All upcoming Science & Nature programs

The human brain is constantly working to maintain balance, adapting to life’s turbulence in ways that shape our mental health. But what happens when this balance falters? Neuroscientist Camilla Nord delves into the science of mental health, exploring how our brains strive for equilibrium and how approaches as varied as placebos, recreational drugs, and talk therapy work to restore balance and resilience, as well as how the brain and body interact to foster both physical and mental well-being.

Explore spectacular scenery and a geologic overview of Iceland in a virtual field trip led by volcanologist Kirt Kempter. Geologic highlights include the boundary between North American and Eurasian plates; unusual volcanoes that form beneath vast glaciers; famous volcanic eruptions, including those of the small island of Heimaey in 1973 and ice-capped Eyjafjallajökull in 2010; and older historic eruptions that impacted global climate and human populations.

Wildlife producer Mike Gunton offers Smithsonian Associates members an inside look into the making of the new 10-part series “The Americas,” which showcases the wonders, secrets, and fragilities of the world’s great supercontinent. Created by BBC Studios Natural History Unit in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio and narrated by Tom Hanks, it reveals the spectacular landscapes of Earth’s most varied landmass—the only one to stretch between both poles. Executive producer Gunton shares insights into the innovative filming techniques, scientific breakthroughs, and unique challenges encountered while capturing some of nature’s most elusive moments.

Every day the average person draws in 2,000 gallons of air—and with it, thousands of living things. The bacteria, fungi, algae, and other organisms that inhabit the air constitute an invisible ecosystem known as the aerobiome, one of the last great frontiers of science. New York Times columnist and author Carl Zimmer draws on his new book, Air-Borne, to explore how the aerobiome is an essential part of a living world—a highway through the sky for many species—of which we become a part with every breath we take.

What do the music of J.S. Bach, the fundamental forces of nature, Rubik’s Cube, and the selection of mates have in common? They are all characterized by certain symmetries— the concept that bridges science and art. Astrophysicist and author Mario Livio explains how symmetry underlies not only some of the most important phenomena in our lives and in the evolution of humans, but also the laws governing our universe.

The 2,650-acre campus of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, Maryland, encompasses a mix of forests, farmland, wetlands, and shoreline and is home to some of the world’s most enduring environmental research projects. Spend the day with SERC’s expert staff as you explore this environmental research hub and learn about its cutting-edge ecological studies.

Historic Garden Week in Virginia offers the opportunity to visit beautiful homes and gardens in the state, ranging from classic to modern. Horticulturist Chelsea Mahaffey leads this tour of Oak Spring, the former home of philanthropists Paul Mellon and Rachel “Bunny” Mellon which is usually closed to the public, and the University of Virginia’s Blandy Experimental Farm, which includes the State Arboretum of Virginia.

From the desert gardens to the red rocks of Sedona, the northern mountains to the depths of the Grand Canyon, this 6-day spring adventure offers outdoor enthusiasts an itinerary filled with education and scenic beauty led by geologist and study tour leader Wayne Ranney.

Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge are home to natural splendor, cultural treasures, and coastal charm. Spend two days with naturalist and educator Liana Vitali immersed in island life, exploring the natural wonders the barrier islands have to offer—and hear the lore of the Chincoteague ponies’ origin.

Entire ecosystems rest on the shoulders (or tentacles or jointed exoskeletons) of animal babies. Biologist Danna Staaf invites you to explore these tiny lives and discover some of nature’s most ingenious workings. For example, a salamander embryo breathes with the help of algae inside its cells, the young grub of a Goliath beetle dwarfs its parents, and the spotted beak of a parasitic baby bird tricks adults of other species into feeding it. Our planet needs them all, the maggots as much as the kittens.