STAFF
Richard
Thorington, Program Director
Mary
Sangrey, Program Coordinator
Dena
Smith, Program Assistant
The
RTP Steering Committee
W. John Kress
Conrad Labandeira
Jon Norenburg
Sorena Sorensen
PLANNING THE SESSION
Preliminary
preparations for the 1996 Research Training
Program (RTP) began in October, 1994, with
the decision to change the recruitment poster
design and RTP logo. The 1995 design prepared
by Mary Parrish, scientific illustrator
in the Department of Paleobiology, which
represented the theme of "human interpretation
of global diversity and change" using
half-tone pencil sketches proved too medically
oriented for the casual observer resulting
in numerous information and application
requests from health care professionals.
The RTP Steering Committee unanimously voted
to return to a biodiversity habitat logo,
designed by Botany Scientific Illustrator
Alice Tangerini. The new design needed
to accurately represent all the NMNH disciplines
and be easily reproducible in different
media. A North American wetland habitat
was selected as the theme.
The application packet, designed and approved
for the 1994 Program, was determined sufficient
to accurately represent the 1996 RTP without
revision. Information packets for the 1996
program were distributed beginning 2 February
1995. The project advisor section was revised
(adding 34 new listings) in September and
available in October 1995.
A new Program structure took form in September,
1995, when Richard W. Thorington, Jr., Curator
of Mammals in the Department of Vertebrate
Zoology, officially assumed the Program
Directorship from Paula DePriest, Associate
Curator in the Department of Botany. Dr.
DePriest served less than one year as Director
of the RTP. The RTP Steering Committee (W.
John Kress, Conrad Labandeira, Jon Norenburg,
and Sorena Sorensen) was retained and Mary
Sangrey remained as Program Coordinator.
PROGRAM
ADVERTISEMENT
The NMNH, with no resident undergraduates,
must recruit all program participants from
outside the institution. Each year advertisement
posters are mailed to over 7,300
universities and institutions, with specific
emphasis on small institutions and minority
colleges. The list includes target minority
institutions identified by the Smithsonian
Institution Office of Fellowships and Grants,
the American Indian Higher Education Consortium,
the Beta Kappa Chi Membership list, the
National Institute of Science list of historically
Black colleges, and the American Association
for the Advancement of Science list of Black
and Hispanic colleges and universities.
The recruitment poster, and its redesigned
illustration of biological diversity in
a wetlands ecosystem, served as the 1996
RTP logo.
With the help of the 1995 program participants,
who volunteered complete responsibility
for the task, all 1996 advertisement posters
were distributed to colleges and universities
in the U.S. and abroad before 1 August 1995.
To make the job enjoyable, a "Poster
Stuffing Pizza Party" was organized
by Jeff Lake the evening of Monday,
19 June 1995 from 5:00 - 8:30 p.m. During
the event more than 7,300 posters were prepared
for distribution, inserted into mailing
envelopes, and delivered to the mail room!
And, a total of 16 large "Little Caesars"
pizzas and four cases of soda were also
delivered and devoured before the close
of the evening.
The 1996 recruitment poster design included
a postage paid, peel-off application request
card; interested students detach one of
the cards, fill in the name and address,
and mail it to the program address. Upon
receipt of each card, an application packet
was mailed promptly to the requester. The
application packet included program information,
a application form, letter of recommendation
forms, and lists of potential research advisors
and their research interests. Information
requests were also received via personal
communication, phone, fax, and electronically
through Internet e-mail.
APPLICANT
POOL
For the 1996 summer session, more than 15,000
requests were received for information packets,
resulting in 445
applications. The 1996 applicant pool of
445 reflects a slight (10%) increase from
the 403 applications received in 1995.
