Starting in 2003, NOAA became a principal partner in the Smithsonian Institution's largest renovation in its century-long history. Five years later, in September 2008, the Sant Ocean Hall opened in the National Museum of Natural History - a venerable venue located on the National Mall in Washington, DC. NOAA continues to contribute to Sant Ocean Hall in a variety of ways, including from behind the scenes. NOAA scientists get a chance to take center stage, though, when they participate as volunteers in the museum's weekly "Scientist Is In" program. From 1-3 pm on the third Wednesday of the month, NOAA scientists - whose jobs may be to study coral reefs, track hurricanes, or delve deeply into the past to determine how Earth’s climate has changed over time - show visitors specimens or artifacts and talk about ocean research, new discoveries, and other topics....