what’s the big [education] idea?
In keeping with this year’s education theme at the annual Smithsonian Affiliations National Conference, we’ll be hosting a series of roundtable discussions in a session titled “What’s the Big Idea: Revitalizing Education Through Partnership and Collaboration.”
This dynamic session will follow a format well-known to most museum professionals. Smithsonian colleagues from across the Institution will present at their tables for 10 minutes each about their current projects, with the express goal of encouraging ideas for collaboration or input from Affiliates. After the talks, all participants at the table – Smithsonian and Affiliate staff – will be encouraged to brainstorm ideas and next steps on ways to participate, partner, or stay in touch as projects develop. During the last half hour, we’ll ask a representative from each table to “share out” so everyone in the room can reap the benefits of every table’s discussion.
Each table represents a theme that Smithsonian educators are thinking and talking about at our own meetings and workshops. The Smithsonian educators form an array of content across art, science and history, and will be addressing the following themes:
- Education technology
- Dedicated spaces for education
- Citizen Science/Citizen History programs
- Early Childhood Education in museums
- You + Your Schools + the Smithsonian.
Affiliate conference attendees are encouraged to consider the project descriptions attached here, and to join that table that best aligns with their home museum’s strengths and interests.
We anticipate a lively and fruitful discussion, and hope to see you there!
