Event Calendar

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March 2024

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The Hidden Worlds Within Ice Sheets and Glaciers
Talk
Tuesday, Mar 19, 2024 - 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Speaker: Dr. Dustin Schroeder, Stanford University

7:00pm - 8:30pm
 
 
 
Maryland Day Celebration 2024
Family Program
Tour
Friday, Mar 22, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm Sunday, Mar 24, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm
Event Location
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)

Come visit SERC for hiking all weekend and explore the Smithsonian in Your Backyard! Visit the oldest building in the Smithsonian still in the original location, at the Woodlawn History Center, open 10am-2pm, with a weekend architectural tour of the house. Also on the weekend, SERC science docents will have short science talks at several interpretive stations near the Reed Education Center and the Rhode River.

8:00am - 5:30pm
 
Maryland Day Celebration 2024
Family Program
Tour
Friday, Mar 22, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm Sunday, Mar 24, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm
Event Location
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)

Come visit SERC for hiking all weekend and explore the Smithsonian in Your Backyard! Visit the oldest building in the Smithsonian still in the original location, at the Woodlawn History Center, open 10am-2pm, with a weekend architectural tour of the house. Also on the weekend, SERC science docents will have short science talks at several interpretive stations near the Reed Education Center and the Rhode River.

8:00am - 5:30pm
 
Two Family Plantations on the Frontier: Excavations at Shaw’s Folly and Sparrow’s Rest
Talk
Family Program

Learn about the Smithsonian's Environmental Archaeology Lab

Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Event Location
Schmidt Conference Center on SERC's campus in Edgewater, Maryland

Smithsonian’s Environmental Archaeology Laboratory (SEAL) continues excavations and analyses of finds at two 1660s plantation sites on the SERC campus. This illustrated talk summarizes what we did and what we found. Exotic pottery, personalized spoons, tobacco pipes bearing the manufacturers’ initials, animal bones from innumerable meals…these things and more. After the presentation we hope you’ll visit the exhibit where you’ll see some of these objects up close.

11:00am - 12:00pm
 
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Maryland Day Celebration 2024
Family Program
Tour
Friday, Mar 22, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm Sunday, Mar 24, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm
Event Location
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)

Come visit SERC for hiking all weekend and explore the Smithsonian in Your Backyard! Visit the oldest building in the Smithsonian still in the original location, at the Woodlawn History Center, open 10am-2pm, with a weekend architectural tour of the house. Also on the weekend, SERC science docents will have short science talks at several interpretive stations near the Reed Education Center and the Rhode River.

8:00am - 5:30pm
 
SERC Education: Prospective Volunteer's Coffee Chat
coffee
Monday, Mar 25, 2024 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Event Location
Reed Education Center, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Share your enthusiasm for nature and the Bay! The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) is hosting an open house and coffee chat for anyone interested in joining our community as an Education Volunteer. Meet our staff for a cup of coffee or tea, take a short tour of SERC, meet current volunteers, and learn all about our education programs.

1:00pm - 4:00pm
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Mar 19, 2024

  • The Hidden Worlds Within Ice Sheets and Glaciers

    The Hidden Worlds Within Ice Sheets and Glaciers

    Tuesday, Mar 19, 2024 - 7:00pm - 8:30pm
    Advance Registration Required
    Yes

    Event Details

    A large hill-shaped glacier rests above a clear pool of water reflecting the ice above
    Mouth of the Matanuska Glacier in Alaska (Credit: Richard Moore, CC-3.0-BY-SA)
    Head and shoulders picture of Dustin Schroeder, a scientist with dark brown hair wearing a white button-up shirt
    Dustin Schroeder (Credit: Matthew Chalker)

    The world’s ice sheets and glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates. Meanwhile, one of our best tools to quantify what’s happening beneath the surface remains largely untapped. Geophysicist Dustin Schroeder specializes in ice-penetrating radar: a powerful technique for studying ice sheets and glaciers on Earth and other planetary bodies. In this webinar, he will explore the hidden interiors of ice sheets through radar images and radar sounding data. When brought to their full potential, these tools can help us zero in on some of the most urgent questions surrounding Earth’s ice sheets and glaciers: How do they flow? What controls their behavior, evolution, and stability? And how will they impact sea level rise?

