Maggy Hunter Benson

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Maggy Benson

Maggy Benson manages both distance learning and community partnerships in the Office of Education and Outreach at the National Museum of Natural History. She manages the implementation of the NMNH distance learning program, which pioneers new models for using digital media and technology to engage youth audiences who cannot access the Museum. As a partnership manager, Maggy oversees the building and maintenance of relationships with schools, school districts, professional associations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations locally and nationally. Prior to this position, she was the community manager and producer for the Webby Award-winning Smithsonian Ocean Portal.

Prior to her work at Smithsonian, Maggy was the coordinator of Coastal America’s Learning Center Network, implementing international ocean science activities and programs such as the International Student Summit on Oceans and Coasts and the International Ocean art Contest, in partnership with aquariums, federal agencies, and corporations.

Maggy enjoys spending her time cycling through Washington, DC and occasionally slipping away to the coast to swim, surf, and dive.

Collaborator Contributions

Red Tide

In the ocean, microscopic forms of algae, known as dinoflagellates, can "bloom" into dense patches near the surface, often referred to as "red tides." Some of these harmful algal blooms (HABs) are dangerous, producing toxins that can kill marine organisms, taint shellfish, cause skin irritations, and even foul the air. They seem to be increasing in size, intensity, and persistence—possibly due to nutrient-rich runoff from land or a warming climate.

The 2012 Indonesian Biodiversity Research Center dive class stand in a group together

Scientific Diving Students from the 2012 IBRC Program

The Indonesian Biodiversity Research Center's (IBRC) 2012 scientific diving class stands together at the IBRC headquarters in Sanur, Bali. Students participated in an intensive one week scientific diving course, learning how to use scuba diving as a tool for scientific research. The students will take the skills they learned during the course and apply it to future field work with the IBRC program in Bali and for their own research project.

Sunset in Bali, Indonesia

The sun sets over Sanur in Bali, Indonesia during low tide.

Follow along with updates through blogs and photos from the team of students and researchers who are doing field research through the education program hosted by the Indonesian Biodiversity Research Center.

Map of Bali, Indonesia

The Indonesian Archipelago is the heart of the Coral Triangle, a biodiversity hotspot for marine and terrestrial life. This diversity forms an important part of Indonesia's natural, cultural, and economic heritage, its coral reefs alone support nearly 6 million people with direct employment.

10 grains of star shaped sand collected from southern Japan

Star Sand Grains Collected from Southern Japan

These star-shaped grains of sand, collected from southern Japan, look like miniature works of art -- but they were not sculpted by an artist. They are the shells of microscopic organisms called foraminifera, which build intricate shells from the calcium carbonate they collect while drifting through the water. Their shells have settled on the seafloor for 500 million years, and are used by scientists to study the earth's changing climate.

Amazing Ocean Mobile App

Amazing Ocean is a new mobile app that brings all of the content you love from the Ocean Portal straight to your mobile device. The app allows you to explore photos, videos and rich ocean-themed content from Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History and Smithsonian Ocean Portal from the comfort of your own mobile device. Browse through the app's collection of photos and facts to learn about ocean animals, habitats, and current research. Chat with other ocean-lovers by engaging in the live discussion threads, focusing on ocean issues, news, and fun facts.

X-Ray Image of a Longnose Butterflyfish

The clearly pictured spines, rays and snout make identifying this longnose butterflyfish, Forcipiger longirostris, straightforward in this X-ray image. Scientists in the Division of Fishes at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History use X-ray images, like the one shown, to study the complex bone structure and diversity of fish without having to dissect or damage

X-Ray Image of a Long-Spined Porcupine Fish

The robust oval, spine covered body of a long-spined porcupine fish, Diodon holocanthus, is revealed in this X-ray image. Scientists in the Division of Fishes at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History use X-ray images, like the one shown, to study the complex bone structure and diversity of fish without having to dissect or damage the specimen.

X-Ray Image of a Slender Snipe Eel

The elongated body, characteristic long and narrow snout, and small teeth make the slender snipe eel, Nemichthys scolopaceus, easily identifiable in this X-ray image. in the Division of Fishes at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History use X-ray images, like the one shown, to study the complex bone structure and diversity of fish without having to dissect or damage the specimen.

Dugong Feeding

Dugongs, along with manatees, make up a group of marine mammals called sirenians or seacows. In the modern world, only one species of seacow is found in any one place in the world. However, the fossil record of seacows, which dates back 50 million years, tells a different story.