08-10-1846 The Smithsonian Institution: Then and Now
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| Audience/Grade: | College Freshman-Continuing Education |
| Discipline(s): |
Aerospace Engineering Biological Systems and Agricultural Engineering Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering Engineering Management Entrepreneurship and Innovation General Engineering, Engineering Science Geological Engineering History of Science and Technology Industrial Engineering Manufacturing Engineering Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering Mineral and Mining Engineering |
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| Learning Resource Type: |
Community - Blog |
| Media Type: |
Unknown |
| Author(s): |
Wayne Clough |
| Description: | Engineering Pathway's "Today in History" for August 10 by guest blogger, Dr. Wayne Clough, head of the Smithsonian. Excerpt: "Today in History - August 10, 1846 - by a vote of 26 to 13, the U.S. Senate passed the act organizing the Smithsonian Institution. Among its provisions: a Board of Regents, a Secretary, and a "suitable" building with rooms for the arrangement of objects of natural history, a chemical laboratory, a library, a gallery of art, and lecture rooms; and the transfer to the Institution of "all objects of art and of foreign and curious research, and all objects of natural history, plants, and geological and mineralogical specimens belonging to the United States." Early in its history, the Smithsonian was the principal scientific institution for the federal government. Over time, dozens of government agencies with research missions emerged, along with more than 200 research universities, and the Smithsonian museums increasingly came to represent our public face, with our research hidden behind our walls or moved outside of Washington altogether. Through my recent visits to our various science centers and field activities "in Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, Florida, Wyoming, Panama, Kenya, and elsewhere" it is clear that science is thriving at the Smithsonian. This past year, I have also spent time behind the scenes in our museums, conservation centers and archives. It is clear that research and scholarship is also the lifeblood of the Smithsonian's work in the arts, history and culture. These elements form the common thread that weaves together all our parts into a single great Institution. One of our principal challenges for the future is to maintain our research capacity, since without it we will suffer a loss of relevance. Our other challenge is to inform the public about our research and the myriad resources we have available for educators. We believe we can do this both by conscious, direct communication efforts, but also through engagement of the public in ways in which they can communicate with us." |
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| Keywords: | Smithsonian |
| Is Component of: |
"Today in History" Blog of the Engineering Pathway Digital Library |
| Usage Tip | |
| Use of Resource: |
Events in History can be used to connect current technologies with their historical roots. |
| Difficulty: |
Medium |
| Interactivity Level: |
Low |
| Version Info | |
| Publication Date: | August 2009 |
| Platform/Format: |
WWW |
| Cost: |
Free |
| Download URL: | http://www.k-grayengineeringeducation.com/blog/index.php/2012/08/ |
| Metadata: |
IEEE LOM Record |
| Collection: |
NEEDS
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