Smithsonian Institution

It landed in the Utah desert, carrying samples direct from the asteroid Bennu. Once the capsule was opened, scientists were eager to study them. Smithsonian geologist Tim Rose is among them. Meet Tim and learn about his work with asteroid samples and more at out Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: https://s.si.edu/47Wa2de Photo credit: NASA/Keegan Barber

Today is President Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday, making him the only presidential centenarian. In 1937, a teenage Jimmy Carter joined his local chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA). As a peanut farmer and the only member of FFA to be elected President of the United States, in 1977 Carter reflected, “I...learned the value of agriculture, farm families, stability, commitment, idealism, hope, truth, hard work, patriotism, from the FFA.” President Carter’s FFA jacket is in the collection of our National Museum of American History. 📸 : Photograph of President Jimmy Carter by Ken Regan, in the collection of the National Museum of American History.

The papers of one of the most prolific American inventors of all time have come to the Smithsonian. Learn more from our Smithsonian Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation!

North Carolina's dogwoods are beginning to show their fall colors, with their white blooms (actually clusters of bracts, modified leaves) emerging in spring. Since 1941, this beautiful tree has been North Carolina's state flower, with its vibrant red berries offering food to birds. As communities across the Southeast come together in the wake of Hurricane Helene, we hope the hopeful beauty of 'Jean’s Appalachian Snow' flowering dogwood, cared for by Smithsonian Gardens near the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, brings a moment of calm.

Each tropical tree is a sponge. 🌳 It absorbs and stores different amounts of carbon, which is the main greenhouse gas heating up our planet and contributing to climate change. While satellites in space help us estimate the amount of carbon stored in entire forests, the Smithsonian is working to make those projections even more accurate. Through a groundbreaking, collaborative effort called GEO-Trees, we’re working to measure individual trees—from root to leaf—using on-the-ground techniques combined with aerial scans of the forest canopy. Knowing precisely how much carbon is stored by each tree will help scientists and land managers make strategic decisions to protect our planet. https://lnkd.in/eRqK9WqF Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) | Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute #GEOTrees #OurSustainablePlanet Bezos Earth Fund Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

Across the country, communities are harnessing local resources—people, land, intergenerational knowledge—to secure a nutritious, sustainable future for us all. On Friday, September 27, join us for a timely conversation with innovative leaders in the field at the National Museum of the American Indian Washington, D.C., from noon to 1 p.m. ET. The event is free and open to the public, and ASL interpretation is provided. This program is produced by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Festival in association with the Smithsonian's Office of Government Relations. It marks the second anniversary of the Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, a collaboration between The White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

In the 1968 Olympic medal ceremony for the 200-meter race, gold medalist Tommie Smith and bronze medalist John Carlos, both organizers of the Olympic Project for Human Rights, raised their fists in solidarity with the Black Power movement in the United States and human rights around the world. Decades later, artist Glenn Kaino collaborated with Smith to create this monumental sculpture, “Bridge,” (2013-2014). From a distance, "Bridge” flows across Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Luce Foundation Center. But up close, the viewer can observe the detailed design of 200 golden casts of Smith's arm and gloved fist, reflecting the power of his 1968 protest. Swipe to see Tommie Smith and John Carlos, along with silver medalist, Australia’s Peter Norman, on the podium in 1968. 1️⃣: Glenn Kaino, “Bridge,” 2013-2014, fiberglass, steel, wire and gold paint, dimensions variable, Smithsonian American Art Museum. 2️⃣: Tommie Smith and John Carlos" by an unidentified artist, 1968. Acquired through the generosity of David C. Ward. National Portrait Gallery

Introducing "Climate Literacy: Essential Principles for Understanding and Addressing Climate Change!" Designed with public input by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), this guide for educators, communicators, and decision-makers explores how the climate system works, how human actions influence climate, and how climate influences people and other parts of the Earth system. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Smithsonian Institution, represented by Carol O'Donnell, the Douglas M. Lapp and Anne B. Keiser Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, were co-leads of the interagency federal team at USGCRP who worked to update this climate guide to reflect current climate science, engagement, workforce development, education methods, and include a focus on informed climate decisions. “We know from hundreds of listening sessions held over the past year that educators and youth are hungry for resources, knowledge, and skills to address climate change," said Carol O’Donnell. "This guide will transform how climate science is addressed in classrooms and communities across the country.” ➡️ The guide is available in dynamic, accessible web, and PDF formats. To access the guide, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gfSqsypn Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gk3fQdJm

“Because I am an immigrant who came to the U.S. and has reached [...] achievements beyond my wildest dreams, it is my job to continue paying it forward.” - Lieutenant Colonel Marisol Chalas Lieutenant Colonel Chalas is the first Latina National Guard Black Hawk helicopter pilot. Born in the Dominican Republic, she moved to Massachusetts as a child. After enlisting in the Army National Guard, she was commissioned as an aviation officer in 2001. As the first person in her family to graduate college, she went on to earn three master's degrees and credits her mentors and family for pushing her forward. The Black Hawk helicopter is considered the most versatile military helicopter. As a pilot, some of Chalas’ duties could include responding to forest fires and transporting medevac crews to emergencies. #SmithsonianHHM 📷 Maj. Marisol A. Chalas. Credit: Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Catch up with pianist and astrophysicist Amir Siraj before a performance of “Spiegel im Spiegel” composed by Arvo Pärt amongst a display of galactic images. Siraj began his career as an astrophysicist in high school with our Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s summer program in Cambridge Massachusetts and has trained in piano since childhood. For him, music and science "both come from a place of curiosity and exploration,” yet each allows his brain to work in new and diverse ways. Are you a creatively curious student interested in working with the Smithsonian? Learn more about Smithsonian internships and fellowships on our website. https://www.si.edu/ofi #piano #space #astrophysics Video Description: Footage of a young man wearing a blue shirt playing a piano next to screen featuring images of space is paired with an interview with that same man in in outdoor setting. Visuals alternate between the piano and outdoor interview. Text on screen includes captions and title, “In Rehearsal with astrophysicist and pianist Amir Siraj.”