Teachers

• 1. Check Requirements
• 2. Select a Research Project
• 3. Prepare an Essay
• 4. Prepare a Resume
• 5. Secure Principal's Reference
• 6. Selection Process

• 1. Prepare and submit a letter of recommendation.

Research Experiences for Teachers
Additional Information for Teacher Participants
2002

1 July 2002 - 2 August 2002

A total of 7 teachers are anticipated to participate in the '02 session of the Research Experiences for Teachers Program.

Following are some notes especially for teachers selected to participate in the '02 RET. Much of the information has already been provided though e-mail and mailings. However, we'll continue to post new information as questions arise.

What is the first day like?

We will hold RTP and RET orientation on Monday, the Memorial Day Holiday - yes, that's right!

Although the rest of the Smithsonian staff will have the day off, we host orientation while everybody else is at home so we can take our time, give you a chance to explore the building, and answer your questions before things get too busy.

To officially register, report to the Smithsonian's Natural History building Monday, 27 May 2002.

Enter the building through the Constitution Avenue entrance (10th Street and Constitution Avenue NW).

We will be expecting you at 8:45 a.m.

Please be prompt! We can not proceed until everyone is present.

Because the museum does not open to the public until 10:00 a.m., you must meet the guard at the door at 8:45 a.m. so you can be issued a visitors badge.

This badge will allow you temporary (one day only) admittance into the research sections of the building.

To begin your authorization into the building, please sign the guard's registry. They will have a listing that includes your name and will ask that you exchange a photo ID for a temporary badge.

At 9:00 a.m. you will be escorted to the Academic Resources Room where the registration meeting will take place.

During our meeting we will take some time to get to know each other, answer questions, and if needed, solve any problems that may have come up.

How do I get to the Natural History Building?

You will be responsible for the daily commuting cost to and from the Smithsonian, traveling by whatever means is most appropriate for you. Please note that there is no parking at the facility available for your use so plan on utilizing public transportation.

Where will I be stationed?

All '02 RET participants will be located in Smithsonian's Natural History Building.

The building is located on the National Mall between the U.S. Capitol and Washington Monument. The street address is 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W. For those of you who know the different Smithsonian buildings, Natural History is "the one with the elephant" in the lobby on the mall side.

Will there be a computer available for my use?

At your office work station, we have requested that advisors make arrangements for you to have access to a computer.

However, not all research advisors have an extra computer for intern use so we have reserved seven (7) common use computers to be shared by all NMNH academic appointments including three (3) computers located in the Academic Resources Room and four (4) Academic Services office locations with computers available by reservation on an hourly, first come basis.

What should I wear at the Smithsonian?

Dress at the Smithsonian is informal. Casual clothing that is easy to work in is best (yes, blue jeans are fine!).

Keep in mind that Washington summers tend to be very hot and humid but the collection areas are maintained at cool temperatures to preserve the specimens so you may want to include a sweater or long sleeve shirt in your packing.

What are the typical work hours?

Although work hours vary for different individuals, you are expected to be in attendance for eight hours each day, Monday through Friday.

Your research team may require a special schedule but for the most part, people are here for the official hours of 8:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.

We will expect you here during the core period of 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

You are always welcome to come earlier and/or work later (including weekends) on Program activities or other projects that interest you.

As an official associate of the National Museum of Natural History, you will be given the privilege of unlimited access to the Museum which includes 24 hour access, seven days a week.

What can I expect from the RET curriculum?

Through participation in the RET Program, and with the guidance of a mentoring Smithsonian science advisor, you will learn how to design a research project, how to develop the protocol to test your research question, and how to communicate your results through oral and written presentation.

However, the research project is only one aspect of the program. The RET schedule of events will parallel the RTP curriculum and include many of the same activities.

We incorporate into the five-week program a rigorous schedule of required lectures, discussions, workshops and tours to share insights into the research efforts of our professional staff and to highlight how to use, learn from, manage, and maintain the 124 million specimens of the NMNH including the great variety of ways museum collections can contribute to solving multi-discipline research questions.

Like learning to unlock the wealth of information available from a library, you will learn about the research and collections of anthropology, botany, entomology, geology, invertebrate zoology, mineral sciences, paleobiology, and vertebrate zoology.

In addition to the formal program there will be a lot going on this summer at the Smithsonian and in Washington, DC.

How is the curriculum structured?

The RET is based on a weekly schedule of project time and program events. Out of the standard five working days per week, at least three full days are designated as "research days" (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) and two half days (Monday and Friday) are reserved for learning collections procedures, attending lectures, participating in tours, and laboratory demonstrations. Each Wednesday there will be a disucssion during lunch to review interesting topics in an open, discussion style, format.

In general, there will be two lectures/discussions per week during the first half of the program and all teachers are required to attend and participate.

If you would like to learn about a specific Smithsonian curator's research or have an interest in a particular topic, please let us know and we will try to accommodate your request.

What are the teacher requirements as part of the curriculum?

Each RET participant will be responsible for hosting at least one of the curriculum events - more details about this will be available at a later time.

As part of the lecture series, at the close of the Program, you are required to join a scientific poster presentation session. Here you will display your research in "poster format" and this will also be presented on the web.

And, we hope you take the initiative to publish the results of your research in a scientific publication.

Assistance and advice for your presentations and publication are available to you from your Project Advisor. Please take advantage of their expertise from the very beginning.

Should I contact my research advisor before arriving?

