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Ashley Deese

Ashley Deese is the Manager of Digital Media at the Smithsonian Science Education Center, a part of the Smithsonian Institution, where she leads the digital media team throughout the production and distribution of Smithsonian STEM products such as game apps, interactives, and videos for children around the world. Ashley has produced internationally acclaimed and bestselling game apps for the Smithsonian such as “BumperDucks,” “Disaster Detector,” and “Showbiz Safari.” Ashley’s game app, “Morphy!,” received an honoree award by The Webby Awards in 2016. “Aquation: The Freshwater Access Game” was a 2018 nominee for The Webby Awards inaugural games category for Public Service & Activism. Ashley was named to the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her work in games. Ashley is a voting member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a member of the Smithsonian Networks Review Committee for Smithsonian Channel, a Smithsonian unit editor for the Smithsonian Magazine Voices blog, member of the digital advisory board for the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Initiative, and the co-chair for Smithsonian Gaming. She earned her BS in Biology from Methodist University and a MA in Interactive Media from Elon University.

Stories from this author

Tami's Tower is a new game from the Smithsonian Science Education Center

Introducing Tami's Tower: A New Smithsonian Science Game

Tami’s Tower: Let’s Think About Engineering is an educational engineering design game that will help teach kids how to design a solution to a problem using basic engineering design principles.

3D printed guitar from Smithsonian Science for Makerspaces

Smithsonian Science Education Center Releases “Smithsonian Science for Makerspaces”

Smithsonian Science for Makerspaces will bridge formal science education and the exciting makerspace movement by helping educators and teachers engage with digital and physical technologies within the context of science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) by asking them to make something new.

Halloween crabs are known for their orange and black pattern.

7 Animals That Were Made For Halloween

Ghost bats, witch fish – it seems like animals all over the world are permanently dressed up for Halloween! Thanks to the Encyclopedia of Life, supported by the Smithsonian, we found seven of these ghoulish creatures in honor of October 31st. If you thought this holiday was just for bats and spiders, think again!

We have curriculum, professional development, and digital media resources to help you start the new school year off right!

Go Back-to-School with Resources from the Smithsonian Science Education Center!

We have curriculum, professional development, and digital media resources to help you start the new school year off right!

There are scientific investigations into whether animals use the Sun and Moon, Earth’s magnetic field, or recognition of landmarks to repeat their long journeys. (chantalrutledge/iStock/Thinkstock)

How Do Birds Navigate?

Researchers have discovered how some birds may use magnetism to navigate long trips.

Around December 21, the Northern Hemisphere tilts the farthest away from the Sun. This is called the northern winter solstice, and it is when we have the least amount of daylight of any time of the year.

What is the Winter Solstice?

Around December 21, the Northern Hemisphere tilts the farthest away from the Sun. This is called the northern winter solstice, and it is when we have the least amount of daylight of any time of the year.

Joseph Henry (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-BH824-4499)

Joseph Henry: The Father of Weather Forecasting (And the First Smithsonian Secretary!)

Did you know that the Smithsonian's first Secretary, Joseph Henry, was also credited as the father of weather forecasting? Learn how Henry developed the first national weather forecasting system with the help of Smithsonian volunteers and telegraphs.

(moisseyev/iStock/Thinkstock)

Why Do Leaves Change Color in the Fall?

Have you ever thought that the leaves changing color was the first sign of autumn? Actually, other factors trigger the leaves to change color!

Starfish and other echinoderms are extremely important to the biodiversity of our oceans. (Image: Comstock Images/Stockbyte/Thinkstock)

All About Starfish

Four facts you may or may not have known about starfish.