Nearly 100 New Smithsonian Streaming Programs to Combat Your Midsummer Boredom

After the 4th of July, we’re officially in the dog days of summer. Combat any boredom you may have with some fun streaming programs (91 to be exact!) brought to you by Smithsonian Associates. Fun fact: This is the first time the Smithsonian Associates have released their educational programs into the virtual realm. Their streaming platform is brand new. Classes are selling out, so act fast!

• Photographic Creativity, Design & Composition – Students should have an understanding of basic camera operation. The course offers a better understanding of compositional elements as well as how to apply them. There’s special emphasis on taking more unique photos using natural light, balance, simplicity and more. 5 session evening course, weekly beginning Wed. July 8th, 6:30-9:30 p.m. EDT, $185 for members, $215 for non-members. Register here.
  
• The Great American Road Trip – If you can’t leave your home this summer, you can take a class studying the art of the road trip instead. You’ll discuss travel stories like John Steinbeck’s Travels and Jack Kerouac’s On the Road with Assistant Professor of Global Affairs Allen Pietrobon. Wednesday July 8th only, 6:45 p.m. $25 general admission, $15 student price. Register here.
  
• Forensic Anthropologist Kathy Reichs: A Novel Approach to Crime – For any true crime obsessives out there, forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs will be on hand to chat about her latest novel, A Conspiracy of Bones. Reichs also was a producer on the popular Bones TV series. Reichs will be in conversation with novelist Karin Slaughter. Friday July 10th only. 12 noon-1:30 p.m., $25 member, $30 for non-members. Register here.
  
• How Hamilton Remixes History & Showbiz – Historian Richard Bell looks at the musical phenom and investigates what it gets right and wrong. The program includes clips from the PBS documentary about the show too. Tuesday July 21st only. 6:45 p.m. $30 member, $35 non-member. Register here.
  
• Economics & Harry Potter – Explore how economics pervades the Potterverse with issues like monetary systems, black markets, corruption, labor issues, human-capital development and more. THe talk will be led by economist Brian O’Roark, a university professor of economics at Robert Morris University. Tuesday August 4th only. $20 general admission, $15 for students. Register here.