    This webinar will be recorded! Closed captions will be available during the live event and on the recording. By signing up on Zoom, you'll be able to join live and receive a link to the recording approximately 1 week after the live webinar.

    Sign up on Zoom to watch live or on demand

    View more Life on a Sustainable Planet webinars

    7:00pm - 8:30pm

Mar 22, 2024, Mar 23, 2024, Mar 24, 2024

  • Maryland Day Celebration 2024

    Maryland Day Celebration 2024

    Friday, Mar 22, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm Sunday, Mar 24, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm
    Event Location
    Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)

    Event Details

    Come visit SERC for hiking all weekend and explore the Smithsonian in Your Backyard! Visit the oldest building in the Smithsonian still in the original location, at the Woodlawn History Center, open 10am-2pm, with a weekend architectural tour of the house. Also on the weekend, SERC science docents will have short science talks at several interpretive stations near the Reed Education Center and the Rhode River.

    Free!

    March 22, 23, & 24 from 8:00am to 5:30pm (10:00am - 2:00pm for the Woodlawn History Center)

    Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (Directions)

    Schedule of activities

    Saturday 10:00am - 10:45am:

    Architectural tour of Woodlawn: Oldest building in the Smithsonian’s collection, still in the original location, circa 1735 (and 1841).

    The tour will include the rarely seen upstairs of the building. As this is a historic home, there is no elevator. The upstairs portion of the tour requires walking up 2 flights of stairs; or join us for the first floor and exhibit.

    Where: Woodlawn Historic House and Exhibit

    Please sign up here for more information: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E044FA8AB29A1FE3-48185203-architectural

    Saturday 11:00am - 12:00pm: Presentation and Talk:

    "Two Family Plantations on the Frontier: Excavations at Shaw’s Folly and Sparrow’s Rest"

    Join us for a talk about what the Smithsonian's Environmental Archaeology Lab (SEAL) has done and found on SERC's campus. Presentation by Dr. Jim Gibb, Smithsonian Environmental Archaeology Laboratory Director.

    Smithsonian’s Environmental Archaeology Laboratory (SEAL) continues excavations and analyses of finds at two 1660s plantation sites on the SERC campus. This illustrated talk summarizes what we did and what we found. Exotic pottery, personalized spoons, tobacco pipes bearing the manufacturers’ initials, animal bones from innumerable meals…these things and more. After the presentation we hope you’ll visit the exhibit where you’ll see some of these objects up close.

    Where: Schmidt Conference Center

    Sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4FADAA28A3F58-48183396-twofamily#/

    Saturday and Sunday 11:00am – 2:00pm:

    Welcome Table and Interpretive Stations.

    SERC will have a welcome table set up at the Reed Center where visitors can learn about SERC’s mission and our facility, view displays and publications, and pick up trail maps. We will also have interpretive stations set up near the Reed Center at the SERC dock and at the marsh boardwalk. Volunteer docents will be at the stations to share stories about SERC’s history and our research on coastal ecosystems; highlighting accomplishments and impacts in addressing challenging environmental issues. Visitors will be encouraged to ask questions and learn alongside others to connect them to our work on developing solutions for a sustainable planet.

    Where: Reed Education Center, SERC dock and the marsh boardwalk.

    Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 10:00am - 2:00pm:

    Woodlawn History Center open special hours.

    Come visit the oldest building in the Smithsonian still in the original location and learn about all of the different people throughout history who lived and worked on what is now the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center’s campus. Learn about how this small place and local history fit into the broader national story, about the building itself, how humans impacted the environment and how Smithsonian scientists study the environment today.

    Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 8:00am - 5:30pm:

    SERC trail hiking special hours.

