Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers

 

2008 Academies—General Information

The Professional Development Center of the National Science Resources Center (NSRC), an organization of the Smithsonian Institution and the National Academies, is offering a series of exciting opportunities for science teachers—the Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers.

As part of the world’s premier museum and research complex, the NSRC can provide special access for teachers to the scientists, curators, and educators at the Institution. Most Academy sessions will be held at the museums and research centers of the Smithsonian and other museums and laboratories in or near Washington, D.C.

Each of the four Academies is unique in both its approach and science content. This year's academies are:

Biodiversity;

Ecological Field Studies;

Energy and Motion;

Electricity and Magnetism

For information on what each academy includes, does not include, possible college credit for attendees, and hotel accommodations, see below. For specific information on each academy, including programs, venues, restaurants and sightseeing, and related Web links, see that academies' page.

Each academy includes:

·         Hotel accommodations* for Sunday through Thursday nights;

·         A Sunday evening reception and Academy orientation;

·         Daily breakfast and lunch (Monday through Friday);

·         Special Thursday night celebration dinner or event;

·         Transport to and from the daily events (when appropriate); and

·         All materials and tuition.

One additional person—spouse, friend, child—may stay in the participant’s room at no additional cost. Participants from the same area may choose to share a room to defray expenses. Arrangements may be made through the hotel to add a third person in the room for an additional fee.

Academies do not include:

·         Travel to and from the hotel from your point of arrival in Washington;*

·         Parking fees;

·         Evening meals Sunday through Wednesday; or

·         Registration and course fees for graduate credit


*For the Ecological Field Studies Academy in Front Royal, Virginia, limited transportation will be available to and from Dulles and Reagan National airports. Contact the Professional Development Center, nsrcpdcenter@si.edu, for details.

College Credit

Further information will be posted here in the near future.

Accomodations

L’Enfant Plaza Hotel...
The headquarters hotel for the three District of Columbia-based academies, is a first-class hotel at 480 L’Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, D.C. The hotel is a short walk from the National Mall, and is located atop the L’Enfant Plaza station on the Washington Metro (subway) yellow and green lines.

The headquarters hotel for the Ecological Field Studies Academy is the Hampton Inn Front Royal, located near Virginia's Blue Ridge mountains close to the National Zoo's Conservation and Research Center.

Through a special arrangement with the NSRC, each hotel is offering a reduced rate (included in the registration fee) to academy participants during the week of the academy. This special rate will also apply for the weekends before and after the academies, if you choose to extend your stay.

Bring your spouse, family, or friend. Each room can accommodate at least one additional person at no charge. Include on the registration form the names of people who will not be attending the academy but who will stay in your room. Space is limited.

Please do not contract the hotel directly. For more information, visit the L'Enfant Plaza hotel at http://www.lenfantplazahotel.com/about-us.cfm

or

the Hampton Inn, Front Royal at http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index/jhtml?ctyhocn=FTRYLHX.