National Head Start Association Honored With Smithsonian’s Prestigious “One Smithsonian” Award

Alexandria, VA — The National Head Start Association (NHSA) is proud to announce that Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian, a collaborative education initiative between NHSA and the Smithsonian Institution, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Smithsonian’s “One Smithsonian” award. This distinguished honor is awarded to the program that most effectively brings together the full breadth of the Smithsonian’s resources to serve learners nationwide.

Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian brings high-quality, engaging, and culturally rich learning experiences directly into more than 49,000 Head Start classrooms nationwide. Designed to inspire curiosity and spark lifelong learning, the program connects early childhood educators, children, and families with the Smithsonian’s vast collections, world-class educators, and innovative digital tools.

“This award is a recognition of what is possible when institutions like the National Head Start Association and the Smithsonian come together with a shared vision for transformative education,” said Yasmina Vinci, executive director for the National Head Start Association. “This incredible partnership has had an impact on tens of thousands of Head Start children, families, and staff.”

The initiative has been hailed for its creativity and impact, thanks in large part to “Penelope ‘Pinky Pie’ Jackalope,” a puppet who has become a favorite among students and teachers alike during her field trips to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Smithsonian museums, and other sites. Her unique blend of enthusiasm, storytelling, and friendly approach to educational knowledge help to bring the Smithsonian into Head Start classrooms in an approachable, joyful way.

Since 2022, NHSA and the Smithsonian have partnered to offer free, nature- and conservation-focused learning opportunities for young children in Head Start programs across the nation. This collaboration leverages the resources of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and multiple Smithsonian museums to support early STEAM learning, initiative and curiosity, language and communication, and exploration and discovery.

Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian is funded in part by the Jeff Bezos gift to the National Air and Space Museum.