Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Hello again! We have explored virtual museums on art, science, and aquatic wildlife. It is only fitting that we explore a museum that is out of this world. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Many museums are still closed to the public, including this one, but it has quite a lot to offer virtually. Every month they have a new theme for learning, this month, it is the International Space Station. November 1st marked 20 years of human presence on the International Space Station. There are video tours of the laboratory, spacewalking, and even showering in space, international space station.
This site is so amazing because they have education plans developed for numerous topics, including World War II, the Artemis program, earthquakes, spacesuits, and Mars learning guides. The learning guides have slides and activities that can be completed every day of the week that include videos, writing activities, and experiments. The Artemis learning guide is especially interesting and has an experiment on how to make moon rock. If you want to see the one-week lesson plan, check it out here.
Many of the plans are for elementary school/ middle school children (5th-7th), but they could be completed by younger learners with some assistance. It is important to expose learners to science. It helps them to explore and to understand the world. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is a wonderful asset for instructional designers, educators, parents, and students. Please, if you have a moment, take a look at what it has to offer.
-Mandy
Mandy,
ReplyDeleteAnother great post this week! I went to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum link and just finished learning about the Union Army using hot air balloons for aerial reconnaissance. Crazy! Then I went to the Astronomy section and did an exercise on orbital dynamics. This is a great link! Once my son is done stumbling through his reading practice I am going to show him about the constellations (after our obligatory zoo animal check in…). I can’t up see what you come up with next.
Andy
Andy, I really enjoyed going through this website. There are too many amazing activities to count. Most of the activities are perfect for a virtual learning environment. I must say this may be my favorite virtual museum to date.
Delete-Mandy
Mandy,
ReplyDeleteAnother great post this week! I went to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum link and just finished learning about the Union Army using hot air balloons for aerial reconnaissance. Crazy! Then I went to the Astronomy section and did an exercise on orbital dynamics. This is a great link! Once my son is done stumbling through his reading practice I am going to show him about the constellations (after our obligatory zoo animal check in…). I can’t up see what you come up with next.
Andy
Mandy,
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy coming to your blog to read the great information you provide on virtual reality. Your post is correct, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is out of this world! I have always been a bit fascinated with space as I think most of us are since I was a child. I love the ability to be able to read and learn about the upcoming events in the space station as well as things like space walking and how to spot the space station. I really appreciate the mystery of space and deep down wish I would have had the opportunity to visit space. This is a cool technology and I really appreciate getting tuned into it. I will be visiting it more frequently. Great post! Have a great day!
-Kev
Kevin, I have always wanted to go to space as well. During this past summer when the international space station would pass over head we would spot it and it always felt awesome to know there are people up there, they really do have the best view. They are lucky.
Delete-Mandy
Mandy,
ReplyDeleteAs usual great post on virtual museums. I wanted to share with you something that is taking place in here in El Paso…a drive thru dinosaur exhibit. I might just go drop by at take a look…I am big kid!
http://jurassicempire.com/
https://www.ktsm.com/local/ultimate-drive-thru-event-jurassic-empire/
v/r
Andy E.
Andy, this museum is awesome! The website stated that the dinosaurs walk around! Can you imagine having a Velociraptor walk by you? I need to get back to Texas. My girls would really enjoy this museum. Thank you for posting the links, I appreciate it.
Delete-Mandy
Mandy,
ReplyDeleteI love the Smithsonian museums; the vastness of the collections they house is truly awesome. If their virtual platforms offer even one percent of their curated material, it could keep someone going for days. What is even more impressive is the learning that can take place through virtual exploration of an actual location. If anything, learning may be better enabled virtually than it would be during an actual visit. I have been to many museums, and when visiting them I find myself over stimulated and I end up just walking around and looking at items for the aesthetic value as opposed to taking a genuine appreciation in the history or value of them. In my opinion, virtual museum provide learners and educators with the ability to dissect and analyze artifacts in a more thorough and comprehensive way than actual museum visits can. I am sure that seeing an image of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling does not serve justice to the brilliance of Michelangelo, but exploring it virtually does provide the opportunity to appreciate all of the fine details and the artist’s intent. Thanks for your post Mandy.
-Donny
Donny, I know what you mean. Museums can be overwhelming. When I go into one I feel the urge to see everything and yes that does mean rushing at times. The virtual museum experience is one that you can take your time with. I agree with you, virtual museums provide a more comprehensive experience.
Delete-Mandy
Mandy,
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool. I always wanted to go into space, but I don't have the physical body for it, or do I have the mental capacity to learn what is needed. However, if they ever need someone to go make inappropriate jokes, and play pranks on the other astronauts I expect I will get a call. This post is perfect timing with the release of NASA's photo collection from their early days of space exploration. It is supposed to contain pictures never seen before, including the first ever space selfie. This was a good post I enjoyed the tour. Thank you!
Mike, I always wanted to go to space as well. I still think about it but I also do not know what I could possibly offer lol. Just some exclamations of whoa! that looks cool! Lol . I would have loved to have this virtual opportunity as a kid.
Delete-Mandy
Mandy,
ReplyDeleteThanks again for another great opportunity to learn some cool stuff while spending some quality time exploring with my daughter. We have marked our calendar for the live chat with Astronaut Victor Glover on December 3rd. Pretty cool. Unfortunately it was a bit too much for my little one to grasp. She does not quite understand the concept of outer space or other planets. Since mom lives in Maryland and we live in Texas she asked if “mommy was on another planet” and if mommy “had to wear a suit like that when she goes outside.”
Mike W.