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EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

SOSI’s website provides a treasure trove of information for students, teachers, researchers or anyone with an interest in the sense of smell.  The Virtual Library feature is a free-to-the-public resource with a list of recent scientific articles on smell, and a bibliography of significant books on smell-related topics.  Several of the Institute’s publications are also available for download free of charge.  These include booklets such as “Living Well with Your Sense of Smell” and “The Aroma-Chology Review” newsletter.

In 2009, SOSI developed its “Making Sense of Scents” education program in partnership with Weekly Reader Publishing.   This fun, interactive program provides grades 3 - 5 teachers with the ideal way to teach students about the sense of smell, fragrance and how smell is key to survival for all living creatures.  The curriculum fits in perfectly with the National Science Standards for this grade level.  An initial mailing consisting of 5,000 teacher kits containing lesson plans, activity sheets for students and scratch & sniff sticker was sent out in May, 2009. Additional mailings of the packet will be made as funds are raised.

An ancillary website that can be access from SOSI’s home page was also launched.  The “Making Sense of Scents” feature is designed for students, teachers and parents. This is where teachers can find suggested lesson plans about scent and the sense of smell along with corresponding activity sheets that can be downloaded and printed for classroom activity. Students will find fun activities they can do on their own or with their parents. Everyone will find a wealth of information resources including “Smelly Vocabulary.” “Fun Facts,” Links to other sites and a “Virtual Library” with lists of books about the sense of smell appropriate for young readers.  Future plans call for the addition of lesson plans and activities for students in upper grades as well.

For thirteen years, from 1994 – 2006, SOSI sponsored a National Sense of Smell Day each year in the springtime.  This annual event was held at children’s museums and science centers across the U.S. and consisted of a day full of entertaining and educational activities focusing on the mysterious sense of smell.  Participants, both young and old, were urged to “Get In Touch with their Sense of Smell.”   Although SOSI ceased its official sponsorship of this program in 2007, many museums that participated continue to host their own Sense of Smell Day to this day and SOSI is please to offer assistance and guidance upon request.