The 1996 applicant pool included representatives
from 43 of the 50 US states and from 45
foreign countries including: Argentina (2),
Australia (2), Bolivia (1), Brazil (5),
Bulgaria (3), Cameroon (1), Canada (27),
China (7), Colombia (5), Cuba (1), Czechoslovakia
(1), Dominican Republic (1), Ecuador (1),
England (1), Estonia (1), Ethiopia (1),
Fiji (1), France (1), Germany (1), Ghana
(1), Greece (1), Hungary (1), India (5),
Ireland (2), Italy (3), Jamaica (2), Kenya
(5), Lithuania (1), Mexico (15), Mozambique
(1), Nigeria (2), Paraguay (2), Peru (12),
Philippines (1), Russia (6), Slovakia (2),
Somalia (1), South Korea (1), Spain (1),
Taiwan (1), Tanzania (1), Turkey (1), Ukraine
(1), Venezuela (3), and Yugoslavia (4).
A total of 139 (31%) foreign students applied
for the 1996 Program.
The 43 states represented in the applicant
pool for 1996 were: Alabama (2), Arizona
(9), California (22), Colorado (5), Connecticut
(7), District of Columbia (4), Florida (10),
Georgia (3), Iowa (1), Idaho (2), Illinois
(7), Kansas (2), Kentucky (1), Louisiana
(6), Massachusetts (15), Maryland (8), Maine
(3), Michigan (7), Minnesota (1), Missouri
(3), Mississippi (1), Montana (1), North
Carolina (24), Nebraska (1), New Hampshire
(2), New Jersey (3), New Mexico (3), New
York (21), Ohio (11), Oklahoma (2), Oregon
(4), Pennsylvania (10), Puerto Rico (5),
South Carolina (3), South Dakota (1), Tennessee
(4), Texas (14), Utah (1), Virginia (23),
Vermont (3), Washington (10), Wisconsin
(5), West Virginia (2), Wyoming (1).
A total of 306 (69%) US. citizens applied
for participation but only 273 declared
their state residence.
Of the 445 applications submitted in time
for consideration for the 1996 Program,
313 (70%) applicants responded to the survey
question: "Do you consider yourself
handicapped or of minority status?"
Of those that answered, 45 (14%) responded
"yes" (thereby indicating that
they considered themselves handicapped or
of minority status). This survey further
identified six general groupings for the
45 respondents: African American (5), Asian
American (20), Disabled (3), Hispanic (13),
Native American (1) and "Other"
(3). The applicant pool included 269 women
(61%).
PARTICIPANT SELECTION
The application deadline for the 1996 Research
Training Program was 1 February 1996. Once
received, applications were registered for
review or forwarded to other Smithsonian
offices for appropriate placement (as post-doctoral
fellows, visiting scientists, short-term
visitors, or high school interns). The selection
of 1996 RTP participants followed a seven
step process: 1. prescreening, 2. application
scoring, 3. application pool evaluation,
4. review by project advisors, 5. final
selection, 6. project advisor approval,
and 7. applicant notification.
Due to the number of applications received
(445) the 1996 participant selection began
with a pre-screening of all applicant files.
Only those applications appropriate for
a position in the program were forwarded
for further evaluation (264), the other
(181) applications were eliminated from
consideration.
The 264 applications were then scored and
ranked by a Scoring Committee.
The 50 top scoring applications were then
evaluated to ensure that there was adequate
representation across divisions and disciplines
in the finalist set.
Next, project advisors had the opportunity
to review the entire applicant pool and
provide input about individual applications
including nominating a additional applicant
for consideration.
A set of 61 finalists (the 50 top scoring
applications plus 11 additions) were selected
for critical review by the Final Selection
Committee.
The committee identified 27 potential participants
and 8 alternates. Project advisors were
consulted about the committee decisions
including the participants selected and
the advisor assignments.
The list of 1996 program participants and
project advisor assignments was finalized
5 March 1996 and accepted applicants contacted
by telephone. Notification of status was
mailed to all applicants on 8 March 1996.
SELECTION DETAIL
*
Pre-screening.
To narrow the applicant pool by eliminating
incomplete and unsuitable applications,
a pre-screening was conducted of all 445
application folders received for the 1996
summer session.
Serving on the pre-screening committee were:
Ronald Heyer (Curator in the Department
of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Reptiles
and Amphibians and former Director of the
Research Training Program) and Elizabeth
Zimmer (Curator in the Department of
Botany specializing in Molecular Systematics).
