Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Explore the world of Smithsonian scientists with educators from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Learn about biodiversity through hands-on activities reflecting real research practices.

June 22nd - Marine Biology
July 6th - Watershed Ecology
July 20th - Sharks Biology
August 3rd - Forest Ecology

Help us understand how an invasive parasite (known as “Loxo”) is affecting native mud crabs! Join us out on the docks to count crabs, fish, and other critters so that scientists can better understand the effects of Loxo in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Help us understand how an invasive parasite (known as “Loxo”) is affecting native mud crabs! Join us out on the docks to count crabs, fish, and other critters so that scientists can better understand the effects of Loxo in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Help us understand how an invasive parasite (known as “Loxo”) is affecting native mud crabs! Join us out on the docks to count crabs, fish, and other critters so that scientists can better understand the effects of Loxo in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Help us understand how an invasive parasite (known as “Loxo”) is affecting native mud crabs! Join us out on the docks to count crabs, fish, and other critters so that scientists can better understand the effects of Loxo in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Join us for one or all free talks in this series! You'll learn from members in the Environmental Archaeology Lab and get the chance to peruse the exhibits at the Woodlawn History Center, the oldest building in the Smithsonian still in its original spot. 

July 13 - Native American History in the Chesapeake Bay
Aug. 10 - Shell-button Making
Sept. 14 - After the Chesapeake: Native American History
Oct. 5 - Cemeteries in the Chesapeake Region
Nov. 9 - Maryland Smugglers in the 1650s
Dec. 7 - Discovery of a 1660s Jesuit Chapel and Priests' House in Newtown

Help us understand how an invasive parasite (known as “Loxo”) is affecting native mud crabs! Join us out on the docks to count crabs, fish, and other critters so that scientists can better understand the effects of Loxo in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Teachers, spend your summer with us! Join Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) and Smithsonian's Environmental Research Center (SERC) for an educator professional development opportunity: Utilizing River Otters and Trail Cameras to Build Data Literacy in Your Classroom.

Learn how otters can be used to track biodiversity in ecosystems, how to set up a trail camera, explore the data, receive resources to connect your students with research and animal science careers, and more!

Help us understand how an invasive parasite (known as “Loxo”) is affecting native mud crabs! Join us out on the docks to count crabs, fish, and other critters so that scientists can better understand the effects of Loxo in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Attention outdoor enthusiasts and volunteer scientists! We need your help to get as many water samples from the Chesapeake Bay as possible on May 29th.

There will be two high-resolution satellites, Landsat-9 and Sentinel-2a, gracing the skies above the Chesapeake Bay. We can use your water samples to improve the water quality monitoring algorithms for not one but two satellites. Your small act can still make a big impact in safeguarding our coastal ecosystems. Don't miss out on the fun!

Speaker: Dr. Dennis Whigham, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Join us for a dig day with the Environmental Archaeology Lab! Help us look for evidence of a structure near the Java Ruins on our campus in Edgewater, Maryland. You'll have the chance to work together and with researchers to do a variety of tasks, including sieving sediment and washing/sorting artifacts.