Yes! We encourage you to contact your advisor ASAP to define and refine your project hypothesis and to design the research protocol.

To ensure that all supplies and equipment are available, and to conserve precious time, we strongly suggest that you and your advisor (through e-mail and telephone contact) have your project well thought out at least three weeks prior to your arrival.

A description of the project your advisor is proposing is posted at our web site. However, we encourage you and your advisor to coordinate efforts to design a research investigation that incorporates your classroom goals with your advisor's current projects.

What can I do to prepare for my research project before the RET begins?

We suggest that you begin to prepare for your project prior to your arrival by asking your advisor to explain the research topic in detail including the techniques which will be used, the types of laboratory facilities and equipment available, and how this specific project fits into their "overall" research program.

You may also consider asking your advisor to provide background readings and inquire about other things you can do to prepare before you arrive in DC.

The five weeks will go by very quickly and with all the other RET activities there are only about 15 days of actual research time.

From "day one" you will need to be efficient in your use of time to glean all the benefits from your association with the Smithsonian.

What does the award package include?

We are still working out the details. Please continue to check this web site for further updates.

However, we do know that final payment will not be released until all Program requirements have been met - don't say we didn't warn you!

Is my stipend considered taxable income and how will this be managed?

Your award is taxable income and must be reported to the IRS.

Payment of US tax is the personal obligation of each awardee, and all funds provided under this appointment may be subject to tax.

In general, taxes are not withheld from awards made to US citizens, permanent residents, or those considered to be US residents for tax purposes.

During registration you will receive important documents and guidance about how to claim your award. Please contact the Smithsonian Office of Fellowships (OF) (phone: 202-275-0655) directly if you have questions about this or would like further information about the classification of your award.

More about how your award is managed as far as TAXES - this is important!

You will be awarded an internship appointment, not employed position. Therefore, you will not receive a tax form W2.

Smithsonian's Office of Fellowships (OF) will send a very informal Financial Statement of Income to all fellowship and internship appointments. These will be sent sometime after the first of the year.

Please remember that this statement is not an attachment to your tax form 1040/1040EZ form.

The Smithsonian Institution, as the grantor of your award, does not have to report your earnings to the IRS.

The grantee, you, are responsible for reporting this award on your tax form.

What are the "terms" of participation?

The National Museum of Natural History Research Experiences for Teachers Program operates under a specific set of guidelines. As a participant, you will be expected to observe these guidelines to successfully graduate from the Program.

• Participant will be in residence and adhere to the prearranged Program dates beginning 1 July 2002 and ending 2 August 2002 and including several days prior for orientation and after, for reporting. Total participation includes 28 days of participation, unless otherwise noted and approved, in writing, by the Project Advisor and the Program Director.

• Participant will be in attendance for the official hours of 8:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday unless otherwise directed by the Project Advisor and approved, in writing, by the Program Director.

• Participant will attend, and participate in, all scheduled Program events including meetings, lectures, discussions, and tours. A written, valid and approved, excuse must be provided for any absences or tardiness.
  

• Participant will adhere to all museum and/or collections regulations and procedures including safety and security.*
  

• Participant will conduct the research project in accordance with the sequence of priorities outlined by the Project Advisor and approved by the Program Director.

• Participant will follow proper procedure for registration and exit. This includes paying outstanding debts owed to the Smithsonian (such as photocopy and fax charges, lost or damaged materials, etc.), cleaning the work space and desk area, returning all borrowed materials, completing appropriate information and evaluation forms, participating in exit clearance meetings, and leaving the project (and any additional projects such as the "workshop", etc.) in a "completed" condition. If the project can not be completed during the five-week Program, the participant must have permission from the Project Advisor to abandon or continue the project. However, clear information about the status and condition of abandoned or continuing projects must be provided prior to exit.
  

• Participant will compensate for lost time due to illness or other absence. Participants do not earn sick or annual leave privileges. If a participant must be absent from a Program activity, the participant must contact the Program Director within 2 hours of the missed activity. Project hours lost, regardless of cause, must be made up during the ten-week appointment (e.g. during evenings or weekends). Although it is understood that most lectures and discussions can not be repeated, participants who miss activities will be required to volunteer their services by participating in complementary activities equivalent to the lost activity. In the event of injury, serious or extended illness, the Program Director must be contacted immediately. Compensation for extended lost time may require partial or total forfeit of stipend or postponement or termination of Program participation.

* We especially remind all teachers participating in the Research Experiences for Teachers Program that the collections must remain very secure areas. Visitors and guests are not welcome "behind-the-scenes" without prior approval. Through participation in this Program you will be shown many valuable, fragile and scientifically important collections. Although we understand your excitement and desire to share these discoveries, visitors and guests (including yourself) must contact the collections manager for prior approval before entering any area outside of your own responsibility.

DURATION: 5 weeks

DATES: 1 July 2002 to 2 August 2002: In-session
27 & 28 May 2002: Registration and Orientation

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 26 March 2002

POSITIONS AVAILABLE: 7 positions.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Applicants must be currently employed middle school or high school teachers returning next year to a classroom setting as a full-time teacher.
• Applicants selected to join the Smithsonian program must commit to participation in the full 5 week program.

AWARD PACKAGE: Although contingent upon securing funding to support the initiative, we are following the JHU model and therefore anticipate providing teachers selected to participate in the program a stipend of $200 per day covering the 28 days of the session - totaling $5,600. In addition, an award of $250 per teacher will be available to purchase classroom supplies so as to enhance classroom learning in association with the research topic.