2: Strengthened Research (Increase of Knowledge)

Pursue scientific advances, discovery, and scholarship in the natural and physical sciences, arts, humanities, and social sciences by focusing resources in areas in which the Institution has recognized strengths due to staff , research platforms, and collections.

Other Information:

The great scientific tradition of the Smithsonian dates back to its very origins. We are immensely proud of our preeminent role in American science. With its vast collections, the Smithsonian leads the world in collections-based research. Given the many critical sciencebased issues facing the public today, the Smithsonian has a pressing obligation to pursue its dual mission of seeking to answer key scientific questions and increasing the public’s understanding of the latest scientific discoveries. A recent survey by the National Science Foundation revealed that 90 percent of Americans are moderately or very interested in learning about new scientific discoveries. Unfortunately, of the 90 percent, fewer than 60 percent knew that it takes 365 days for the Earth to revolve around the sun. As a nation, our level of scientific literacy remains abysmally low, especially in view of the momentous decisions we will have to make, as individuals and as a nation, in the 21st century. The Smithsonian is uniquely qualified to educate the public about the scientific issues the nation faces. Not only do we have the collections, personnel, and facilities to perform important scientific studies, but we enjoy the public’s trust and respect—not to mention 93 percent name recognition. It is sometimes said that one of Washington’s best-kept secrets is that the Smithsonian conducts scientific research that not only supports its museums, but goes far beyond. The Institution needs to raise public awareness about the nature and extent of our contributions to knowledge. (For example, the births at the National Zoo of the panda cub Tai Shan and two litters of cheetah cubs—the first in the Zoo’s 116-year history—have heightened public appreciation of the Smithsonian’s advances in reproductive biology.) We therefore seek to rededicate ourselves to communicating our scientific achievements to the public in understandable terms, so more Americans can learn about the science underpinning the issues of the day, and more young people may be encouraged to become involved in scientific endeavors themselves. The Smithsonian has developed a Strategic Plan for Science (see Appendix 2). It encompasses the following goals, to be achieved by the end of the decade: Modernize our approach to science and allocate our human, financial, and physical resources to four specific areas of inquiry: the origin and nature of the universe; the formation and evolution of the Earth and similar planets; the discovery and understanding of life’s diversity; and the study of human diversity and cultural change. Reach further back into the history of the universe, and project its future. Become more confi dent in answering the question of whether we are alone in the universe. Publish the fi rst edition of the Encyclopedia of Life. Bett er understand the origins of humankind. Deliver the results of our science to the public in inspiring, engaging, informative venues, using 21st-century technology. Increase recognition of Smithsonian science by the general public, the Congress, and the philanthropic community to a level comparable to that enjoyed by our museums. Increase fi nancial support for Smithsonian science dramatically. Take the lead in educational strategies to help the American public make bett er use of scientifi c information in its exercise of democracy. The Institution’s reputation as a formidable scholarly body goes beyond science to include the highly respected collections-based art, history, and cultural studies research being done by Smithsonian curators, historians, social scientists, and other experts. The Smithsonian will continue to ground its exhibitions and other educational off erings in the fi nest scholarship and to provide the products of its research—such as exhibition catalogs, books, symposia, and gallery talks—to subject matt er experts and the general public alike.

Objective(s):

4.1: Science Research

4.2: Art, History, and Cultural Studies Research

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