Alternative Spring Break Program

Updated: 7 January 2013

National Museum of Natural History
Spring Break Internship Program

Projects  |  Logistics

The Alternative Spring Break Program (ABS) provides college-level undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to join week-long projects in a wide variety of professional settings throughout the NMNH community. The goal is to place interested and motivated undergraduate and graduate students, during the week of their spring break, in a professional work environment at the National Museum of Natural History where they can...

  • gain practical experience by working in a professional Museum setting
  • develop new skills by learning from NMNH professionals
  • provide a service to the organization by contributing their time and talents
  • create professional partnerships
  • pursue their fields of interest related, or not, to their current profession

Please note: No financial assistance, housing, or travel are provided as part of this opportunity. Students are responsible for making their own arrangements.

Discover more about serving an academic appointment at NMNH and join in conversation, news and events by visiting our Facebook page and joining the "ARC" group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7307446629 

Spring Break Project List


This page has moved. Please go to:

http://www.mnh.si.edu/academics/internship_projects.cfm?listing=spring

Logistics Questions

How do you apply for the Alternative Spring Break Program?

Students interested in participating in the ABS should contact (e-mail) the person listed as the "Contact" for the project they are most interested in working on. Include in your e-mail the name of the project you're interested in, the dates of your spring break, and your academic background including any experience relevant to the project selected.


How will students be selected?

Students selected for participation will receive a confirmation e-mail from the project Staff Sponsor.


How many students will be selected?

We will make every effort to host as many students as staff can affectively work with.


Where will students report on the first day of the week? Do you have advice or directions for how to get there?

Students selected for participation will report to the National Museum of Natural History (10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW) Constitution Avenue Lobby. Have a security officer call Mary Sangrey (633-4548) who will meet the group in the lobby.


What time should students arrive on the first day? And what will be their regular working hours?

Monday at 9:00 a.m. is preferred arrival. Regular work hours are 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.


After selected and reporting for the first day, whom should students ask for?

Mary Sangrey, phone: 202-633-4548. Students will be directed to their Staff Sponsor after registration is completed. Registration generally takes about one hour and inculdes issue of a Smithsonian identification credential.


What sort of attire should students wear throughout the week?

Work dress is casual attire. Clothing easy to work in is best.


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