<p>Use the worksheet, videos, images, and informational texts for the activity "Challenging Perceptions of Zoos," to discuss how zoological and conservation parks carry out their mission to save species. Through the lens of the Western Lowland gorilla, Cuban crocodile, Sloth bear, California sea lion, and the Asian elephant--consider how these animals--endangered in their natural habitats through climate change, human conflicts, or hunting--are being conserved, or saved from extinction through the work of scientists and staff in zoos and conservation parks. <br></p> <hr> <p>KEYWORDS: student engagement, teen council, conservation biology, Earth Optimism, #earthoptimism, animals, zoos, zoo, zoological</p>

<p><strong>IMPORTANT: Click on the "i" for information icon and the paperclip icons as you move through the collection.</strong><br><br>Exploring: Ancient Egypt, the Nile River, and glass museum objects, paper-craft, and sand art</p> <p>Rationale for Instruction: <br></p> <ul><li>Through the introduction, museum visit, and activities, students connect with an ancient and diverse culture in ways both conceptual and concrete. The ancient Egyptians shaped our modern civilization in fundamental ways and left legacies that are still present today. </li></ul> <p>Objectives:</p> <ul><li>Explain features of the daily life of an Ancient Egyptian living on the Nile River, including boat transportation, dress, and animal life. </li><li>Explore the ancient origins of glass making in Egypt.</li><li>Examine how glass making relates to object making, animal representation, and the desert environment of Egypt</li><li>Plan, create, and share digital and physical works of art that represent ancient (sand art) and modern art forms (digital photography with filters) as well as representational art (paper-craft) landscape.</li></ul> <p><strong>EDUCATORS | </strong><strong><a href="https://learninglab.si.edu/q/ll-c/8MmERhz4keCesAxN#r/390900">LESSON PLAN</a> </strong>of the original "Nile, Nile Crocodile" <br>EDUCATORS | For a poem listening and writing activity, visit "<a href="https://learninglab.si.edu/q/ll-c/R4i0dWPqT8ayxkGT">Ozymandias" collection</a><br>EDUCATORS | <em><a href="https://asia.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Exploring-the-Art-of-Ancient-Egypt.pdf">Exploring the Art of Ancient Egypt </a></em>Resource<br><br>SET THE STAGE:<br></p> <ul><li>Maps - Look at the maps in the Smithsonian collection; Where do you think you'll journey to in this collection?</li><li>"This is Sand" App - an tablet app that changes the pixels on the screen into digital sand.</li><li>Video about The Nile (for learners who prefer a concrete example)</li><li>Thought journey down the Nile River; Ask questions about observations along the way. If you are able to transform the furniture to reflect a boat, do so. </li><li>Glass making video as well as a primary source text from 1904 (for learners who prefer a concrete example); Help make the connection between the desert sand environment and glass making. </li></ul> <p>MUSEUM "VISIT"<br></p> <ul><li>Go to the gallery; read the panels and explore the objects. <strong>The gallery has been re-created in the Learning Lab collection</strong></li><li>Explore the glass vessels-->What do you notice?</li><li>Observe the glass animals-->Take turns reading the informational texts; What do the animals represent?</li></ul> <p>~ BREAK ~<br></p> <p>ACTIVITY STATIONS (rotate between activity stations)<br></p> <ul><li>SAND ART - Create your own ancient Egyptian glass vessel through a sand art design similar to the decorated glass in the museum.</li><li>"ANCIENT" PHOTOS - Use digital tablets to take photos in a museum gallery and use the built-in filters to create 'ancient-looking' photos like the ones that document historic museum excavations. </li><li>PAPERCRAFT LANDSCAPE - Create a three-dimensional landscape of ancient Egypt based on the animals and structures observed in the museum gallery and in the introductory materials. Templates and examples are included. Document your results using photography.</li></ul> <p></p> <p>Tags: decision-making, self-determination, access, disability, accessibility, neurodiversity, special education, SPED, out of school learning, informal learning, distance learning, cognitive, social skills, engagement, passion, creativity, empowerment, All Access Digital Arts Program, teens in museums, teens, teenagers, after school, out of school learning.</p> <p></p>

<p><strong>IMPORTANT: Click on the "i" for information icon and the paperclip icons as you move through the collection.</strong></p> <p>Have you ever wondered what's going on out there in the universe? Would you like to discover exciting things about planets, stars, and galaxies? Today, we will go on a GALAXY QUEST to EXPLORE THE UNIVERSE!<br><br>RATIONALE | Digital technology has transformed how we explore the Universe. We now have the ability to peer into space right from our homes and laptop computers. Telescopes, photography, and spectroscopy remain the basic tools that scientists—astronomers and cosmologists—use to explore the universe, but digital light detectors and powerful computer processors have enhanced these tools. Observatories in space—like the Hubble Space Telescope—have shown us further into space then we have ever seen before.<br><br><strong>EDUCATORS | </strong><a href="https://learninglab.si.edu/q/ll-c/vAnMbmJMKjsNVbpW#r/379939">LESSON PLAN</a> of the original "Galaxy Quest" <br><br>Lesson Objectives:<br>1. Process and save at least one digital image of a galaxy or space image (with caption)<br>2. Create a three-dimensional astronomy sculpture (galaxy or other space body, space alien, plant, animal)<br>3. Create a digital astronomy sculpture (galaxy or other space body, space alien, plant, animal)<br>4. Visit the Explore the Universe exhibition at NASM and identify Hubble parts (mirror, lens, spectroscope)<br><br>Learning Objectives:<br>1. What a galaxy is<br>2. What a space telescope is<br>3. Learn how to open an image on the computer and process it<br>4. Socialize well in the museum setting</p> <hr> <p>Tags: astrophotography, galaxy, space, maker, decision-making, self-determination, access, disability, accessibility, neurodiversity, special education, SPED, out of school learning, informal learning, distance learning, cognitive, social skills, engagement, passion, creativity, empowerment, All Access Digital Arts Program, teens in museums, teens, teenagers, after school, out of school learning. <br></p> <p></p>

<p>Examples: videos about murals at the Smithsonian; murals about pieces in the Smithsonian collections; murals about social issues; murals through time; artists working on murals; design process of murals; celebratory murals about various kinds of labor and industries; protest murals; murals depicting an idealized version of history; example of student project/artist statements</p>

<p>This topical collection looks at girls' diversity and empowerment, as well as gender stereotypes. Examples below are depictions of girls--both antiquated and modern--domestic and career expectations, educational opportunities, personal grooming and beauty, emotions and attitudes, and traditional representations.</p><p><br>How have views of girlhood changed over time? What images evoke strength and empowerment? What are some stereotypes? What is still true of girlhood today?</p>

<p>Use the creation of mini comics to explore multiple perspectives of the sensitive historical and contemporary issue of migration. Background information explores the multiplicity of immigration realities, and focus on the personal stories that explain why people move.  Activity could be adapted to showcase a variety of contemporary topics and teen identity.<br><br>KEYWORDS: immigration, migration, forced migration, Latino, maker, making, comic, zine, teen council, student engagement, identity</p>

<p>Check out the wide variety of careers available at the Smithsonian and Smithsonian-adjacent fields. From Art to Zoology and everything in-between--if you have a passion and interest--there's a STEAM career for you!</p>