Jun

Deep Time: Old fossils, new meanings

Paleobiologist Scott Wing explains the science behind the spectacle. Continue reading Deep Time: Old fossils, new meanings

Jun

Deep Time: “The lessons of the past inform the future”

Kiren Jahangeer, a long-time volunteer at the National Museum of Natural History, took a very special tour of the “David H. Koch Hall of Fossils—Deep Time” with the museum’s director, Kirk Johnson. Continue reading Deep Time: “The lessons of the past inform the future”

Dec

ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was Nov. 25 – Dec. 1, 2018

Art museums are offering special tours for the visually impaired but are some exhibits becoming a little too personal? Continue reading ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was Nov. 25 – Dec. 1, 2018

Sep

ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was Sept. 10–Sept.16, 2017

This week, we took our mind off the hideous sea monster Hurricane Harvey washed up by savoring a cup of coffee (thank you, bees) and thinking about the intersection of art, inspiration and money. Continue reading ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was Sept. 10–Sept.16, 2017

Sep

ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was Sept. 3 – Sept. 9, 2017

Capt. Kirk beamed up, a witness to history passed on, we got into a sticky situation with some Neanderthals and learned that even ticks and head lice need love. Continue reading ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was Sept. 3 – Sept. 9, 2017

Aug

ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was July 30 – August 5, 2017

Doom may be impeding as some deny climate change and see omens in the solar eclipse, but NASA is too broke to send us all to Mars, so we spent this week enjoying some cool things right here on Earth—like narwhals! Continue reading ICYMI: Highlights from the week that was July 30 – August 5, 2017

May

Working to save the Bay (and the rest of the planet) for 50 years

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center set up its first lab in an old dairy barn on the banks of the Rhode River. Five decades later, SERC is at the forefront of research on the effects of climate change, pollution and invasive species on our coasts and waterways. Continue reading Working to save the Bay (and the rest of the planet) for 50 years

Jun

Arctic shipping: Good for invasive species, bad for the rest of nature

A pair of Smithsonian marine biologists argue that a warming Arctic puts the area at risk for inviting invasive species. Continue reading Arctic shipping: Good for invasive species, bad for the rest of nature

Dec

Humans are sinking coastal wetlands

Coastal wetlands could cope with rising sea levels caused by climate change–if human beings would leave them alone. Continue reading Humans are sinking coastal wetlands

Apr

If a tree falls in the forest, we’ll hear it 100 years from now

A century from now, Smithsonian scientists will have a wealth of data on climate change from a forest that is being planted today. Continue reading If a tree falls in the forest, we’ll hear it 100 years from now