Reports of the Administrative Offices 



55 



custom designed to meet the interests and needs of each 

 client and can be used for training, awareness, or incentive 

 programs. The programs, which may last from a few hours 

 to sevetal days, use Smithsonian collections, laboratories, re- 

 search facilities, and exhibitions to help participants better 

 understand diverse cultures and to foster fresh approaches to 

 problem solving. The institutes include Smithsonian Cre- 

 ativity Institutes, Smithsonian Wotld Affairs Institutes, and 

 Smithsonian Signature Institutes. Companion programs also 

 are offered. 



In April, TSA presented a three-day World Affairs Insti- 

 tute about Southeast Asia for Indiana University as part of 

 an ongoing relationship with that university. Notable inter- 

 national experts including ambassadors and congressmen as 

 well as representatives the U.S. Department of Commerce 

 and The Brookings Institution introduced 45 participants 

 and their spouses to the economic complexity of the region 

 through lectures. Embassies hosting events included Viet- 

 nam, Thailand, and Singapore. 



A Signature Institute lot 22 international members of the 

 Young Presidents Organization (YPO) also occurred in 

 April. Through a lecture, tour, and hands-on demonstration 

 exercises, participants had a chance ro get behind the scenes, 

 learning the work of the National Museum of Natural His- 

 tory forensics department, as well as about skeletal biology. 



An agreement was made with Lockheed Martin Leader- 

 ship Institutes to provide Creativity Institutes to 

 approximately 25 executives on a quarterly basis. The first 

 half-day event was held in August. 



Smithsonian Voices of Discovery 



TSA's Voices of Discovery takes Smithsonian experts into 

 communities around the country. They present lectutes and 

 workshops in a variety of settings, from museums to public 

 libraries. For the nth year, TSA participated in "An Ap- 

 palachian Summer Fesrival" in Boone, North Carolina, with 

 speakers and topics telating to Appalachian crafts. 



Smithsonian Scholars in the Schools 



This newly creared program takes Smithsonian specialists 

 into schools around rhe country to share their expertise with 

 students and teachers. In addition to group lectutes, hands- 

 on classroom sessions, and teacher workshops, each 

 custom-tailored program offers an evening public presenta- 

 tion for the greater school community. The Spring Branch 

 Independent School District in Houston, Texas, which 

 served as a pilot facility last year, hosted another highly suc- 

 cessful series that reached several thousand students through 

 live appearances and via Web and distance learning interac- 

 tions with the scholars. 



The Museum of Me 



Working with Educational Field Studies, Inc., TSA re- 

 designed and expanded its Museum of Me program. 

 Targeted at middle school student groups visiting Washing- 



ton, D.C., this two-part program introduces them to muse- 

 ums, collecting, museum careers, and exhibit design. Before 

 their trips, teachers receive a preview packet that includes a 

 CD-ROM about the Smithsonian and a learning guide with 

 suggested activities to complemenr their museum visit. 

 While in Washington, the students attend a live, interactive 

 30-minute ptesentation in Discovery Theater where they are 

 challenged to think like museum professionals and design an 

 exhibition. 



Smithsonian Study Tours 



With more than 350 national and international study tours 

 offered this year, Smithsonian Associates had the opportu- 

 nity to experience and learn about virtually every corner of 

 the globe. For example, Associates traveled to "Southern 

 Africa by DC3" for a classic aerial exploration of Zimbabwe, 

 Botswana, and Namibia. 



Gtandpatents, parents, and children joined educatots atop 

 Gargonza, a medieval Italian hilltop town, for the Smithson- 

 ian's first "Tuscan Summer for Families" study tour. 

 Forty-one Associates took part in day tours specially geared 

 for families, with children having the opportunity to experi- 

 ence a different culture and even play soccer with local 

 youngsters. 



In the United States, 80 Associates took part in a fitst- 

 rime cruise on a new ship, Le Levant, on the Gteat Lakes. 

 Others enjoyed gala performances and joined music and 

 drama experts behind the scenes at U.S. and Canadian per- 

 forming arts festivals that included Spoleto USA 

 (Charleston, South Carolina), Carmel Bach (Carmel, Califor- 

 nia), and Stratford (Ontario). 



Smithsonian Businesses 



Roland Banscher, Acting Senior Business Officer 



The Smithsonian is committed to developing and licensing 

 products that reflect its educational values and extend its 

 message. From a business point of view, selling merchandise 

 of high quality helps strengthen the Institution's financial 

 base. From an education point of view, an exhibition cata- 

 logue, a CD-ROM, or producrs carrying descriptive 

 information contribute to people's knowledge of collections 

 and research programs throughout the Institution. 



At the National Museum of Natural History, museum 

 shop sales increased following the opening of the Discover}' 

 Center in May. A shop in the International Gallery sup- 

 ported the exhibition "Microbes: Invisible Invaders, 

 Amazing Allies," with everything from gummy microbes to 

 educational microscopes. The Arts and Industries Building 

 shop now features "The Best of the Smithsonian" merchan- 

 dise, including best-sellers from several museum shops, 

 publications, tecotdings, Smithsonian Catalogue merchan- 

 dise, and souvenirs. 



The Smithsonian Catalogue continues to reflect the educa- 

 tional values and rich diversiry of the museums and research 



