There
are currently no projects available in this topic area.
Collections
Management
anthropological
There
are currently no projects available in this topic area.
Collections Management
biological
PROJECT
TITLE:
Digital Imaging of Ants for Online Identification
Guide
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
Staff of USDA's Systematic Entomology Lab, housed in the
Natural History Building, routinely receive insect specimens
for identification from ports of entry into the United States.
This service is a critical component in preventing accidental
introductions of invasive pests into the US. The majority
of the specimens identified by the USDAs Hymenoptera
Unit consist ants. As a result, Research Entomologists in
the Hymenoptera Unit have begun work on a fully illustrated,
multiple entry online key (using LucID v. 3.4 software)
to help speed up the identification process. The intern
will prepare ant specimens for imaging with one of two high
performance digital imaging stations to produce images for
the key. In some instances post-imaging manipulation with
Photoshop may be required. Training will be provided in
the use of the imaging equipment.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Interest in photography/digital imaging, image processing,
and microscopy strongly encouraged. Experience with the
Adobe Creative Suite of image enhancement software a plus.
TIMETABLE:
Due to the nature of this project, we prefer candidates
that are able to commit to a six-week internship. Ideally,
two internship slots will be available for this project
in 2009: one working from May-June and one more working
July-August.
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Matt Buffington
|
Phone:
202-382-1784
|
E-mail:
matt.buffington@ars.usda.gov |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Fabulous Fish: Illustrations and Images
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The National Museum of Natural History is seeking interns
and volunteers to work with the Fish Illustration Collection.
The Fish Illustration Collection is located at the Museum
Support Center (MSC) in Suitland, Maryland and contains original
art, photographs and other visual works depicting various
fish species found throughout the world. The collection spans
a time of more than 150 years and contains images that document
live fish characteristics, such as color and other external
anatomical features that may not be distinguished in preserved
specimens. Interns and volunteers are needed to: rehouse the
illustrations following preservation procedures; perform a
detailed cataloging and inventory of the collection using
a database; and reproduce original works in digital format
for a myriad of imaging products.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Interest either in biological science, art history, paper
conservation, or digital imaging. Experience is helpful but
not necessary.
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite.
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Lisa Palmer
|
Phone:
301-238-1734
|
E-mail:
palmerl@.si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Crustacean Reprints
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The intern will scan scientific reprints as archival copies;
filing reprints into the Crustacea Library collection.
QUALIFICATIONS
/ REQUIREMENTS:
No specific qualifications are required; however, knowledge
of Microsoft Excel and Office would be useful.
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Staff
Sponsor:
Marilyn Schotte
|
Phone:
202-633-0675
|
E-mail:
schottem@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Longhorned Woodboring Beetle Curation
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Department of Entomology is seeking an intern to sort,
label, and database identified longhorned woodboring beetles.
Intern(s) are needed on a somewhat regular basis, especially
during the summer. Intern(s) will see what few visitors see
and will gain a new appreciation for insect diversity!
QUALIFICATIONS:
Open to anyone with experience in biology, with a special
interest in entomology. Position will require handling delicate,
dried beetle specimens, so manual dexterity is required. Attention
to detail while entering scientific names in a database is
critical. Intern must be able to tolerate low levels of naphthalene
used for pest control.
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite. Must commit to the project for at least 6 weeks.
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Steven Lingafelter
|
Phone:
202-382-1793
|
E-mail:
coleopsoceditor@gmail.com |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Biosystematic Database of World Diptera
(BDWD).
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
Flies, mosquitoes, gnats, etc., members of the insect order
Diptera, represent 10% of the known diversity of Life, some
150,000 species, and are of critical importance to us as they
are disease vectors, pollinators, model organisms for research,
biological control agents, and plant pests. Their classification
and names are essential for information management. Be a part
of the team building a modern online index to these flies.
Become acquainted with all aspects of our BDWD and then finalize
a twig on our tree of knowledge for flies. Some work may be
boring, such as data entry or filing of papers, but local
field work to collect and document flies will add variety.
See us on the web at http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/Diptera/
and under Names.
QUALIFICATIONS:
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
F. Christian Thompson
|
Phone:
202-382-1800
|
E-mail:
chris.thompson@ars.usda.gov |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Scanning worms onto the internet!
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The intern will scan literature dealing with taxonomy and
biology of worms in the phylum Nemertea. The NEMERTES web
site is intended to serve as a relatively comprehensive knowledge-base
for specialists, other professionals, and students interested
in an important but understudied phylum of marine worms. Much
of the most important literature is old and difficult to access.
