PROJECT
TITLE:
Digitization
of excavation quarry maps
from California and Chile
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The intern will assist in
processing paper quarry
map data from two different
excavations of fossil marine
mammals: one, conducted
recently in Chile (2010-2011)
by Smithsonian and Chilean
scientists; and one from
California (1994) by the
San Diego Natural History
Museum. The goal is to digitize
these maps, especially all
of the bones and their orientations,
using drawing tablets and
associated software. Subsequent
analyses will focus on using
Rose diagrams and abundance
metrics to understand the
taphonomy and paleoecology
of these localities.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience with graphics
tablets (e.g., WACOM-brand,
etc) and Adobe CS platforms
(i.e., Illustrator and Photoshop)
preferred, but not necessary.
Candidate can be trained
with minimal time; an aptitude
for troubleshooting and
quickly learning new software
and hardware is key.
CONTACT
Name:
Nick Pyenson
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Phone:
202-633-1366
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E-mail:
pyensonn@si.edu
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Digitization
of fossil whales from Chile
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The intern(s) will process
a large volume of digital
datasets collected in November,
2011, from an emergency
salvage expedition jointly
organized between the Smithsonian
and collaborating Chilean
institutions. In 2010, a
road construction company
expanding the Pan-American
Highway uncovered a putative
mass death assemblage of
fossil marine mammals that
are likely Pliocene (~5-3
million years old) in age.
Further study shows that
this new site is dominated
by complete skeletons of
large baleen whales (n >35),
and other fossil marine
mammals. With funding from
the National Geographic
Society, Smithsonian scientists
and staff from the 3D Digitization
Program Office conducted
both long-range and high-resolution
laser scans of the remaining
fossil material, for archiving
and scientific study. A
variety of 3D digitization
projects may also supplement
work on Chilean fossil marine
mammal data set. The specific
work of the project involves
using software to process
3D scanned data for end
use in research or public
access online and in museums.
Additional duties could
include operating 3D scanning
equipment, object handling
and processing 3D data for
other projects. The main
duty station will be at
SI building facilities in
Landover, Maryland, between
the Landover and New Carrolton
Metro stations. Work may
occasionally take place
downtown at the National
Museum of Natural History
or other Smithsonian museums.
A shuttle system will be
available for daily or occasional
commute between museums
and Landover facility.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience with 3D CAD,
sculpting, animating and
rendering. 3D software experience
might include 3D Studio
Max, Maya, Zbrush, AutoCAD,
Rhino etc. Experience with
professional photo and video
equipment and software is
also of interest. An aptitude
for troubleshooting and
quickly learning new software
and hardware is key.
CONTACT
Name:
Nick Pyenson
|
Phone:
202-633-1366
|
E-mail:
pyensonn@si.edu
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PROJECT
TITLE:
The
Field Book Project: Imaging
Original Expedition Notes
and Journals
Application
CLOSED * All slots filled
No longer accepting new
applications for this project
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Field Book Project is
seeking an intern to work
with the primary source
field book collections in
the Department of Botany.
The Field Book Project is
a collaborative initiative
between the Smithsonian
Institution Archives and
National Museum of Natural
History and works to improve
access to primary source
field notes, expedition
journals, photographs, and
other materials documenting
field work for scientific
research and discovery.
The field book collection
spans more than 150 years
of scientific field work
and contains manuscripts
and other materials that
document information on
specimen collections that
may not be available on
the specimen labels or in
published literature. Interns
will reproduce original
works in digital format
for a myriad of imaging
products.
QUALIFICATIONS:
The intern must be able
to handle delicate manuscripts
carefully, should have a
healthy respect for historic
collections, and should
be interested in learning
about best practices and
techniques for digital imaging
in an archival repository.
Attention to detail for
quality control purposes
is a must.Any previous experience
with digitization and/or
knowledge of digital image
file formats, settings,
embedded metadata and naming
conventions should be mentioned
in the application.
CONTACT
Name:
Carolyn Sheffield
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Phone:
202-633-0902
|
E-mail:
sheffieldc@si.edu
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PROJECT
TITLE:
General
Collections Management -
Mammals
Application
CLOSED * All slots filled
No longer accepting new
applications for this project
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
Interns will assist staff
in cleaning and numbering
mammals skeletons, returning
trays of study skins to
collections storage, organizing
jars of fluid-stored (70%
ETOH) mammal specimens,
and a variety of other collections
management tasks. This internship
provides an opportunity
for students to join collections
management staff in their
normal day-to-day activities.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Interest in museums and
ability to work with mammal
specimens.
