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At 4:50 p.m. EST today, the space shuttle Discovery will launch into its final mission from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Watch the launch on NASA TV.
Image credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller
In the 11-day mission, the crew of six, Commander Steve Lindsey, Pilot Eric Boe and Mission Specialists Alvin Drew, Tim Kopra, Nicole Stott and Michael Barratt, will transport supplies to the International Space Station. This mission includes some very special cargo—Robonaut 2.
During Discovery’s 39th mission, Robonaut 2 will become the first humanoid robot in space. The robot will be left at the space station. Studying the robot will help engineers better understand how dexterous robots behave in space and what robot capabilities could mean for future missions.
In addition to sending the first humanoid robot in space, Discovery has had a long, illustrious career. It first launched into flight on August 30, 1984. The first female space shuttle pilot and commander, the first African American space walker and the oldest person in space all reached those milestones aboard Discovery.
Watch this video from NASA to learn more about the legacy of this historic spacecraft.
If you are interested in traveling to the Kennedy Space Center, check out the Smithsonian Student Travel tour to the Sunshine State!
Tim Snow, Montreal Gazette File Photo
Ten dynamic days of music, dance, theater, culinary creations and plenty of outdoor activities is how Montréal shakes off the winter blahs during the Montréal High Lights Festival.
This year is the 12th edition and runs from February 17-27. As one of the largest winter festivals in the world, more than 900,000 Quebecers and visitors take to the performance venues, restaurants and streets of Montréal to celebrate the finer (and fun!) things in life.
There are music, dance and theater performances to suit any preference and food for every palate. Don’t forget fireworks and the ice slide! Even the Sugar Shack, a favorite eatery of Smithsonian Student Travel participants, has a booth for hungry revelers.
All around the country in schools, museums, libraries, homes and numerous other places, Americans have been celebrating the rich heritage and contributions of African Americans.
Heroes of the Colored Race by J. Hoover, 1881, Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division
Black History Month had its origins more than 80 years ago. In 1926 Negro History Week celebrated black history with official events during the first week of February. The week was the brainchild of historian Carter G. Woodson. And the first week of February was chosen to encompass the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.
Negro History Week was a mainstay for bringing awareness to black history and heritage across the nation. Fifty years after its founding (and the same year America celebrated its bicentennial), the week was expanded to dedicate the entire month of February to black history and the important contributions of African Americans
While there’s plenty to celebrate and learn for this special month, here are a few favorite links to keep the spirit of Black History month vibrant!
Read President Obama’s 2011 Proclamation for National African American History Month. Since Gerald Ford's 1976 black history month proclamation, each U.S. president delivers one each year.
The special focus for 2011 Black History Month is African Americans in the Civil War:
Listen to stories told by African Americans from around the country in their own words, in their own voices. They were collected as part of the StoryCorps Griot Project.
Watch National Archives senior archivist Reginald Washington trace the history of a claim submitted by an African-American congregation. Union troops burned their church building to the ground. The seven-page petition, part of the National Archives holdings, tells of the rich history of the church and its congregants.
Black History Month is a special time to bring focus to the history, influence and contributions of black Americans. Smithsonian Student Travel offers several tours that help to bring new depth and understanding to black American history and culture:
An African American Narrative: Capture the spirit of America's most prominent Civil Rights leaders as you visit historically rich sites throughout Atlanta and Birmingham.
D.C. & Williamsburg: A Walk Through African-American History: From the Frederick Douglas National Historic Site to the Anacostia Community Museum, this tour teaches your students the important role African Americans played in our nation’s history.
New York City: An African American Chronicle: Explore African American history and experience Harlem's Apollo Theater, the African American Wax Museum, and Sugar Hill - home of Count Basie, Malcolm X, and Ralph Ellison.
You probably know a Boy Scout—a cousin who was a Cub Scout; a neighbor who you know you can count on for your Boy Scout popcorn; an uncle who made it all the way to Eagle Scout. Maybe you were a Boy Scout.
Photo Credit: Doug Mills/The New York Times
But you may not know that the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia a little over a century ago. And by a little over a century, I mean, exactly one hundred and one years, today!
An even though the centennial celebrations have been winding down, there’s still plenty for Scouts to celebrate.
Did you know?
Any guess what merit badge is earned most often? See if you’re right.
In the past 101 years, the Boy Scouts have built confidence and character in young people. With a proud spirit of Scouting in mind, Smithsonian Student Travel offers tours, designed specifically for Boy Scouts.
Check out the Jamboree tours and a happy 101st birthday to the Boy Scouts of America!