We are providing access to that by scanning and posting it
as PDFs. Nemertean worms are predators and occupy all marine
habitats, as well as some terrestrial and freshwater habitats.
Despite their ecological significance and potential importance
in understanding animal evolution, this particular phylum
of worms tends to be ignored because they are very difficult
to work with and to identify, and getting access to existing
information is exceedingly difficult. Consequently, there
are few specialists and becoming one is very difficult. The
Nemertes web site is intended to make information more widely
and more easily available, so that beginning specialists can
train themselves effectively and specialists as well as non-specialists
can work more efficiently with these worms. The site is built
around a comprehensive literature database indexed and linked
to a taxonomy database, which in turn is linked to image,
glossary, and geographic locality databases. There already
are several hundred PDFs associated with this literature.
These PDFs have become the most appreciated part of the site.
This is an opportunity for someone to make a significant contribution
to advancing access to our knowledge about the world¹s
biological diversity.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience with scanning, Windows and Mac OS would be advantageous
but not necessary.
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None.
CONTACT
Name:
Jon
Norenburg
|
Phone:
202-633-1783
|
E-mail:
norenburgj@si.edu
|
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Preparing a List of Plant Species
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) calls for
a preliminary assessment list of the conservation status of
all known plant species. The student will use specimen data
from the U.S. National Herbarium to investigate and analyze
preliminary conservation assessments on select plant families.
QUALIFICATIONS:
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Gary Krupnick
|
Phone:
202-633-0940
|
E-mail:
krupnickg@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Biographical History of Crustacean Research
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The intern will: convert a collection of ~ 400 portraits,
biographies, and associated references archived in our "Gallery
of Carcinologists" to electronic format for subsequent
web posting on the IZ website; scan portraits, photographs,
negatives and biographical text using flat-bed, auto-feed
and/or book scanner for archival and permanent storage purposes;
edit digital images using Adobe Photoshop photo-editing program;
save images as TIFF files at high resolution (mostly 600 DPI);
save text files as PDF files; arrange all files in an organized
fashion in designated subdirectory on computer; files backed
up daily; burn completed digital files onto CD/DVD for permanent
storage; label and organize CD/DVD properly; cross-check
portraits scanned with database listing and file folders;
update database.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Computer skills: file management and organization; burning
files to CD/DVD; basics of image scanning; experience using
scanning equipment; experience with Adobe Photoshop or any
other photo-editing program; experience with MS Excel and/or
MS Access files; independent
worker.
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Rafael Lemaitre
|
Phone:
202-633-0667
|
E-mail:
lemaitrr@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Botany of the United States Exploring
Expedition: 1838-1842
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
Interns will work directly in the US National Herbarium to
extract specimens collected on the US Exploring Expedition
as well as conduct research online, and in libraries and archives
to resolve gaps in the specimen data record. Interns are also
needed to enumerate specimens that have already been located
to maintain organization of specimen data. Other opportunities
include managing the growing Wilkes collection and transcribing
historical documents including some data-entry is required.
Sure
we've all heard about the journeys of Captain Cook and Lewis
& Clark but have you ever heard about the US Exploring
Expedition 1838-1842? There were 6 Vessels, 346 men, plus
9 scientists and artists that traveled the world with the
goal of surveying and charting the South Pacific, exploring
the Columbia River of the US Pacific NW, and claiming discovery
of, then unknown, Antarctica. Even lesser known are the stories
of the expedition's scientific collections. The Smithsonian
Institution's natural history collections claim their roots
in the wealth of specimens brought back by the scientists
on board. In the US National Herbarium alone, there are potentially
10,000 US Exploring Expedition specimens from around the world.
It is estimated that a total of 50,000 botanical specimens
exist at a variety of herbaria across the country and around
the globe. A comprehensive narrative discussing the Botany
of the US Exploring Expedition has not yet been done. This
project focuses on the botanical story of the expedition from
its historical and scientific perspectives. The project's
goals include enumerating the entire collection, conserving
each specimen, and producing a web presentation that integrates
specimens and historical documents, such as publications,
correspondence, manuscripts, field notes, and journal entries,
into a precise resource on the Botany of the US Exploring
Expedition.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Must have a strong interest in working directly
with museum collections, especially with regard to botanical
specimens. Must possess strong research skills. Must be able
to work independently and demonstrate a commitment to achieving
project goals. Must be detail oriented and highly motivated.
Careful handling MUST be applied in working with fragile,
historical specimens. Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft
Access a plus. A minimum of 10 hours per week is required.
Individuals best suited to the project are eager to search
for 'buried' specimens, patient when they don't find them,
and possess a sense of humor.