CONTACT
Name:
Darrin Lunde
|
Phone:
202-633-1253
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E-mail:
lunded@si.edu
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Linking
Conservation and Rodent-borne
Diseases in East Africa
Application
CLOSED * All slots filled
No longer accepting new
applications for this project
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The project tasks include
sorting and photographing
mammal specimens in the
collections and subsampling
tissues from these for disease
analysis, as well as as
various other tasks related
to research linking conservation
and rodent-borne diseases
in East Africa.
QUALIFICATIONS:
CONTACT
Name:
Hillary
Young
|
Phone:
202-633-1247
|
E-mail:
younghs@si.edu
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PROJECT
TITLE:
The 1846 Project
Application
CLOSED * All slots filled
No longer accepting new applications for this
project
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
How many NMNH publications? Sounds simple in
this information age, but we currently don't
know the answer to this basic question. We trace
our lineage back to the founding of the Smithsonian
in 1846, and are now on a quest to produce a
comprehensive list of all NMNH publications,
since our founding. Join us in the quest. Our
team of seven interns (one for each research
area: Anthropology, Botany, Entomology, Invertebrate
Zoology, Mineral Sciences, and Vertebrate Zoology)
will use their detective skills to search old
records (e.g. curator reports, Smithsonian annual
reports) for publication lists and names of
staff and collaborators; interview staff to
tap their memories; employ technology to create,
update, and use look up tables to match names;
and finally help us answer the question everybody
has been asking - how many NMNH publications?
QUALIFICATIONS:
Good library search skills; knowledge of Access
and Excel, especially use of look up tables;
interest in archival materials and data.
CONTACT
Name:
Paul Kimberly
|
Phone:
202-633-1854
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E-mail:
kimberlyp@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Web and New Media: Linking
our Academic Community
Application
CLOSED * All slots filled
No longer accepting new applications for this
project
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
Join the team to help transform our academic
services web pages (including this one) to better
serve our interns, fellows, and museum community.
Using already existing templates, help us decide
how to present content and what to include,
participate in selecting the best images and
graphics that relate to students, and suggest
new features to add so as to enhance the internship
and fellowship online experience. Intern(s)
will apply their current web and social media
skills as well as learn new techniques for sharing
information online. Web page content is all
about our intern and fellow community so participation
in a variety of activities and events as well
as interacting with other interns and fellows
is also part of the project.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Training available but knowledge of HTML, CSS,
JavaScript, image manipulation software such
as Adobe Photoshop and web development tools
such as Dreamweaver are helpful. Familiar with
web and new media and a background in natural
history science also a plus.
CONTACT
Name:
Mary Sangrey
|
Phone:
202-633-4548
|
E-mail:
sangreym@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
New Media and Video Podcasting
Application
CLOSED * All slots filled
No longer accepting new applications for this
project
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The NMNH has embarked on a podcasting series
focused on science communication about our Museum.
This project seeks to bring in multimedia-savvy
students to create both audio and video media
for distribution online. Aspects include: reviewing
project scope, content, and footage; videotaping
scientific lectures, live events, and interviews
(possibly during evenings or weekends); producing
edited podcasts in Final Cut Pro; taking still
photographs; transporting and setting up multimedia
equipment for video shoots; transcoding and
uploading media projects to various online platforms;
transcribing video for the creation of closed
captions; and working with NMNH curators and
scientists.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants should have experience in cinematography,
new media technology, and have a background
in Final Cut Pro. Experience in a science-related
field also a plus.
CONTACT
Name:
Katie Velazco
|
Phone:
202-633-1100
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E-mail:
velazcok@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Conservation of Bureau of
Land Management's Botanical Voucher Collection
Application
CLOSED * All slots filled
No longer accepting new applications for this
project
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
Gain experience in proper botanical collection
techniques, botanical taxonomic identification,
herbarium organization and conservation practices,
and appropriate record keeping by joining the
team to inventory and collect seed from all
the threatened and endangered plants within
the United States. NMNH has been designated
by congress to be the national depository for
all collections made in federal parks and on
federally managed lands. As a result, all botanical
collections made within these areas must be
housed in the United States National Herbarium
at NMNH. Beginning with the new millennium a
consortium of botanical gardens, museums, universities,
and the United States Bureau of Land Management
started a project to inventory and collect seed
from all the threatened and endangered plants
within the United States. This seed will then
be housed in a seed bank, propagated, and made
available to federal agencies and private landowners
for restoration and remediation projects throughout
the country.
