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National Museum of Natural History intern Nora Besansky feeding a tarantula in the O. Orkin Insect Zoo (1977). Photograph by Richard K. Hofmeister. Image courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

Monday, March 21: March Film Screening: My Name Is Kahentiiosta

Kahentiiosta, a young Kahnawake Mohawk woman, took part in a 78-day armed standoff in 1990 as a part of a land dispute between the Mohawks and the Canadian federal government. Arrested and imprisoned, she was detained longer than her peers because the prosecutor refused to let her stand trial using her native name. Learn about Kahentiiosta’s story and why she was prepared to die to protect the land and trees sacred to the Mohawk people of Kanehsatake. Free. American Indian Museum, 3:30-4:00 PM. This event repeats daily, except Wednesdays, through the month of March.

Tuesday, March 22: Naturalist Center

Explore this resource center of some 36,000 natural history and anthropological specimens where visitors, students, collectors, and natural history lovers can handle and study these objects, identify their own treasures, do research, draw, and more. The center is open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday and is closed on most federal holidays. Call 703-779-9712 (voice), 800-729-7725 (voice), or 202-633-9287 (NMNH’s TTY) for directions, information, and weather-related closings. Visitors must be 10 years of age or older to visit the main study gallery. A small Family Learning Center is available for younger guests. Groups of 6 or more admitted with advance reservations only; 2- to 4-week notice required. Please call to make reservations. The Naturalist Center is not located on the National Mall. Its address is 741 Miller Dr., Suite G2, Leesburg, Virginia. Free. Natural History Museum, 10:30-4:00 PM.

Wednesday, March 23: National Portrait Gallery Pop Quiz: Women’s History Month Challenge

Head out to the Kogod Courtyard to play the National Portrait Gallery’s new multimedia collection–inspired trivia game. In honor of Women’s History Month, tonight’s line of questions will be based on women in the National Portrait Gallery collection. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Free. National Portrait Gallery, 6:30 PM.

Thursday, March 24: Stargazing at the Public Observatory

The museum’s Public Observatory is open for special nighttime stargazing. Don’t miss this chance to see an array of celestial objects through a powerful professional telescope, as well as additional portable telescopes. Free. Air and Space Museum, 9:00-10:00 PM.

Friday, March 25: Live Tarantula Feedings

If you don’t get the heebie-jeebies from creepy crawlies, come on out to the Insect Zoo where you can observe a tarantula feeding, touch live insects and ask questions about any of the creatures living at the Zoo. Free. National Zoo, 10:30 AM. This event repeats year-round Tuesday through Friday at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM, and on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM.

For updates on all exhibitions and events, visit our companion site goSmithsonian.com

An artist's rendering of the 3D digitally reconstructed north, east and south altars of the South Cave in Northern Xiangtanshan, Image by Jason Salavon and Travis Saul

Friday, March 18: E.O. Wilson: Biologist, Naturalist, Writer, Professor and Environmentalist

Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning biologist E.O. Wilson played a key role in the development of the new field of chemical ecology in the 1950s and 60s. With William H. Bossert of Harvard University, Wilson created the first general theory of properties of chemical communication. This evening, he discusses his two recently published books, The Leafcutter Ants: Civilization By Instinct (W. W. Norton) and Kingdom of the Ants: José Celestino Mutis and the Dawn of American Natural History (Johns Hopkins University Press). Book signing follows. Free. Natural History Museum, 7:00-8:30 PM

Saturday, March 19: Conversation: Creating the Digital Cave

Have you visited the new, immersive digital display Echoes of the Past at the Sackler and have a “how’d they do that” moment? This afternoon, artist Jason Salavon and Freer and Sackler curator Keith Wilson discuss the fascinating process of creating a digital reconstruction of Xiangtangshan’s Buddhist cave temples and how Salavon was able to convey the site’s modern history of despoliation, preservation, and reconstruction. Free. Sackler Gallery, 2:00 PM.

