we can’t actually send 101 artifacts on the road all the time, but we can send Smithsonian Under Secretary for Art, History, and Culture Richard Kurin! Aided by a team of top Smithsonian curators and scholars, Richard’s new book The Smithsonian’s History of America in 101 Objects, is a literary exhibition of objects from across the Smithsonian that together offer a marvelous new perspective on the history of the United States.

After the success of his book tours in Affiliateland–Madcap May: Mistress of Myth, Men, and Hope and Hope Diamond: The Legendary Story of a Cursed Gem–Richard is looking forward to visiting Affiliates again and sharing these fascinating stories from American history.

Richard kicks off the Affiliate tour on Tuesday, November 12 at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. One of the unexpected selections in his book is a vial of Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine–which just happens to be on view at NMAJH in their Only In America gallery, on loan from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

KurinHope_web

Richard traveled to more than 10 Affiliates during his book tour for “Hope Diamond: The Legendary History of a Cursed Gem.”

Ranging from the earliest years of the pre-Columbian continent to the digital age, and from the American Revolution to Vietnam, each entry pairs the fascinating history surrounding each object with the story of its creation or discovery and the place it has come to occupy in our national memory. He sheds remarkable new light on objects we think we know well, from Lincoln’s hat to Dorothy’s ruby slippers and Julia Child’s kitchen, including the often astonishing tales of how each made its way into the collections of the Smithsonian. Other objects will be eye-opening new discoveries for many, but no less evocative of the most poignant and important moments of the American experience. Some objects, such as Harriet Tubman’s hymnal, Sitting Bull’s ledger, Cesar Chavez’s union jacket, and the Enola Gay bomber, tell difficult stories from our nation’s history, and inspired controversies when exhibited at the Smithsonian. Others, from George Washington’s sword to the space shuttle Discovery, celebrate the richness and vitality of the American spirit. In his words, each object comes to life, providing a near-tactile connection to American history.

Photo courtesy Smithsonian Institution.

Photo courtesy Smithsonian Institution.

Publishers Weekly called it a “humanistic approach to storytelling (he even includes digressions on things that didn’t make it in, like the ubiquitous stuffed animal named after the first President Roosevelt: the Teddy Bear) which makes for immersive, addictive reading.”

Beautifully designed and illustrated with color photographs throughout, The Smithsonian’s History of America in 101 Objects is a rich and fascinating journey through America’s collective memory, and a beautiful object in its own right.

Interested in booking Richard for a speaking engagement and book signing at your organization? Contact your National Outreach Manager. Availability is February 2014- June 2014.

Interested in stocking your shelves with a great gift? Pre-order here!