Dec
14

2017 Education Awards recognize excellence and creativity

The 2017 Smithsonian Education Awards for Achievement and Innovation were presented by Secretary David Skorton Dec. 7. These awards recognize creativity and excellence in educational programming, exhibitions, publications and digital media.

 

Two glass awards on table

2017 Smithsonian Education Awards for Achievement and Innovation. (Photo by Michael Barnes)

Carrie Kotcho, the Deputy Associate Director for Audience Engagement and A. James Clark Director of Education and Impact at the National Museum of American History, received the Achievement Award for her leadership and commitment to furthering educational impact at the American History Museum and the Smithsonian. The many projects she has designed and managed, which range from mobile games and curricular materials, to open online courses and more, coupled with instrumental research that informed education outcomes and metrics for our new Strategic Plan, reflect Carrie’s vision, determination, and personal passion for education.

Skorton and Kotcho pose for photo

Achievement Awardee Carrie Kotcho (right) with Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton. (Photo by Michael Barnes)

Museum on Main Street, from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, received the Innovation Award for its work engaging underserved rural audiences across America with evolving and innovative digital projects. Through initiatives such as “Stories from Main Street,” a web portal for collecting and saving stories about life in small-town America, to “Stories: YES,” which supports youth participants in researching their town’s histories and assembling their work in digital formats, MoMS helps its audiences embrace local history with an approach grounded in community. Accepting the award was the MoMS team, Carol Harsh, Tiffany Cheng, Terri Cobb, Robbie Davis, Selwyn Ramp and Shannon Sullivan.

Group shot with Secretary Skorton

The Museum on Main Street team from Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Services with their Innovation Award. From left, Smithsonian Secretary David Skorton, Tiffany Cheng, Terri Cobb, Carol Harsh, Shannon Sullivan, Robbie Davis and Selwyn Ramp. (Photo by Michael Barnes)

The Smithsonian Women’s Committee, endowed the awards in honor of their 40th anniversary of service to the Smithsonian.

 

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Posted: 14 December 2017
About the Author:

Alex di Giovanni is primarily responsible for "other duties as assigned" in the Office of Communications and External Affairs. She has been with the Smithsonian since 2006 and plans to be interred in the Smithson crypt.