The pre-screening began 16 January 1996
and concluded 4 February 1996. Through this
process 181 (40%) applications were eliminated.
*
Scoring of Applications.
To further narrow the applicant pool, the
264 semi-finalist applications were scored
and ranked by a Scoring Committee made up
of 12 members from the NMNH scientific staff
who had previously been involved, or who
had an interest in, the RTP. Committee representatives
were selected from all NMNH research departments.
Serving on the 1996 Scoring Committee: representing
Anthropology Bruce Smith, representing
Botany Stanwyn Shetler and Dieter
Wasshausen, representing Entomology
Ronald McGinley and Paul Spangler,
representing Invertebrate Zoology Stephen
Cairns and C. W. Hart, representing
Mineral Sciences Sorena Sorensen,
representing Paleobiology Brian Huber
and Scott Wing, and representing
Vertebrate Zoology . Richard Zusi
and Richard Vari.
A total of 264 applications were reviewed.
Applications were divided alphabetically
into six equal size review sets. Each review
set contained 44 applications. Each application
was scored by two different reviewers.
Review set Score team
#1 Smith & Wing
#2 Shetler & McGinley
#3 Cairns & Wasshausen
#4 Sorensen & Zusi
#5 Huber & Spangler
#6 Hart & Vari
Scorers completed a 100 point score sheet
for all applications in their review set.
Sets
were standardized to equalize scores. Using
the point totals, scores were normalized
by computer to achieve a average score of
75 and standard deviation of 10 for each
reviewer. If both reviewers agreed to "reject"
the application folder, and provided a "0"
score, the application was automatically
eliminated.
Of the 264 applications reviewed, the 50
highest scoring applications were identified
as the "Top 50" and thereby nominated
for forwarding to the final selection review.
*
Evaluation of Top 50 Scoring Applications.
To ensure proper representation across divisions
and disciplines in the finalist set, the
Top 50 scoring applications were evaluated
and compared using four categories: 1. research
discipline, 2. award restrictions and citizenship,
3. academic status, and 4. sex and minority
status. There were 445 applicants overall
and 61 positions available in the finalist
set.
*
Project Advisor Review.
Project advisors were not required to participate
in the selection of finalists however all
application materials and applicant status
was available for review and comment. Each
project advisor was provided a list of all
the applicants interested in working with
them including the "Top 50" applicants
identified by the Scoring Committee and
the 11 applicants identified in the applicant
pool evaluation as potential additions to
the finalist set.
A total of 11 positions were identified
as available additions to the finalist set
to complement placement options. Project
advisors were given the option to add one
application to the finalist set, not to
exceed a total of 61 finalists.
*
Final Selection Committee Review and Participant
Nomination.
The Final Selection Committee critically
reviewed 61 finalists and nominated 27 students
and 8 alternates for positions in the 1996
RTP. The committee also proposed student-advisor
teams for all 27 nominated participants
and 8 alternates.
Serving on the 1996 Final Selection Committee:
representing Anthropology Daniel Rogers,
representing Botany Dan Nicolson,
representing Entomology Wayne Mathis,
representing Invertebrate Zoology Robert
Hershler, representing Mineral Sciences
Michael Wise, representing Paleobiology
Conrad Labandeira, and representing
Vertebrate Zoology George Zug and
Richard Thorington.
Application folders were shared between
the members of the committee. To aid in
the evaluation and to ensure consistency
in judging the same score sheet and set
of standards used by the Scoring Committee
was used by the Final Selection Committee
to judge each finalist application. Sets
were standardized to equalize scores. Using
the point totals, scores were normalized
by computer to achieve a average score of
75 and standard deviation of 10 for each
review set.
Using
raw and transformed point totals from the
score sheets, and the reviewers personal
ranking of each applicant, a summary of
information was prepared and provided to
committee members for the final selection
meeting which was held 27 February 1996,
from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Botany
Library.
At this meeting the committee reviewed the
computer generated ranking of applicants
and provided personal input. All 61 finalists
were carefully considered and a discussion
of each application proceeded. Beginning
with the top ranked applicants, committee
members explained the reasons for their
scores followed by a discussion focusing
on the disparities in ranking between different
committee members.
