Descriptive Entry

The Natural Partners Program was established in 1997 and was responsible for developing on average six distance learning modules a year that were Smithsonian based and supported National Education Standards. Each module or unit integrated content with the following technologies: live two-way video conferencing, electronic field trips, interactive curricula-based web sites, development of both internet and intranet sites, satellite broadcast and a variety of multimedia presentations and products. The development of each module required coordination of a team made up of representatives from the various partners that made up the Natural Partners. Beyond these programmatic initiatives, Natural Partners was responsible for building the public side of the virtual, digital museum. This includes creating a publicly accessible, educationally meaningful digital collection of over 100,000 objects and associated text material. From this foundation, a series of virtual tours, field trips, and on-line activities was created. These materials came to the Archives upon the disbanding of the Natural Partners Program in the fall of 2006. Materials include brochures, color slides and photographs, clippings, correspondence, grant proposals, website information, curriculum, maps, architectural drawings, and video and audio cassettes.