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Rusty Russell
|
Phone:
202-633-0943
|
E-mail:
russellr@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Plant Species Image Collection
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The plant
species image resource numbers over 15,000 and is primarily
based on scientific nomenclature. This library of photographic
images of plant species and plant habitats is intended for
public as well as professional use. In order to make searching
easier for non-scientists, common names and other terms need
to be added to the database. An intern is needed to research
common names of plant species in a variety of online sources
and update the database with these terms. Additional help
with creating digital images and organizing the image resources
may also be needed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Rusty Russell
|
Phone:
202-633-0943
|
E-mail:
russellr@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Herbarium Curation - Filing Plant Specimens
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
In this project you will file mounted plant specimens into
the U.S. National Herbarium collections. Herbarium specimens
are generally mounted on 11x17 sheets of archival paper and
filed according to a specific sequence, similar to library
books in a library.
QUALIFICATIONS:
The intern must be able to handle delicate specimens carefully,
should have an appreciation of filing specimens properly,
and should be interested in plant classification. The intern's
knowledge of geography will improve by using references.
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None.
CONTACT
Name:
Debbie Bell
|
Phone:
202-633-0924
|
E-mail:
belld@si.edu |
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PROJECT TITLE:
Floristic Changes in the Santa Rosa/San
Jacinto National Monument
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Department of
Botany has a cooperative project between the U.S. National
Herbarium, the Riverside Municipal Museum, the University
of Redlands and the University of California-Riverside mapping
changes in the flora of the Santa Rosa/San Jacinto National
Monument area in Riverside County using thousands of historic
specimen records and modern botanical collections. Herbarium
specimens from this locality have been assembled and the data
for each needs to be collected in electronic form. Some digital
images will be created. Most importantly, the general locality
information needs to be translated in georeference points
in order for it to be interpretable by GIS. Information obtained
from this project will contribute to improved public education
as well as decisions that are being made the Bureau of Land
Management regarding designation of certain land in the area
of the National Monument.
QUALIFICATIONS:
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Rusty Russell
|
Phone:
202-633-0943
|
E-mail:
russellr@si.edu |
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PROJECT TITLE:
Botany/Herbarium Curation Projects
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
Assist with a variety of collections management tasks relating
to botanical specimens, including (but not limited to) sorting
National Cancer Institute herbarium specimen vouchers, filing
newly mounted or return loan specimens, mounting cryptograms
or phanerogam specimens, processing outgoing exchange, etc.
Some of the work will be at the Museum Support Center (MSC)
located in Suitland, Maryland and some will be at the Herbarium
located on the National Mall. The number/variety of tasks
will depend on whether the student is interested in interning
full or part time and the number of weeks available. Tasks
are suitable for part or full time person and for long or
short amounts of time.
QUALIFICATIONS:
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Linda Hollenberg
|
Phone:
202-633-0937
|
E-mail:
hollenl@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Mosquito geodatabase for disease risk
assessment
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
Follow in the footsteps of medical entomologists in deepest,
darkest Africa or the wilds of the Amazon, by bringing to
life the results of over 100 years of mosquito collecting
activity. The recently developed website MosquitoMap
is the first spatial geodatabase of mosquito collection
records. These records are sourced from databases kept at
the Smithsonian and other museums, and from reports of distribution
in the literature. The Mal-area calculator tool within MosquitoMap
adds relevance to these records by allowing the user to
determine the degree of vector-borne disease risk for an
area of interest, based on the predicted co-occurrence of
mosquitoes, humans and diseases like Malaria and Yellow
Fever. The intern will update our knowledge of mosquito
distribution and disease risk by surveying the literature
for collection records that can be added to MosquitoMap.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Computer skills; knowledge of MS Excel; attention to detail;
interest or experience in GIS and website development an
advantage but not necessary.
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite.
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Desmond Foley
|
Phone:
301-238-1069
|
E-mail:
foleydes@si.edu |
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Collections
Management
geological
PROJECT
TITLE:
Fossil Plant-Insect Associational Studies
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The duties of this project are variable and can include
any or all of the following tasks. First, is the core task
of entering of fossil insect data from the primary literature
into a relational EndNote database using targeted key words.
The purpose of this task eventually is to provide raw data
for an analysis of insect diversity during the past 420
million years. Second, is the digital photography of fossil
insect herbivore damage to plants, particularly insect-damaged
leaves, for preparation of plates and figures to accompany
manuscripts. Third, is the searching for plant and insect
specimens in Paleobiology's Third Floor and elsewhere, such
as the Botany herbarium, for photography and study. Fourth,
is the search for journal articles and books in the Smithsonian
libraries necessary for completion of various projects on
the fossil history of plant-insect associations, and in
particular to add to the EndNote data-base described above.
