Marian Koshland Science Museum
Encyclopedia
The Marian Koshland Science Museum of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences
(NAS) features exhibits that present modern science and scientific issues in an accessible way, geared for the general public. The museum, located in Washington, D.C.
, explores current scientific issues that are important for the nation’s and world’s public policy decisions, as presented in reports by the United States National Academies
.
The museum also has a Museum Advisory Board, which is involved in strategic planning. Advisory board members may also review the exhibition topics and review and approve each exhibit's overall design and content.
Each of the museum’s exhibitions has as a basis, some substantial study or group of studies published by the National Academies. Expert scientists distill this work, ensuring scientific accuracy. The scientific committees and museum staff consult additional science experts on specific aspects of each exhibition. Finally, the exhibits are reviewed by focus groups from the general public to assure that they not only are scientifically correct, but also user-friendly, enjoyable and effective in conveying the information correctly. Exhibit topics reflect current scientific issues and complex topics that help people to use science to solve problems in their communities.
Current exhibits center on climate change
and infectious disease
.
, an immunologist and molecular biologist who conducted groundbreaking research in the behavior of antibodies. The museum has been developed as the result of a gift from her husband, Daniel Koshland, a molecular biologist specializing in the study of enzymes and bacteria.
Stop (1 block north and 1 block east) or from the Judiciary Square Metro stop (2 blocks west). It lies 3 blocks north of the National Mall
.
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
(NAS) features exhibits that present modern science and scientific issues in an accessible way, geared for the general public. The museum, located in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, explores current scientific issues that are important for the nation’s and world’s public policy decisions, as presented in reports by the United States National Academies
United States National Academies
The United States National Academies comprises four organizations:* National Academy of Sciences * National Academy of Engineering * Institute of Medicine * National Research Council...
.
Exhibit development
The Koshland Science Museum is part of the National Academy of Sciences. Exhibits are developed based on guidance from committees of scientific experts, who donate their time and expertise to the museum. Each exhibit has its own Scientific Steering Committee, or group of subject-matter experts who oversee exhibit content and review information. A core group of museum staff members facilitates all aspects of exhibit selection, including development and fabrication. The museum also gets input from advisory groups, whether in-person, in the community, or online.The museum also has a Museum Advisory Board, which is involved in strategic planning. Advisory board members may also review the exhibition topics and review and approve each exhibit's overall design and content.
Each of the museum’s exhibitions has as a basis, some substantial study or group of studies published by the National Academies. Expert scientists distill this work, ensuring scientific accuracy. The scientific committees and museum staff consult additional science experts on specific aspects of each exhibition. Finally, the exhibits are reviewed by focus groups from the general public to assure that they not only are scientifically correct, but also user-friendly, enjoyable and effective in conveying the information correctly. Exhibit topics reflect current scientific issues and complex topics that help people to use science to solve problems in their communities.
Current exhibits center on climate change
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
and infectious disease
Infectious disease
Infectious diseases, also known as communicable diseases, contagious diseases or transmissible diseases comprise clinically evident illness resulting from the infection, presence and growth of pathogenic biological agents in an individual host organism...
.
Origin of the museum
Opened in April 2004, the Marian Koshland Science Museum is named for Marian KoshlandMarian Koshland
Marian Koshland was an American immunologist who discovered that the differences in amino acid composition of antibodies explains the efficiency and effectiveness with which they combat a huge range of foreign invaders....
, an immunologist and molecular biologist who conducted groundbreaking research in the behavior of antibodies. The museum has been developed as the result of a gift from her husband, Daniel Koshland, a molecular biologist specializing in the study of enzymes and bacteria.
Location
The museum is located at 525 E Street, NW. The museum entrance is at the corner of 6th & E Streets, NW, in the Penn Quarter neighborhood of Washington, DC. The museum can be reached from the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro stop (1 block east and 1 block south), from the Navy Memorial MetroWashington Metro
The Washington Metro, commonly called Metro, and unofficially Metrorail, is the rapid transit system in Washington, D.C., United States, and its surrounding suburbs. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority , which also operates Metrobus service under the Metro name...
Stop (1 block north and 1 block east) or from the Judiciary Square Metro stop (2 blocks west). It lies 3 blocks north of the National Mall
National Mall
The National Mall is an open-area national park in downtown Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. The National Mall is a unit of the National Park Service , and is administered by the National Mall and Memorial Parks unit...
.