Twelve student scientists were recognized today at an awards ceremony and luncheon as winners of the American Museum of Natural History’s 16th Annual Young Naturalist Awards, a nationwide science-based research competition for students in grades 7 through 12 supported by Alcoa Foundation. 

The Museum's Youth Initiatives group has been developing a new Youth Advisory, a group to help us think about how to expand digital programs that teach science here at the Museum. The Youth Advisory's recent mission: to write a Want Ad that telegraphs what you want from digital-media infused science programs at the American Museum of Natural History.

Last fall, the Museum’s educational staff brought geocaching to YouthCaN, an international, youth-led organization that was founded together with iEARN at the Museum and uses technology to inspire, connect, and educate people worldwide about environmental issues.

PCmag.com has chosen Ology, the Museum's website for kids, as one of "8 Great Websites" for children. From anthropology to zoology−with biodiversity, Einstein, paleontology, and many other topics in between−Ology offers screen time that can be both educational and fun.

During Digital Learning Week in January 2013, the Museum's Youth Initiatives team brought together youth, Museum educators, and scientists for a series of programs to explore using digital tools to engage with Museum halls, collections, and research. This post about "Morpholution" by Youth Initiatives Senior Manager Samara Rubenstein is the first in a series highlighting Digital Learning Week programs.