LSAMP at the Smithsonian

LSAMP '01 Winter Workshop
7 - 12 January 2001

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*  *  *    WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT    *  *  * Announcing the LSAMP at the Smithsonian '01 Winter Workshop Scientific Partners: Joining the Smithsonian Community

at the Smithsonian

Scientific Partners:
Joining the Smithsonian Community

In partnership with the National Science Foundation's Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program, the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. hosted a one-week winter workshop January 7-12, 2001 featuring the theme: "Scientific Partners: joining the Smithsonian community."

 All LSAMP Centers were invited to apply for participation in the workshop.

Following an application and review process, 20 LSAMP Centers were selected to send their team nomination, made up of one student and one administrative representative, to the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. for an all-expense-paid opportunity to participate in a special week-long workshop designed to "open the doors" of natural history research and careers to LSAMP scholars.

During the workshop, freshman and sophomore level LSAMP student scholars from across the country participated in a short course focused on giving beginning level undergraduates insight and experience into natural history research: what it is, how it is conducted, and what careers are available in the field.

LSAMP Center representatives worked directly with NMNH scientific staff learning how to facilitate placement of LSAMP students in Smithsonian-sponsored research opportunities including internships, field research assistance positions, co-sponsored graduate fellowships, employment opportunities at the Smithsonian and careers in the natural history disciplines.

Workshop participants joined Smithsonian scientists in the on-going research activities of the NMNH.  Each participant was paired with a NMNH scientific mentor to learn first hand about his or her research and career.

In addition, the workshop curriculum included formal and informal lectures and discussions, behind-the-scenes tours of many Smithsonian facilities, hands-on workshops and demonstrations, and special experiences designed to complement research topics. Through an interactive series of discussions and workshops, students and center representatives also participated in unprecedented planning sessions with Smithsonian administrative and scientific staff.  These sessions focused on developing an institutional plan for the NMNH to lead the nation in its support of minority students working to achieve careers in natural history disciplines.

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