Last, are seasonal or unanticipated tasks, such as processing
of summer field specimens from shipped crates into the Department's
paleobotany and paleoentomology collections.
QUALIFICATIONS:
First-year knowledge of basic biology and geology is important.
In addition, familiarity with modern (or possibly fossil)
insects and plants is welcomed. Elementary knowledge or
experience in data-entry for the EndNote database and ExCel
spreadsheet is preferable, but can be learned from an introductory
tutorial.
TIMETABLE:
A minimal commitment of one full day per week for at least
one year is highly desirable. Hours are flexible, at the
discretion of the student and supervisor, but need to be
linked to a particular day or blocks of hours within each
week.
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Conrad Labandeira
|
Phone:
202-633-1336
|
E-mail:
labandeirac@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Digital Imaging of the National Cleared
Leaf Collection - Paleobotany
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Smithsonian's Department of Paleobiology holds the largest
collection of cleared and stained leaves in the world - more
than 20,000 slides - that are mainly used as reference for
botanical fossils. The leaves have been chemically cleared,
then their veins have been stained red to make them easier
to study. We are currently taking digital images of the leaves
so that they can be made accessible over the web to scientists
anywhere in the world.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience with digital photography.
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Scott Wing
|
Phone:
202-633-1361
|
E-mail:
wings@si.edu |
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PROJECT TITLE:
Active Volcano News Team
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
Seeks students who have strong interest in areas such as writing,
graphics, maps, satellite images, geophysical data, and photos.
We disseminate information about active volcanoes in a monthly
newsletter (the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network,
www.volcano.si.edu). The information feeds into a larger database
that gives scientists, engineers, and planners some picture
of volcanoes, including their monitoring, impact, locations,
frequency of eruption, and eruptive behavior.
QUALIFICATIONS:
It takes several months to get up to speed and requires a
commitment of at least 6-10 hours per week.
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Rick Wunderman
|
Phone:
202-633-1827
|
E-mail:
wunderma@si.edu |
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Education
and Outreach
PROJECT
TITLE:
Forensic Anthropology Lab
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Forensic Anthropology Lab Internship immerses the student
in the development and implementation of classes for students
in grades 4-10 and programs for the public in the new hands-on
Forensic Anthropology Lab. The lab is an extension of the
exhibition Written in Bone: Forensic Files of the 17th Century
Chesapeake. This exhibition explores the ways forensic anthropology
expands our knowledge of the lives led by the earliest colonists
- "their diets and health, their work and pastimes, their
communities and customs." Although the historical setting
lends purpose to the science, it is the science that imparts
meaning to history. Using skeletal remains from early colonists
and archaeological findings, Written in Bone will unravel
the details of lives and human relationships that were previously
unknown. The forensic evidence brings to life real people
and sheds new light on their occupations, diet, and health
and mortality. Unlike any other NMNH educational facility,
the Written in Bone Forensic Anthropology Lab will be outfitted
with the tools of a forensic anthropology laboratory and will
emphasize forensic anthropology and related forensic disciplines.
During public hours, visitors (mostly families) will engage
in self-directed learning activities, exploring bones and
other specimens to unravel clues to forensic cases based on
real cases worked on by NMNH scientists. Interns will help
to guide the visitors through activities, explain forensic
anthropology topics, and help them with technology such as
microscopes. The intern will: assist students in grades 4-10
in collecting data, drawing conclusions, and learning from
bones and other artifacts during classroom lessons; interact
with visitors (mainly families) during public hours to guide
them through educational activities that include working with
objects, microscopes, and computer programs that analyze data
collected from bones; assist with the set up, break down and
general maintenance of Lab activities for public audiences;
help to revise and create new activities that can be used
in the Forensic Anthropology Lab; and conduct administrative
tasks such as correspondence or creating packets for educators.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Seeking an undergraduate or graduate student who has completed
coursework or currently enrolled in courses in museum studies
or museum education and has a background in Physical or Forensic
Anthropology. A successful intern will come to the program
with clear goals, an eagerness to learn, the flexibility to
work in a large institution, excellent organizational skills;
good communication skills; ability and interest in working
with the public in an education setting with families and
students in grades 4-10. Interns are supervised by the Education
Specialist for the Forensic Anthropology Lab, but work in
a team environment with other staff, volunteers and interns.