    Get out into nature by hiking SERC’s multiple miles of woodland trails, including along the Rhode River and Muddy Creek.

    8:00am - 5:30pm
  • Maryland Day Celebration 2024

    Maryland Day Celebration 2024

    Friday, Mar 22, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm Sunday, Mar 24, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm
    Event Location
    Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)

    Event Details

    Come visit SERC for hiking all weekend and explore the Smithsonian in Your Backyard! Visit the oldest building in the Smithsonian still in the original location, at the Woodlawn History Center, open 10am-2pm, with a weekend architectural tour of the house. Also on the weekend, SERC science docents will have short science talks at several interpretive stations near the Reed Education Center and the Rhode River.

    Free!

    March 22, 23, & 24 from 8:00am to 5:30pm (10:00am - 2:00pm for the Woodlawn History Center)

    Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (Directions)

    Schedule of activities

    Saturday 10:00am - 10:45am:

    Architectural tour of Woodlawn: Oldest building in the Smithsonian’s collection, still in the original location, circa 1735 (and 1841).

    The tour will include the rarely seen upstairs of the building. As this is a historic home, there is no elevator. The upstairs portion of the tour requires walking up 2 flights of stairs; or join us for the first floor and exhibit.

    Where: Woodlawn Historic House and Exhibit

    Please sign up here for more information: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E044FA8AB29A1FE3-48185203-architectural

    Saturday 11:00am - 12:00pm: Presentation and Talk:

    "Two Family Plantations on the Frontier: Excavations at Shaw’s Folly and Sparrow’s Rest"

    Join us for a talk about what the Smithsonian's Environmental Archaeology Lab (SEAL) has done and found on SERC's campus. Presentation by Dr. Jim Gibb, Smithsonian Environmental Archaeology Laboratory Director.

    Smithsonian’s Environmental Archaeology Laboratory (SEAL) continues excavations and analyses of finds at two 1660s plantation sites on the SERC campus. This illustrated talk summarizes what we did and what we found. Exotic pottery, personalized spoons, tobacco pipes bearing the manufacturers’ initials, animal bones from innumerable meals…these things and more. After the presentation we hope you’ll visit the exhibit where you’ll see some of these objects up close.

    Where: Schmidt Conference Center

    Sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4FADAA28A3F58-48183396-twofamily#/

    Saturday and Sunday 11:00am – 2:00pm:

    Welcome Table and Interpretive Stations.

    SERC will have a welcome table set up at the Reed Center where visitors can learn about SERC’s mission and our facility, view displays and publications, and pick up trail maps. We will also have interpretive stations set up near the Reed Center at the SERC dock and at the marsh boardwalk. Volunteer docents will be at the stations to share stories about SERC’s history and our research on coastal ecosystems; highlighting accomplishments and impacts in addressing challenging environmental issues. Visitors will be encouraged to ask questions and learn alongside others to connect them to our work on developing solutions for a sustainable planet.

    Where: Reed Education Center, SERC dock and the marsh boardwalk.

    Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 10:00am - 2:00pm:

    Woodlawn History Center open special hours.

    Come visit the oldest building in the Smithsonian still in the original location and learn about all of the different people throughout history who lived and worked on what is now the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center’s campus. Learn about how this small place and local history fit into the broader national story, about the building itself, how humans impacted the environment and how Smithsonian scientists study the environment today.

    Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 8:00am - 5:30pm:

    SERC trail hiking special hours.

    Get out into nature by hiking SERC’s multiple miles of woodland trails, including along the Rhode River and Muddy Creek.

    8:00am - 5:30pm
  • Maryland Day Celebration 2024

    Maryland Day Celebration 2024

    Friday, Mar 22, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm Sunday, Mar 24, 2024 - 8:00am - 5:30pm
    Event Location
    Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)

    Event Details

    Come visit SERC for hiking all weekend and explore the Smithsonian in Your Backyard! Visit the oldest building in the Smithsonian still in the original location, at the Woodlawn History Center, open 10am-2pm, with a weekend architectural tour of the house. Also on the weekend, SERC science docents will have short science talks at several interpretive stations near the Reed Education Center and the Rhode River.

