Science has never been more important in our lives than it is today — to understand the pandemic, its treatments and prevention; to comprehend climate change, causes and implications; and to apply technology, for business or pleasure. We learn about science, the facts and methodology, through a variety of avenues beyond formal education.
As I observed during my time as undersecretary for science at the Smithsonian, museums and science centers are pivotal in serving to inspire and educate. Walking in and out of the science museums on the national mall, I would skirt the long lines to get in, dodging the children whose laughter and excitement filled the air. What a privilege for the American people to have access to such incredible resources. However, even with 30-plus million visitors/year to the Smithsonian, most American families never get to visit, and if so, only once in a…