TIMETABLE:
AWARD
PACKAGE:
CONTACT
Name:
Bill Watson
|
Phone:
202-633-1127
|
E-mail:
watsonb@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Discovery Room Public/School Programs
Internship
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Discovery Room Public/School Programs Internships immerses
the student in the Discovery Room's two main programs: open
hours and school programs. Open hours are Tuesday through
Thursday from noon-2:30, Friday 10:30-2:30 and Saturday and
Sunday from 10:30-3:30. During public hours, visitors (mostly
families) explore the objects and activities in the room at
their own pace and guided by their own interests. Volunteers,
interns and staff in the room guide the visitors through the
activities. School Programs are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
from 10:00-noon. There are seven lessons offered to students
in K-8th grade. Classes can accommodate 15-60 students. Occasionally
there are students or classes with special needs. Lessons
include small group work which is where the intern will interact
with students. The intern will: Assist the teaching of school
programs to include interacting with students in grades K-8;
Assist with the set up, break down and general maintenance
of the school programs; Interact with visitors (mainly families)
during public hours to guide them through educational activities;
Create an educational product that can be used in the Discovery
Room during open hours; Conduct administrative tasks such
as correspondence or creating packets for educators; (optional)
Participate in outreach opportunities that may arise to communicate
Discovery Room offerings to educators in the Washington, DC
area; (optional) Assist with the creation and maintenance
of a social-networking product such as a fan page on Facebook.
This
internship is based at the Discovery Room, a hands-on learning
environment for families and school groups. The public programs/school
programs internship work will be conducted in the Discovery
Room and in an office. The intern will have the opportunity
to consult with Museum educators, collections staff and scientists.
While the internship is not overly physical, it does require
being on ones feet for continuous periods of time and moving
some furniture.
QUALIFICATIONS:
his internship requires you are available at least one morning
Tues-Thurs. between 9:30-12:00 pm and during one open hours
session. Seeking an undergraduate or graduate student who
has completed coursework or is currently enrolled in courses
in museum studies or museum education and has a background
in science. A successful intern will come to the program with
clear goals, an eagerness to learn, the flexibility to work
in a large institution, excellent organizational skills; good
communication skills; ability and interest in working with
the public in an education setting with families and students
in grades K-8th grade. Interns are supervised by the Manager
of the Discovery Room, but work in a team environment with
other staff, volunteers and interns
TIMETABLE:
CONTACT:
Name:
Amy Bolton
|
Phone:
202-633-1071
|
E-mail:
boltonam@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Arctic Studies Center Annual Newsletter
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
Since 1993, the Arctic Studies Center (ASC) has produced an
annual newsletter for donors, supporters and colleagues that
reviews the Centers research initiatives, fieldwork,
exhibits and publications. The newsletter is currently distributed
to approx. 1500 subscribers, and is posted on the ASC
website. We are looking for a student with an interest
in circumpolar studies who can both assist in the production
of the 2008 newsletter (deadline: Feb. 2009) and more importantly,
lead an effort to produce a comprehensive index of all past
editions. This would be an ideal project for someone with
superior writing/editing skills and an interest in archives
development or scientific history.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Proven writing/editing skills and experience in desktop publishing
preferred.
TIMETABLE:
Fall 2008 through Spring 2009
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
William Fitzhugh
|
Phone:
202-633-1887
|
E-mail:
fitzhugh@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Production of archaeological field reports
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Arctic Studies Center (ASC) is looking for interns with
a background in archaeology and experience working with desktop
publishing and graphic design software. If you have an interest
in either the cultural history of Mongolia or historic archaeology
in coastal Quebec, and would also like to refine your skills
in Adobe programs like PhotoShop, Illustartor and InDesign,
we would love to work with you on the production of our annual
field reports. We aim to produce technical field reports that
both adequately document our archaeological research, and
appeal to general readers interested in learning more about
the ASCs initiatives in these diverse regions. Completed
reports are submitted to provincial authorities and are posted
on the ASC website: http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/html/pub_field.html
.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Some experience working with Adobe PhotoShop, Illustrator
or InDesign is preferred.
TIMETABLE:
Fall and Spring
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
William Fitzhugh
|
Phone:
202-633-1887
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E-mail:
fitzhugh@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Science Writing Internship - Encyclopedia
of Life
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Encyclopedia of Life is an unprecedented
global initiative to create an infinitely expandable web page
for each of the planet's 1.8 million known species. The project
brings together some of the world's leading scientific research
institutions and libraries including the Smithsonian, The
Field Museum of Natural History, Missouri Botanical Gardens,
Marine Biological Laboratory, Harvard, and the Biodiversity
Heritage Library. The National Museum of Natural History hosts
the EOL Secretariat. Intern(s) will develop story ideas and
write short stories and features for the EOL online newsletter,
EOLetter, which is distributed quarterly to nearly 40,000
readers. The intern will also have the opportunity to develop
and write stories and text for other EOL promotional materials
such as posters, brochures, and annual reports. This is a
great opportunity to build your writing portfolio using unique
access to leading scientific research for great story ideas.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Current undergraduate or graduate student, writing experience
required.
