Problem Solving with Smithsonian Experts

Some GALILEO staff members recently attended the “Smithsonian Online Conference: Problem Solving with Smithsonian Experts,” including one day (April 13) focusing on “Understanding the American Experience” (with sessions about “How do we change a stereotype?,” “What can science tell us about American history?,” and “What does clothing communicate?”) and a second day (April 14) focusing on “Valuing World Cultures” (sessions included “Who owns music?,” “What happens when a people meets its past?,” and “How does design solve everyday problems?”). These thought-provoking sessions demonstrated how expertise across a broad range of fields can be brought to bear on fascinating challenges: for example, “What can science tell us about American history?” explored the application of modern forensic science to human bones discovered at historic sites – and how this material evidence can help us understand history in ways not available through more traditional written sources.

Visit http://www.smithsonianconference.org/expert/program/ to watch the archived earlier sessions and tune in later this month to participate live in sessions about “Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe” on April 28 and “Understanding and Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet” on April 29.

For further research on these topics, try these GALILEO resources:

• Academic Search Complete
• Research Library (for most public libraries and higher education institutions)
• SIRS Issues Researcher (for K-12 schools)
• Encyclopaedia Britannica
• Sociological Collection
• World History Collection
• History Reference Center
• Science and Technology Collection
• Environment Complete