Happy National Zookeeper Week (July 21 – 26)! Join us in celebrating the dedicated professionals who care for animal ambassadors at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Continue reading National Zookeepers Week 2025
What happens after a mass extinction event? Does nature always “find a way?” Stewart Edie explains what we know about the planet’s ability to survive a hard reboot. Continue reading Ancient fossils show how the last mass extinction forever scrambled the ocean’s biodiversity
Congratulations to Steven Paton! Continue reading Congratulations to Steven Paton!
The Smithsonian museum’s new galleries explore the challenges and delights of life in space Continue reading What to Expect at the Newly Renovated National Air and Space Museum When It Opens This Month
Jules Verne wrote of space travel in 1865 and Edgar Rice Burroughs created an entire series based on John Carter’s adventures on Mars, but these famous writers are not the only ones who imagined life on the Red Planet. Continue reading Early visions of Mars: Meet the 19th-century astronomer who used science fiction to imagine the red planet
Most people try to climb up the career ladder, but Laurie Penland chose to explore the depths instead during almost 30 years with the Smithsonian. Continue reading Smithsonian’s SCUBA Mom Hangs Up Her Fins
Not really. Does anyone really love the lowly leech? (Other than another leech, of course.) Find out more about how these blood-sucking parasites have wormed their way into medical practices, performance art, and EVERY human cavity. Continue reading Bloodsuckers! Or “How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Leeches”
From surprising squirrel migrations to islands popping up out of nowhere, the organization’s scientists tracked strange events as they happened Continue reading A Peculiar, Short-Lived Office at the Smithsonian Once Explored Reports of Bizarre Natural Phenomena
One man’s journey from backyard model airplanes to “Zen and the Art of Aviation Maintenance.” Continue reading A few of my Favorite Things: Jay Flanagan
White-tailed deer are so common today that some areas have been forced to cull populations to reduce the environmental damage caused by their grazing. But only a century ago, this common backyard visitor was on the verge of extinction. Continue reading The rise and fall – and rise again – of white-tailed deer
The Smithsonian's policy on the use of Artificial Intelligence Continue reading The Smithsonian’s policy on the use of Artificial Intelligence
Secretary Bunch explores how we must engage young people if the Smithsonian is to “have tomorrow, bright before us, like a flame.” Continue reading The Kids Are Alright
Kim Sajet, director of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery since 2013, tendered her resignation June 16. Kevin Gover, Under Secretary for Museums and Culture, will serve as interim director of the museum until a replacement is found. Continue reading Kim Sajet steps down as director of the National Portrait Gallery