TIMETABLE:
Flexible
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Breen Byrnes
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Phone:
202-633-8730
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E-mail:
byrnesb@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Live Butterfly Pavilion Intern
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
This hands on internship will give a student the unique opportunity
to support the butterfly pavilion staff in almost all aspects
of the exhibits daily operations. The intern will assist with
the plant care and animal husbandry in the exhibit, interact
with exhibit visitors, maintain clean conditions in the exhibit
and lab, and work with staff to ensure butterfly containment.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Seeking an applicant with a strong interest in horticulture,
entomology and/or animal husbandry. The applicant must be
able to tolerate working in warm and humid environments and
be able to lift up to fifty pounds.
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Dan Babbitt
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Phone:
202-633-1089
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E-mail:
babbittd@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Development Internship
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
This internship features the opportunity to learn and participate
in marketing, communication, and fundraising. In the next
year, the Museum will embark on many exciting projects and
new exhibitions, including the opening of a new Ocean Hall
and a collaborative effort with the worlds leading research
institutions to document all 1.8 million species (the Encyclopedia
of Life). We are seeking interns to help the Museum achieve
its philanthropic goals for these projects and other Museum
initiatives. Interns will support all aspects of our fundraising
efforts (or can tailor their internship depending on interests).
Possible duties include:
Research and administrative support for the Development Office
staff
Website maintenance
Database management
Writing articles for newsletters
Public relations and event activities
Newsletter production
Production of solicitation materials
Onsite marketing and solicitations
QUALIFICATIONS:
Should be able to commit 8 to 20 hours per week and be in
good academic standing. The ideal candidates has excellent
analytical, communication, organizational, and leadership
skills. Strong research, computer (e.g. knowledge of Microsoft
Word and Excel, and databases) and writing skills are desirable.
TIMETABLE:
Indefinite
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Jennifer L. Williams
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Phone:
202-633-1878
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E-mail:
WILLIAMSJL@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Ocean Exhibit Interpretation and Education
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Ocean Hall Interpretation Intern will develop a Content
and Training Guide for Museum Volunteer Docents to help them
interpret approximately 50 objects in the museums spectacular
new Ocean Hall, opening September 27, 2008. The intern will
help to develop strategies for docents to interpret the exhibit
and additional information from scientists who are working
on its development. The work will involve integrating supplemental
scientific information from curators into the exhibit script
and developing educational strategies for engaging the public
in conversations about the exhibit. The intern will produce
a Content and Training Guide based on his or her efforts.
QUALIFICATIONS:
We are seeking an undergraduate or graduate student who has
completed course work or is currently enrolled in courses
in museum studies, museum education, science education, or
another field in which interpreting information for different
audiences is emphasized. The successful intern will also be
eager to learn; flexible; have excellent organizational and
communication skills; and be interested in working with volunteers
in an education setting.
TIMETABLE:
Immediate
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Harold Banks
|
Phone:
202-633-1075
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E-mail:
banksh@si.edu
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Volunteer Program Start-up and Management
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Docent Management Intern will help build a volunteer docent
program from scratch. On September 27, 2008, the Museum will
open Ocean Hall, a breathtaking 23,000 square foot exhibit
that will allow visitors to become truly immersed in all things
related to the ocean, from quirky reef creatures to giant
squid to the urgent problems facing the oceanand human
kind. To successfully implement Ocean Hall programming, the
museum needs to develop and support a corps of approximately
150 volunteer docents. As the Docent Management Intern, you
will: help recruit, correspond with, interview, and train
a corps of 150 docents, prepare a Docent Directory and a plan
for scheduling and communicating with all Ocean Hall docents,
contribute to the development, planning, and implementation
of a docent recognition and appreciation event and a newsletter
for docents
QUALIFICATIONS:
We are seeking an undergraduate or graduate student who has
completed course work or is currently enrolled in courses
in museum studies, nonprofit management, public administration,
or another field related to the management of nonprofit or
museum programs. The successful intern will also be eager
to learn; flexible; have excellent organizational and communication
skills; and be interested in working with volunteers in an
education setting.
