SMITHSONIAN EDUCATION AND ACCEss

SmithsonianCampaign

At the SmithSoniAn, we believe every person’s dream can come true. But some need new dreams and an expanded sense of what’s possible. We challenge people of all ages to imagine lives of adventure and wonder. We introduce them to scholars who are researching whether Mars can support life, protecting animals on the verge of extinction, translating diaries of those who witnessed history and going on digs to discover evidence of the distant past.

The Smithsonian is uniquely suited to serve 21st-century learners. Our more than 300 educators work with scientists, curators and researchers to bring our stories, collections, lessons, artifacts, short films and games to students, teachers and learners of all ages. We reveal the connections that link our historic, artistic, scientific and cultural scholarship to educational offerings so that they are accurate, accessible and affordable.

We know 21st-century learners often are self-directed. We envision creating a boundless library of digital offerings to stimulate their curiosity and provide them with new perspectives. We have learned from pilot programs that web-based technologies, digitized images and interactive tools allow learners to see and experience places they may never visit. We believe delivering real-world learning expands our reach in exciting and innovative ways.

A gift to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Education and Access will support groundbreaking research, innovative project and program development and the broad dissemination of high-quality, educational resources to learners everywhere.

Thank you.

Leadership Message

clAudine K. brownASSiSTAnT SEcrETAryEducATiOn And AccESS

ThE smIThsONIAN was founded on the

principle that education empowers a nation.

Every year, Smithsonian educators share the

institution’s knowledge, collections and research

with more than 8 million learners, on-site and

online. The Smithsonian Campaign will extend

that reach as education becomes more and

more technologically advanced and accessible,

helping inspire the next generation of educators

and building the spaces, resources and

programs for learners of all ages engaged in

exploring science, history, art and culture.

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A Mandate for Education

AcceSS to educAtion

The Smithsonian creates methods and models for innovative informal education and aligns them to educational requirements in formal learning settings. Our Smithsonian-wide approach leverages resources, strengthens communications, coordinates programming and rewards inventive thinking and collaborations.

Gifts to the Smithsonian campaign will foster a spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration within the institution. Our educators are developing and launching partnerships, which are transforming how we work and how we engage our visitors.

SPAceS For educAtion

new tools and technologies are broadening our access worldwide. The nation’s growing diversity challenges us to reach new audiences and ensures that our collections, exhibitions and outreach programs speak to all Americans. We seek to expand our learning labs, which promote active learning and allow us to develop prototypes and test new ideas.

By investing in the Smithsonian campaign, your gifts enable us to expand tested education programs through the use of mobile technology, 3d digitized collections, smarter websites and other digital assets, such as games, videos and infographics. With these digital resources, the Smithsonian will increase its audience and improve the quality of the experience for learners.

leAderS in educAtion

The Smithsonian is creating a presence in classrooms and communities across the nation. We collaborate with more than 900 museums, educational entities, other nonprofits and entrepreneurial groups to strengthen the teaching of science, history, art and culture. implementing educational policies allows the Smithsonian to align our research with broader national goals.

One of our funding priorities is endowing positions —  the assistant secretary for Education and Access and Smithsonian-wide educators and fellows.

CAsE fOr sUppOrT

The Smithsonian is a national treasure. We must support its place in American education, culture and world history.—Bill GATES

Smithsonian Summer institute teacher participants edit podcasts about artwork in the Smithsonian American Art museum’s permanent collection. cOurTESy SMiThSOniAn

AMEricAn ArT MuSEuM

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Our Campaign Priorities

The Smithsonian Campaignwill transform a nationaltreasure into a catalyst for change. Please join us as we raise $1.5 billion to spark discovery, tellAmerica’s story, inspirelifelong learning and reachpeople everywhere.

The smithsonian is raising $75 million for education across the institution.

AcceSS to educAtion

We seek a total of $10 million for revitalizing education. investments in education allow us to develop distance-learning programs, curricula, digital assets and more. A gift of $25,000 will produce an education video. An investment of $2 million supports the development of traveling exhibitions.

SPAceS For educAtion

We seek a total of $9 million for learning centers. A gift of $2 million funds media studios for teens or a theater for young learners.

We seek a total of $13 million for enhanced technology and digital assets. Gifts starting at $25,000 enable us to digitize and improve online resources, while an investment of $5 million will create a new web platform.

leAderS in educAtion

We seek a total of $15 million for endowed education positions. A gift of $2 million endows a Smithsonian-wide educator. An investment of $250,000 brings professionals from Smithsonian Affiliates to the institution for training. Gifts starting at $25,000 support an intern or fellow. An investment of $5 million endows the position of the assistant secretary for Education and Access.

FOr MOrE inFOrMATiOn, cAll 202.633.3010 Or viSiT SMiThSOniAncAMpAiGn.OrG SmithsonianCampaign

Gifts to the Smithsonian campaign are helping to foster a spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration within the institution.

created for teens and tweens, Smithsonian’s Q?rius is a new way for students to make sense of the connections between nature, the planet, the universe and their lives. phOTO JAMES di lOrETO, SMiThSOniAn inSTiTuTiOn

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O�ce of Education and AccessSmithsonian

smithsonianeducation.org | my.si.edu

oFFice oF AdvAncement

MRC 051 , PO Box 37012Washington, DC 20013202.633.3010 

COVER A fourth-grade student from davidsonville elementary in maryland tests the ph of the rhode river as part of the Smithsonian environmental research center’s estuary chesapeake program. cOurTESy SMiThSOniAn EnvirOnMEnTAl

rESEArch cEnTEr