Sunday, March 20: Portrait Story Days: Rachel Carson

Perfect for young visitors (accompanied by an adult, of course), drop in to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. Today, learn about Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring and founder of the modern environmental movement. Free. Portrait Gallery, 1:00-4:00 PM.

For updates on all exhibitions and events, visit our companion site goSmithsonian.com

A frame from Superstardust HD, a downloadable game for the PS3. Image courtesy of the American Art Museum.

If you grew up with video games, and have piles of cartridges, diskettes and CD-ROMs lying around your home, you’ve more or less been curating your own personal exhibition of video game art in the comfort of your own home. But in your esteemed opinion, what games stand out as testaments to technological innovation or spectacular design? Coming to the American Art Museum next year, The Art of Video Games will be an exploration of how gaming has evolved as an art and entertainment medium over the course of 40 years.

But is it art? Can games seriously make the leap from toy store shelves to a museum? The answer is a qualified “yes” as far as exhibition curator and video game collector Chris Melissinos is concerned. “Video games allow for self expression, social reflection, intent and observer insight,” he says. “Due to its interactive nature, video games are an amalgam of art styles and mediums that allow for exploration, by the player or observer, of the artist’s intent or message. This exploration allows the player to internalize the message in a very personal and unique way. There is no other form of media, books, music, movies, or painting, that affords this opportunity. None. I have spent time in front of the paintings of Jackson Pollock and, while interesting, I found no self reflection or intent in them. I understand his technique, understand his intent, but it fails to move me at all. However, in the game Flower, there was a moment in the game where the music, visuals and actions transported me back to when I was a child growing up in New York that was so profound, it caused me to well up. It so happens that my personal reaction was in line with what the designer intended to convey. Between the two, Flower stands, for me, as a work of art.”

And for those of you who were similarly impacted by gaming, now is your chance to help decide which games will be included in the show. The games selected by the curators were milestones of a particular era or genre, received worldwide recognition and were innovative on a technical and visual level.

“I wanted the people who would come to see the exhibition to experience the reflection of their desires in the materials,” Melissinos says. “Not just the voice of the designers, artists and myself. Having the public vote on materials that we selected allows their participation and sense of community.”

And what’s Melissinos’ favorite game? “If I had to pick one, it would probably be Robotron 2084. In the Robotron world, robots and computers have become self aware and realize that humankind is the most destructive force against human existence. In an attempt to save the human race, the robots take over and control the population. You are there to save the last human family from this prison.”

While Robotron 2084 isn’t among the 240 game titles you can pick from, you have until April 7, 2011 to cast your votes and winnow down the list to 80 games. The Art of Video Games will open at the American Art Museum one year from today on March 16, 2012.

R2 shakes hands with its future roommate. Image courtesy of NASA.

Science fiction stories are littered with human-like robots that entertain our flights of fancy, such as the friendly, streamlined servant Robbie in Forbidden Planet. And when it comes to the robots that are actually being used in space, they are similarly machines of servitude, enhancing scientists’ abilities to explore our solar system. But NASA narrowed the gap between science fiction and science fact when they sent Robonaut 2 (R2), the first humanoid robot, into outer space. The Robonaut apparently has the ability to move its fingers purposefully, a capability called “dexterous manipulation.” It can hold tools and work alongside humans or go places where no man (or woman) has gone before.

“Many robots have operated in space as planetary scouts and rovers, and as extra eyes and arms for astronauts,” says National Air and Space Museum curator Dr. Valerie Neal. “Most of these robots look and act like machines, not like humans. Robonaut is a more sophisticated human-like robot that is capable of acting more like a human, to serve as a true assistant or partner. It is a dexterous robot; that is, it has arms, hands, and eyes that enable it to do certain useful motions, like holding equipment and handling tools. Robonaut is the first humanoid robot in space.”

A 300-pound Robonaut, R2B, was flown up to the International Space Station on February 24; however, it has yet to be unpacked so astronauts can put it to work. “The more capably it performs,” Neal says, “the more likely it will be able to enhance human activity while people live and work in space, first in orbit and maybe eventually on the Moon or Mars. As more is learned and capabilities are improved, future Robonauts might be sent to visit asteroids or farther planets and moons, in advance of (or instead of) human explorers. NASA is thinking of Robonaut as another member of the crew and will attempt to use it to do some of the tasks that astronauts usually do.” And in addition to outer space operations, this robot technology may also be used in the automotive industry here on Earth.