TIMETABLE:
Immediate
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Harold Banks
|
Phone:
202-633-1075
|
E-mail:
banksh@si.edu
|
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Discovery Room Collections Internship
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
During this multi-year project, the Discovery Room collection
is being assessed, catalogued (objects identified, given numbers
and put into an excel file) and organized in a new collections
area. The outstanding tasks for this project include completing
the identifying, cataloguing (assigning numbers to objects
or batches of objects) and organizing the collection in a
new storage space. This internship completes the final phase
of the project and includes collections maintenance and learning
how to use a collection in an educational setting. The intern
will: create a catalogue system for an existing, recently
updated collection; organize an existing, recently updated
collection in a newly created storage space; maintain the
objects in the collection and the collection catalogue; cntegrate
objects in the collection into an educational program, product
or setting.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Seeking an undergraduate or graduate student who has completed
coursework or currently enrolled in courses in museum studies
or museum education and science. A successful intern will
come to the program with clear goals, an eagerness to learn,
the flexibility to work in a large institution, excellent
organizational and cataloging skills; good communication skills
and computer skills; ability and interest in working with
collections; be a self-starter and work independently. Interns
are supervised by the Manager of the Discovery Room, but work
in a team environment with other staff, volunteers and interns.
TIMETABLE:
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Amy Bolton
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Phone:
(202-633-1071
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E-mail:
boltonam@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Rocks Initiative Internship
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Rocks Initiative Internship immerses the student in an
Earth Science educational program being developed for teachers
and students in grades 4-8. The Rocks Initiative Internship
will center around two products in development: exhibit-based
educational activities and an informational poster for the
classroom. The three major duties for the internship include
research and writing on Earth Science subjects for elementary
and middle school, understanding the visitor experience in
a museum setting and working with a team to develop exhibit
activities. The intern will: research the needs of elementary
and middle school teachers and students to have a successful
field trip to the Museum; research and write background material
for elementary and middle school teachers to use in the classroom
or before a field trip to the Museum; research and understand
the visitor experience in a Museum via interaction with the
public in the Discovery Room and other Museum exhibits; work
with a team to create educational activities for the Rocks
Gallery in the Geology, Gems and Minerals exhibit; conduct
administrative tasks such as correspondence or creating packets
for educators; and (optional) participate in outreach opportunities
that may arise to communicate Earth Science offerings to educators
or families in the Washington, DC area. This internship is
based in the Office of Education and Outreach, Rocks Gallery
and Discovery Room, a hands-on learning environment for families
with children and school groups. The Earth Science internship
work will be conducted in the Rocks Gallery, Discovery Room
and in an office. The intern will have the opportunity to
consult with Museum educators and scientists. While the internship
is not overly physical, it does require being on ones feet
for continuous periods of time.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Seeking an undergraduate or graduate student who has completed
coursework or is currently enrolled in courses in Earth Science
and has an interest in education and outreach in a museum
setting, or a graduate student enrolled in museum education
program who has either an undergraduate degree related to
Earth Science or has taken courses in Earth Science subjects.
A successful intern will come to the program with clear goals,
an eagerness to learn, the flexibility to work in a large
institution, excellent organizational skills; good communication
skills; ability and interest in working with the public in
an education setting with families and students in grades
4-8.
TIMETABLE:
Summer, 2008
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Amy Bolton
|
Phone:
(202-633-1071
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E-mail:
boltonam@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Naturalist Center Collections Management
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Smithsonians Naturalist Center in Leesburg, Virginia
is a natural history museum collection/reference facility
for the serious student or amateur naturalist, ages 10 and
above. At the Naturalist Center, you step into the world of
a scientist, where 36,000 natural history and anthropology
specimens are available for public study, five days a week,
Tuesday through Saturday. The Center is located in Leesburg,
Virginia. Our collections are in need of tender care, from
fossils to mammals bones. With thousands of hands getting
into these collections a year, specimens need to be inventoried,
organized, relabeled, and dusted.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Collections management interest and understanding. Desire
to work with a high degree of accuracy and patience.
TIMETABLE:
Semesteror whatever amount of time experienced intern
had to offer.
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Helene Lisy
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Phone:
703-779-9712
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E-mail:
lisyh@si.edu
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Create a Naturalist Center Standards of
Learning Programs Cart
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The intern will design hands-on inquiry based discovery boxes
for the Naturalist Center's Standards of Learning cart and
test these programs with visitors. The cart will be stationed
in the Family Learning Center of the Smithsonians Naturalist
Center in Leesburg, VA. The cart will contain specimens to
help children learn topics, such as: animal adaptations, biodiversity
and classification, ocean biomes, comparative vertebrate teeth,
etc. Specimens will be selected from biological and earth
science catalogues and requested from the museum. In addition,
the intern could write a proposal to acquire a cart, additional
specimens, and other materials as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
An understanding of hands-on inquiry-based learning. Interns
need a caror need to live in the Leesburg area where
there is limited public transportation.
