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Explore Washington, D.C.’s Science Scene – Eos

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2 years ago

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Explore Washington, D.C.’s Science Scene – Eos


From 9 to 13 December, more than 25,000 Earth and space scientists will flock to Washington, D.C., for AGU’s Annual Meeting 2024. After jam-packed days attending talks, presenting posters, exploring the exhibit hall, loading up on swag, networking over endless coffee, and playing with puppies (for, er, science?), attendees might be wondering how to extend their science binge outside the conference center.

Luckily for them, the D.C. metro area has events to keep the science times rolling. Here are just a few places to visit in and around D.C. during AGU24.

Around the City

On 10 December, author Anna Farro Henderson will speak at Busboys and Poets on K Street about Core Samples: A Climate Scientist’s Experiments in Politics and Motherhood. On 12 December, Astronomy on Tap DC is presenting “Geology on the Rocks,” with accessible planetary geophysics talks, drinks, and prizes at the DC9 Nightclub.

The National Museum of Natural History’s hyperwall displays real-time Earth observing data. Credit: Jim Di Loreto, Smithsonian

The National Mall is a museum hot spot, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is the destination for Earth sciences. A collaboration with NASA led to the new Earth Information Center at NMNH, which connects sky-high views from satellite observations with on-the-ground research. The museum’s Lights Out: Recovering Our Night Sky exhibit one floor down demonstrates the impact of light pollution on our fading night skies.

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For the more space-minded person, the National Air and Space Museum showcases innovations and pioneers in flight and space exploration. The D.C.-based museum regularly hosts stargazing, planetarium shows (for adults and kids), and solar observing. A long train ride or car trip can bring you to the museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va., to roam among historic planes and space vehicles and be immersed in stories about sustainable cities, butterflies, and space exploration in its IMAX theater.

Several Earth and space science museum displays.
AGU’s headquarters features members’ science. Credit: Beth Bagley/AGU

The visitor’s center at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., gives tours of the facility and hosts permanent exhibits on the Sun, solar system, and beyond, as well as a rocket garden and astrobiology walk.

And, of course, you can stop by AGU’s headquarters at 2000 Florida Avenue to tour the net zero building and explore its Earth and space science museum.

The Great Outdoors

A raging river with rocky rapids and waterfalls.
In the fall zone of the Potomac River, Great Falls National Park is accessible via Virginia and Maryland. Credit: Kimberly M. S. Cartier

Take some time to escape the conference center and see some of the outdoor geologic sights the city has to offer. A curated archaeology tour of D.C. buildings reveals the capital’s secret geologic history, with fossils and minerals embedded in the stones used to build some of the city’s iconic buildings. Theodore Roosevelt Island, nestled between D.C. and Arlington, Va., boasts 18 miles (29 kilometers) of accessible forest trails, interesting geologic and cultural histories, and excellent birding views. The Anacostia Riverwalk Trail winds through forest, fields, and marsh and river ecosystems, as well as historic neighborhoods and hot spots in the District and Maryland.

For those who want to travel a little farther afield, the D.C. region is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the fall zone of the Potomac River, and the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The unique confluence of geologies has something for everyone. And those looking for a souvenir to take home can travel out to Maryland to hunt for fossils in Calvert Cliffs State Park or search for shark teeth in Purse State Park. Adventurers can even paddle through a tidal freshwater marsh in Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary.

Green vegetation on wetlands.
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary has a nature center, forest hike, and birdwatching over the tidal basin. Credit: Kimberly M. S. Cartier

Start planning your science-filled trip now!

—Kimberly M. S. Cartier (@AstroKimCartier), Staff Writer

Citation: Cartier, K. M. S. (2024), Explore Washington, D.C.’s science scene, Eos, 105, https://doi.org/10.1029/2024EO240540. Published on 2 December 2024.
Text © 2024. AGU. CC BY-NC-ND 3.0
Except where otherwise noted, images are subject to copyright. Any reuse without express permission from the copyright owner is prohibited.
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Washington

Parsing Trump’s claims about Washington’s reflecting pool

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10 hours ago

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June 24, 2026

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Parsing Trump’s claims about Washington’s reflecting pool


US President Donald Trump wanted to mark the US’s 250th birthday with a renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.

The makeover, including a new coat of “American Flag blue,” cost taxpayers $16 million (€14.1 million).

But the water is covered in green algae. The blue paint is already peeling. Trump has blamed vandals, while his critics question the project’s transparency and cost.

DW’s Brent Goff and Washington correspondent Janelle Dumalaon unpack the whole fiasco.

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Social media reacts to former BYU star AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 in 2026 NBA draft

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20 hours ago

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June 23, 2026

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Social media reacts to former BYU star AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 in 2026 NBA draft


Former BYU basketball star AJ Dybantsa fulfilled his dream of going No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA draft.

The Washington Wizards selected Dybantsa with the first pick.

Immediately after the pick, reactions poured in on social media about the Wizards drafting Dybantsa.

Social media reactions to the Washington Wizards selecting BYU star AJ Dybantsa

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSL and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Want more coverage of BYU sports? Take us with you wherever you go.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up to date on all your favorite teams.

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Washington Commanders announce 2026 training camp schedule

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1 day ago

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June 23, 2026

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Washington Commanders announce 2026 training camp schedule


ASHBURN, Va. – The Washington Commanders have released their 2026 Training Camp schedule, with eleven open practices between August 1 and August 19, including five open to all fans and six reserved for season ticket members.

For the fifth straight year, training camp will take place at the team’s football operations headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia. 

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Open practices for all fans are scheduled for August 1, August 7, August 8, August 18 and August 19.

 Season ticket member practices will be held August 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12. 

All sessions begin at 8:30 a.m., with gates opening at 7:30 a.m.

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Fans can claim free tickets beginning June 23 at 10 a.m. General admission fans may request up to six tickets and one parking pass for a single day of camp. Season ticket members can claim tickets for two member‑exclusive days in addition to one general admission day. All parking will be on site at the BigBear.ai Performance Center and requires a parking pass.

The team plans several themed events throughout camp, including Back Together Weekend on August 1, Military Appreciation Day on August 7 and Kids Day on August 8. Local youth football and community groups will also be hosted throughout the summer.

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For more information visit the Washington Commanders online.

The Source: Information in this article comes from the Washington Commanders.

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