Visitors coming to the National Air and Space Museum on Wednesday, March 16 will see R2B’s identical twin, R2A. Accompanied by an operator, you will see a demonstration of the robot’s range of motion and ability to pick up and handle tools and respond to commands. The presentation will also include a video showing the R2 robots working with astronauts and engineers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center robotics lab. In the meantime, you can read more about NASAs robonauts and check out a “movie trailer” for this modern technological marvel, which makes it seem all the more unreal than the stuff we’re used to seeing on the screen.

Robonaut2 (R2) will conduct live demonstrations of its human-like motion and demonstrate its strength and dexterity. The robot’s NASA management team will also be on hand to answer questions. 10:30, 11:30 AM and at 1 and 2 PM at the National Air and Space Museum on Wednesday, March 16.

Five fossil human skulls show how the shape of the face and braincase of early humans changed over the past 2.5 million years. Photo by Chip Clark, Jim DiLoreto and Don Hurlbert. Image courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.

Monday, March 14: Recreating Our Past: The Art of Human Origins

With only fossil records to go by, how do artists go about envisioning what our human ancestors looked like? In this Resident Associate Program event, paleoartists John Gurche and Karen Carr discuss the techniques and science behind their two- and three-dimensional hominid landscapes and likenesses that populate the Hall of Human Origins. Natural History Museum’s curator Rick Potts joins them to unveil the new recreation of Sahelanthropus, a 7 million-year-old hominid. Tickets are required. Rates are: $25 general admission; $12 for members; $12 for full-time students with valid IDs and docents for the Hall of Human Origins (must call 202-633-3030 to receive this rate). Tickets may be purchased online or at the Resident Associate Program box office which is located in the Ripley Center on the National Mall. Natural History Museum, 6:45-8:15 PM.

Tuesday, March 15: Community Development and the Arts: Future Possibilities for the East of the River Communities

Panelists from local community organizations and citywide arts activists discuss ideas to expand Anacostia’s creative horizons—from an arts district in old Anacostia to a creation of an arts avenue in Southeast. The panel discussion will be followed by an audience dialogue session. This forum is part of the “Call and Response: Community and Creativity Project,” which is documenting creative expression in Wards 7 and 8 in Washington, D.C. Free. Anacostia Museum, 7:00 PM.

Wednesday, March 16: Meet the Artist: Hans Op de Beeck

Belgian artist Hans Op de Beeck explores our problematic relationships with time, space and each other through a variety of artistic media, including sculpture, painting, drawing, installation, photography, video, animated film and short stories. Today, he discusses his recent work, including his video Staging Silence (2009) which is on view in the related exhibition. Free. Hirshhorn, 7:00-8:00 PM.

Thursday, March 17: Women in Art Docent Tours

March is Women’s History Month and in celebration the Smithsonian American Art Museum is offering a special series of Women in Art docent-led tours. Free. American Art Museum, 5:00 PM. This event repeats every Thursday in March at 5:00 PM and on Friday, March 25 at 5:30 PM.

Friday, March 18: Subramaniampuram

This low-budget film was hailed for its careful reconstruction of the 1980s: long-haired men, bellbottoms and sounds of our recent past. Stripped of the nostalgia associated with costume drama, the film offers an unvarnished look at the friendship of five men living in the neighborhood of Subramaniapuram in Madurai. These unemployed lads squander long days on liquor and dodging the law. But instead of celebrating such youthful indiscretions, the film dissects how stagnant days infect the bonds between men. Political ambitions, murder and romance mobilize a downward slide into betrayals and shifting alliances, further heightened by wanton murder and stabbings. The film will be presented in Tamil with English subtitles. Free. Freer, 7:00 PM.

For updates on all exhibitions and events, visit our companion site goSmithsonian.com