4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m Executive Conference Room, National Museum of Natural History Roundtables: Smithsonian’s New Grand Challenges Offer Grand Opportunities for Affiliates The Smithsonian’s new strategic plan identifies four grand challenges that call for the Smithsonian to broaden access and reach new audiences by bringing the resources of our museums and research centers to people where they learn and live. The strategic plan also calls for the Smithsonian to strengthen American education and enhance our nation’s ability to compete globally. Affiliates are the foundation for diffusing these resources to their communities across the country. We’ve invited Smithsonian experts taking on each of these grand challenges to discuss potential collaborative opportunities with Affiliates. Roundtable 1: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe Margaret Weitekamp, Curator, National Air and Space Museum Erika Reinfeld, Education Specialist, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Tim McCoy, Chair, Department of Mineral Sciences, National Museum of Natural History Roundtable 2: Understanding & Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet Mark Haddon, Director of Education, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Nancy Knowlton, Sant Chair for Marine Sciences, National Museum of Natural History Roundtable 3: Valuing World Cultures John Homiak, Director, National Anthropology Collections & Archives, National Museum of Natural History Magdalena Mieri, Director, Program in Latino History and Culture, National Museum of American History
Roundtable 4: Understanding the American Experience Diana Baird N’Diaye, Cultural Specialist and Curator, Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Susan Nichols, Lunder Education Chair, Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery Roundtable 5: Revitalizing Education Deborah Stokes, Curator for Education, National Museum of African Art Stephanie L. Norby, Executive Director, Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies Tricia Edwards, Education Specialist, National Museum of American History