QUALIFICATIONS:
All applicants should be physically fit and
able to stand on their feet for long periods
of time. The nature of the work involved can
be somewhat repetitive so the applicant should
have great attention to detail and the ability
to work independently
CONTACT
Name:
Andrew P. Clark
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Phone:
202-633-0938
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E-mail:
clarkap@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:
CONTACT
Name:
Gary Krupnick
|
Phone:
202-633-0940
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E-mail:
krupnickg@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Freshwater
mussels from eastern North America
Application
CLOSED * All slots filled
No longer accepting new applications for this
project
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The intern will assist with processing of a
recently acquired alcohol-preserved collection
of freshwater mussels from eastern North America.
This is a tremendously important collection
because it contains many lots (samples) of beautifully
prepared specimens that are currently threatened
or endangered. Work will include reconciling
field labels with separately provided detailed
data sheets, databasing of the entire collection,
re-housing specimens into appropriate containers
when needed, and sorting of mixed lots (as time
permits). Work will be performed at the Museum
Support Center in Suitland, Maryland.
QUALIFICATIONS:
The intern must have some familiarity with zoology
(based on coursework) and an interest in learning
about museum collections work. Facility with
Excel is required.
CONTACT
Name:
Robert Hershler
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Phone:
202-633-1747
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E-mail:
hershlerr@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Collections care and conservation
of the Springer Collection (fossil Echinodermata)
Application
CLOSED * All slots filled
No longer accepting new applications for this
project
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Springer Collection of fossil echinoderms
is the largest repository of fossils crinoids
in the world. This important scientific and
historic collection originated from a donation
by Frank Springer in 1911 of his fossil echinoderm
collection. The team of interns will inventory,
clean, and reorganize the Springer Collection
and Library, including: conducting drawer-level
inventory of non-type specimens in Springer
Room (cataloging and cleaning where appropriate),
providing written recommendations for rehousing
and conservation priorities of non-type collections
based on the inventory, cleaning and conserving
specimen slabs and associated labels and clean
and preliminarily conserving selected library
material
QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants should be detail oriented, able to
handle delicate specimens and library material
with care, and stay focused on repetitive work.
CONTACT
Name:
Kathy Hollis
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Phone:
202-633-1357
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E-mail:
hollisk@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Tracking Visitor Experiences
in NMNH Public Spaces
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
Interns will interact directly with the NMNH
public visitors and will play a key role in
developing a key performance indicator dashboard
within a SharePoint environment. These duties
include visitation analysis, visitor outreach,
welcoming, and tracking & evaluation. In
addition the intern(s) will assist with a visitor
tracking study including reviewing raw data
of past years, looking for significant findings
and drafting conclusions of possible affects
on annual visitor traffic. Other duties may
include conducting surveys of the museum's 700+
volunteers. Interns may also conduct research
into what will have a meaningful impact on the
museum's one-year marketing strategy for the
museum's Butterfly Pavilion.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Background in professional writing; research
skills, including regression analysis; marketing
interest or experience; ability to multi-task;
minimum 20 hours a week avalibility
CONTACT
Name:
Samir Bitar
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Phone:
202-633-3515
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E-mail:
bitars@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Cataloging and Digitizing
the Sant Ocean Hall models and artifacts
Application
CLOSED * All slots filled
No longer accepting new applications for this
project
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
The Sant Ocean Hall is a one of a kind exhibit,
holding 674 marine specimens, models and artifacts
that help visitors explore the ocean's past,
present and future. In this 23,000-square-foot
exhibition, visitors see a sampling of the museum's
unparalleled marine collection, the largest
marine collection in the world, with more than
80 million specimens. Interns will develop a
database and find guide to each of the specimens
on display. Having a digital, web-based and
searchable database of all artifacts and models
will greatly enhance the visitor experience
to the exhibit, both on-site and on-line.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants should be detail oriented, have knowledge
of Excel. Familiar with web and new media and
a background in natural history science also
a plus. This internship would be good for students
in Museum Studies, Library Science, and Biology.
CONTACT
Name:
Catherine Sutera
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Phone:
202-633-0080
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E-mail:
suterac@si.edu |
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PROJECT
TITLE:
Encyclopedia of Life
Application
CLOSED * All slots filled
No longer accepting new applications for this
project
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION:
Would you like to contribute to the Encylopedia
of Life (EOL)? We need scientific names
marked up in an XML format for the many different
species that we are preparing to add to new
and existing EOL pages. These names and images
were prepared in the late 19th-early 20th century
for a rare work that will provide the only information
and images for many species on the Web. An example
of one of these contributions is this beetle.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Basic text editing experience, ability to focus
and pay great attention to detail.
CONTACT
Name:
Anna Weitzman
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Phone:
202-633-0846
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E-mail:
Weitzman@si.edu |
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