Aug
16

Present History

The latest collaboration between the Smithsonian and USA Today is a downloadable activity guide for kids that highlights significant, game-changing, milestones that excite, inspire and offer moments of reflection over the Smithsonian’s 175-year history.

Cover of education guide Present History

The Office of the Under Secretary for Education, the Office of Communications and External Affairs, and the Office of Advancement, are pleased to announce the release of Present History, the newest offering in our continuing series of educational activity guides in collaboration with USA TODAY. Drawing from our deep well of scholarship, research, and institutional memory, Present History takes its inspiration from the Smithsonian’s 175th anniversary this month.

On Sunday, August 15, the guide will be distributed nationwide to nearly 2 million USA TODAY subscribers, helping commemorate 175 years of the Smithsonian providing education and inspiration to the nation and the world. The objects, stories, games, and puzzles within this guide will further our institutional goal to increase our reach, relevance, and impact for communities everywhere.  

Ashley Naranjo led an interdisciplinary content team of educators from the National Air and Space Museum, the Na­tional Museum of Natural History, the National Postal Museum, the Office of the Under Secretary for Edu­cation, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, all of whom were instrumental in bringing this activity guide to life, as were the many people throughout the Smithsonian community who contributed and provided reviews and feedback.

Smithsonian educators work every day to make our robust content more accessible, not just through technology, but also by providing high-quality no- and low-tech educational materials for those who lack home access to computers or reliable Internet connections. This engaging collection accomplishes that goal in a way that is uniquely Smithsonian: a logic puzzle using precious stones from our National Gem Collection; a trivia challenge organized around Smithsonian art, culture, history, and science; a chutes and ladders-inspired game featuring 19th-century inventions.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this impressive and inventive collection. It was truly a collaborative endeavor. To check it out for yourselves, we invite you to visit the page on the Learning Lab website, https://s.si.edu/PresentHistory, where you can also download a printable guide. We hope you will share it with lifelong learners of any age.  

Sincerely, 

Dr. Monique M. Chism
Under Secretary for Education                                          

Julissa Marenco 
Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs
Chief Marketing Officer

0815NetworkPESmithsonian175_webDownload

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Posted: 16 August 2021
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.