    Free!

    March 22, 23, & 24 from 8:00am to 5:30pm (10:00am - 2:00pm for the Woodlawn History Center)

    Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (Directions)

    Schedule of activities

    Saturday 10:00am - 10:45am:

    Architectural tour of Woodlawn: Oldest building in the Smithsonian’s collection, still in the original location, circa 1735 (and 1841).

    The tour will include the rarely seen upstairs of the building. As this is a historic home, there is no elevator. The upstairs portion of the tour requires walking up 2 flights of stairs; or join us for the first floor and exhibit.

    Where: Woodlawn Historic House and Exhibit

    Please sign up here for more information: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E044FA8AB29A1FE3-48185203-architectural

    Saturday 11:00am - 12:00pm: Presentation and Talk:

    "Two Family Plantations on the Frontier: Excavations at Shaw’s Folly and Sparrow’s Rest"

    Join us for a talk about what the Smithsonian's Environmental Archaeology Lab (SEAL) has done and found on SERC's campus. Presentation by Dr. Jim Gibb, Smithsonian Environmental Archaeology Laboratory Director.

    Smithsonian’s Environmental Archaeology Laboratory (SEAL) continues excavations and analyses of finds at two 1660s plantation sites on the SERC campus. This illustrated talk summarizes what we did and what we found. Exotic pottery, personalized spoons, tobacco pipes bearing the manufacturers’ initials, animal bones from innumerable meals…these things and more. After the presentation we hope you’ll visit the exhibit where you’ll see some of these objects up close.

    Where: Schmidt Conference Center

    Sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4FADAA28A3F58-48183396-twofamily#/

    Saturday and Sunday 11:00am – 2:00pm:

    Welcome Table and Interpretive Stations.

    SERC will have a welcome table set up at the Reed Center where visitors can learn about SERC’s mission and our facility, view displays and publications, and pick up trail maps. We will also have interpretive stations set up near the Reed Center at the SERC dock and at the marsh boardwalk. Volunteer docents will be at the stations to share stories about SERC’s history and our research on coastal ecosystems; highlighting accomplishments and impacts in addressing challenging environmental issues. Visitors will be encouraged to ask questions and learn alongside others to connect them to our work on developing solutions for a sustainable planet.

    Where: Reed Education Center, SERC dock and the marsh boardwalk.

    Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 10:00am - 2:00pm:

    Woodlawn History Center open special hours.

    Come visit the oldest building in the Smithsonian still in the original location and learn about all of the different people throughout history who lived and worked on what is now the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center’s campus. Learn about how this small place and local history fit into the broader national story, about the building itself, how humans impacted the environment and how Smithsonian scientists study the environment today.

    Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 8:00am - 5:30pm:

    SERC trail hiking special hours.

    Get out into nature by hiking SERC’s multiple miles of woodland trails, including along the Rhode River and Muddy Creek.

    8:00am - 5:30pm

Mar 23, 2024

  • Two Family Plantations on the Frontier: Excavations at Shaw’s Folly and Sparrow’s Rest

    Two Family Plantations on the Frontier: Excavations at Shaw’s Folly and Sparrow’s Rest

    Learn about the Smithsonian's Environmental Archaeology Lab

    Saturday, Mar 23, 2024 - 11:00am - 12:00pm
    Event Location
    Schmidt Conference Center on SERC's campus in Edgewater, Maryland

    Event Details

    Left mandible of a cow, oyster shells, and the rim of a Northern Italian ceramic vessel, in a trash deposit, partially covered with dirt.
    Photograph depicts left mandible of a cow, oyster shells, and the rim of a Northern Italian ceramic vessel, all in a trash deposit dating to the 1660s or 1670s.