TIMETABLE:
Semester Project
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Helene Lisy
|
Phone:
703-779-9712
|
E-mail:
lisyh@si.edu
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Naturalist Center School Group Program
Leader
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The intern will lead school programs at the Smithsonians
Naturalist Center in Leesburg, VA. The intern will learn about
the Centers school programs and lead groups (ages 10
through university) at the Center. Many student groups have
difficulty getting to the center so this project could also
involve giving presentations at the schools. The intern will
also design and implement an evaluation for these programs.
The intern may also seek a grant to acquire additional collections,
carts, and program boxes to bring to schools so that our Naturalist
Center collections remain a reference collection.
QUALIFICATIONS:
An understanding of hands-on inquiry-based learning. Interns
need a caror need to live in the Leesburg area where
there is limited public transportation.
TIMETABLE:
Semester Project
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Helene Lisy
|
Phone:
703-779-9712
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E-mail:
lisyh@si.edu
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PROJECT
TITLE:
iWonder Workshop Documentation
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
Using 11 years of teacher-written hands-on inquiry based programs
from the Naturalist Center iwonder workshops; the intern will
rewrite them so that they are all uniformly presented and
web-ready. National Standards of Learning would be assigned
to them. We would like to make these programs available to
all teachers on the internet.
QUALIFICATIONS:
An understanding of hands-on inquiry-based learning. Interns
need a caror need to live in the Leesburg area where
there is limited public transportation.
TIMETABLE:
Semester Project
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Helene Lisy
|
Phone:
703-779-9712
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E-mail:
lisyh@si.edu
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Naturalist Center Invertebrate Zoology
Collections Organization
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Smithsonians Naturalist Center, in Leesburg, Virginia
has several thousand uncatalogued sea shells that are roughly
organized within family groups. Intern(s) will sort gastropods
and pelecypods into family groups and store these alphabetically
by family in storage area of Naturalist Center. The final
destination of these shells is within the public area of the
world wide sea shell collection of the Naturalist Center.
Once the shells are sorted, each family can be worked on separately,
verifying identification and collection need, and cataloguing
them within Naturalist Center collections.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Collections management and invertebrate zoology interest and
understanding. Desire to work with a high degree of accuracy
and patience. Interns need a caror need to live in the
Leesburg area where there is limited public transportation.
TIMETABLE:
Semesteror whatever amount of time experienced intern
had to offer.
AWARD
PACKAGE:
None
CONTACT
Name:
Helene Lisy
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Phone:
703-779-9712
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E-mail:
lisyh@si.edu
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Discovery Room Public/School Programs
Internship
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Discovery Room Public/School Programs Internships
immerses the student in the Discovery Room's two main
programs: open hours and school programs. Open hours are
Tuesday through Thursday from noon-2:30, Friday 10:30-2:30
and Saturday and Sunday from 10:30-3:30. During public
hours, visitors (mostly families) explore the objects
and activities in the room at their own pace and guided
by their own interests. Volunteers, interns and staff
in the room help guide the visitors through the activities.
School Programs are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from
10:00-noon. There are seven lessons offered to students
in K-8th grade. Classes are pre-registered and can accommodate
15-60 students. Occasionally there are students or classes
with special needs. Lessons include small group work which
is where the intern will interact with students.
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Assist
in the teaching of school programs to
include interacting with students in
grades K-8th
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Interact
with visitors (mainly families) during
public hours to guide them through educational
activities
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Create
an educational product that can be used
in the Discovery Room during open hours
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Conduct
administrative tasks such as correspondence
or creating packets for educators
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(optional)
Participate in outreach opportunities
that may arise to communicate Discovery
Room offerings to educators in the Washington,
DC area
|
QUALIFICATIONS:
Seeking an undergraduate or graduate student who has completed
coursework or currently enrolled in courses in museum
studies or museum education and has a background in science.
A successful intern will come to the program with clear
goals, an eagerness to learn, the flexibility to work
in a large institution, excellent organizational skills;
good communication skills; ability and interest in working
with the public in an education setting with families
and students in grades K-8th grade. Interns are supervised
by the Manager of the Discovery Room, but work in a team
environment with other staff, volunteers and interns.