The Smithsonian Institution holds more than 268 million artifacts, books, and specimens in sixteen museums and galleries, the National Zoo, and numerous research facilities in the United States and abroad. The Smithsonian Institution website provides some level of access to a staggering amount of these considerable resources. The opening page of the site provides an alphabetized list of subject areas as well as a helpful "Where do I Find?" button to locate specific exhibits. Both scheduling and location information is available for anyone planning a visit to the museums on the National Mall. Teachers in grades 3-8 will be appreciative of the thorough lesson plans for science classes available online. Text and image files of these lesson plans may be captured for classroom use through Adobe Acrobat Reader 3.0. For all educators, Smithsonian Education (http://educate.si.edu/) provides teaching resources as well as information on regional workshops and summer seminars for teachers. The online Resource Guide describes 455 educational products from forty different museums, research units, and programs of the Smithsonian. The site is designed to serve a general audience. Throughout the site are informative essays, clear descriptions, and helpful images of science and technology. The site is up-to-date with many pages dedicated to modern findings and discussion of emerging and competing theories of science. The site's graphically appealing design, fast-loading pages, and their accurate, thorough content make science exciting for even the casual visitor. The Smithsonian Institution site is extremely valuable, easy to use, compelling, and an excellent starting point for anyone seeking to know about science, its processes, outcomes, and history.
**Review Updated: 1/8/03
Although the layout of this site has changed a bit the wealth of resources mentioned in the original review are still accessible. On the front page you can choose between three main subject categories under Explore and Learn: Art & Design, History & Culture, and Science & Technology. There are also special sections for kids and teachers. You can also still view the A-Z listing of the site by clicking the link at the top of the page.