    Smithsonian’s Environmental Archaeology Laboratory (SEAL) continues excavations and analyses of finds at two 1660s plantation sites on the SERC campus. This illustrated talk summarizes what we did and what we found. Exotic pottery, personalized spoons, tobacco pipes bearing the manufacturers’ initials, animal bones from innumerable meals…these things and more. After the presentation we hope you’ll visit the exhibit where you’ll see some of these objects up close.

    Speaker: Jim Gibb, Smithsonian Environmental Archaeology Laboratory (SEAL)

    Advanced registration is encouraged.

    What to expect?

    As a part of the Maryland Day celebrations March 22 - 24, Jim Gibb will give an hour long illustrated presentation highlighting what his team has done and continues to do on SERC's campus.

    Jim is the head archaeologist of the Smithsonian Environmental Archaeology Lab (SEAL). SEAL has done incredible work excavating and analysing finds at two 1660s plantation sites on SERC's campus, including pottery, personalized spoons, tobacco pipes bearing the manufacturers’ initials, animal bones from innumerable meals and more.

    After the presentation we hope you’ll visit the Woodlawn House exhibit where you’ll see some of these objects up close!

    Who is this event for?

    Anyone 12 years and older is welcome to attend! Whether you are passionate about archaeology or just looking to learn something new, we invite you to join us!

    Finding Us

    The presentation will be at the Schmidt Conference Center, which is located next to the Green Village housing and a short walk from the Mathias Laboratory.

    • Here are directions to SERC and here is a campus map.
    • Please check to be sure that your GPS directions align with the directions in the link. Some programs will bring you in through our back gate (off of Collins Road), which requires a key card to access.
    • When you arrive, you'll pass a security kiosk. Please slow down and stop to let them know you are here for the Archaeology presentation at Schmidt.
    • After passing the security kiosk, drive about 3/4 of a mile until you come to a stop sign and then turn right.
    • There will be parking on your left and right, some paved some not.  
    • There are two van-accessible parking spaces on the right side of the parking lot.
    • Once parked, look for the "Schmidt Center" sign on the grass and head up the paved slope road.

    Important Notes

    • The room will be set up to accommodate 50 people.
    • There are two gendered bathrooms with multiple stalls, including an accessible stall.
    • If you have any questions about this event, have any accessibility needs, or have any other thoughts, please reach out to Rachael Mady (MadyR@si.edu, 443-482-2276).
    11:00am - 12:00pm

Mar 25, 2024

  • SERC Education: Prospective Volunteer's Coffee Chat

    SERC Education: Prospective Volunteer's Coffee Chat

    Monday, Mar 25, 2024 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm
    Event Location
    Reed Education Center, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
    Advance Registration Required
    Yes
    coffee

    Event Details

    education-event-img1.pngeducation-event-img2.png

    education-event-img3.png

    • Meet our staff for a
      cup of coffee or tea
    • Take a short tour
    • Meet current
      volunteers
    • Learn about the
      programs

    This will be your chance to get to know SERC a bit better, learn more about our programs, meet our staff and present education volunteers, walk the grounds, and see what we do here at the Reed Education Center!

    You won’t need to commit to being a volunteer if you come to the coffee chat. We have a built-in volunteer shadowing program so potential volunteers can see if they are a good fit before starting any paperwork.

    We're looking for volunteers for:

    • Teaching hands-on science outdoors
    • Helping at the information desk of the Woodlawn Historic House
    • Fish tank and aquarium helpers

    Volunteers must be 18 years or older, able to volunteer at least 2x month or more, and take required trainings as well as pass a background check.

    Schedule
    Coffee Chat: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
    Campus Tour: 2:30pm - 4:00pm

    RSVP by March 21, 2024!

    If you can’t make the open house, please let us know if you would still be interested in volunteering and we can set a time to chat with you!

    Be a part of our community!

    647 Contees Wharf Rd., Edgewater MD 21037

    Directions to Reed Education Center

    RSVP: Registration and further information:

    Karen McDonald (McDonaldK@si.edu)

    edu-tea_0.pngedu-hands_0.png

    1:00pm - 4:00pm