A consensus was reached and the application
ranked and assigned a project advisor accordingly.
Final nomination of participants and assignment
of project advisors was based on the committee
ranking, preliminary recommendations of
the project advisors, and information provided
in the application form including a demonstrated
interest in natural sciences, stated career
goals, academic accomplishments, and letters
of recommendation.
When assigning project advisors, the committee
first considered the students' preference
as listed in their application form and
second considered the research expertise
of NMNH scientific staff which best paralleled
the students' goals and interests. In most
cases students were assigned one of their
top three choices. However, several students
were matched with advisors they did not
select and in some cases this included advisors
not listed in the published description
of potential advisors distributed to applicants.
* Project Advisor
Consultation.
Project advisors were notified of the committee's
nominations of student-advisor teams immediately
following the selection meeting. Advisors
were given until 4 March 1996 to accept
or decline the student selected to work
with them.
Of the 27 student-advisor teams proposed,
15 were confirmed without modification and
12 were rejected by the advisor. Alternate
teams were proposed. Of the 12 teams rejected,
10 students were successfully matched with
alternate advisors but 2 students nominated
by the Final Selection Committee for participation
in the 1996 session could not be matched
with an alternate advisor and therefore
not offered a position in the 1996 program.
One alternate student-advisor team was selected
to fill one of the two vacant slots, the
other slot remained unfilled at this stage
in the selection.
*
Applicant Notification.
The student-advisor teams were confirmed
and 26 accepted applicants contacted 5 March
1996. Over the phone interviews were conducted
of all foreign students nominated for a
position in the 1996 program to affirm English
fluency.
All 445 applicants were mailed notification
of status 8 March 1996.
The 419 students not offered a position
in the 1996 Research Training Program received
an invitation to volunteer their services
working with the NMNH collections management
staff on various collections associated
projects.
Accepted applicants had until 22 March 1996
to formally accept or decline participation
in the Program. Of the 26 positions offered,
2 applicants declined participation (Monica
Harrington and Mya Thompson).
Of the 7 remaining alternates identified
by the Final Selection Committee, 3 positions
were selected, student-advisor teams confirmed
and students contacted. Alternates had until
1 April 1996 to accept or decline participation
in the 1996 Program, all accepted.
A total of 27
positions were filled for the 1996 session.
COLLECTION VOLUNTEER
PROGRAM
Conceived in 1993, the Collection Volunteer
Program (CVP) provides opportunities for
applicants not accepted into the Research
Training Program to participate in the science
of the Smithsonian. Although CVP participants
are not awarded a research topic, volunteers
do contribute to the mission of the Museum,
are exposed to the vast collections housed
behind-the-scenes, and can meet and work
with the NMNH scientific staff. CVP volunteers
are invited to attend all regular Museum
activities including numerous lectures by
visiting scientists, seminars, and social
events. In addition, they are welcome at
most of the RTP lectures, discussions, field
trips, and workshops. The CVP requires volunteers
to commit to a minimum of 15 hours per week
for at least 3 weeks.
The NMNH Collection Managers voted via e-mail
to continue the opportunity in 1996 and
a brochure describing the CVP was prepared
and distributed (8 March 1996) to all applicants
not offered a position in the Research Training
Program. The brochures included a form to
indicate area of interest and proposed dates
of participation. Forms were returned to
the RTP Program Coordinator who then advertised
the availability of the volunteer to the
NMNH staff.
Twelve students responded. Eight (8)
students were selected to participated in
the CVP opportunity (Hiroyuki Bovee,
Jai Cole, Rocio Covarrubias,
Aimee Lemieux, Kathryn Nasser,
Matthew Sewell, Michelle Thomas,
and Katherine Woods) 4 students were
unable to attend (Tina Liu, Adam
Mouw, Edward Myrbeck, and Rachel
Tuznik).
SECOND SUMMER OPPORTUNITY
For the second consecutive year the Research
Training Program hosted the "Second
Summer Opportunity." Through the SSO
1995 RTP participants were invited back
to the NMNH to enhance their research project;
anticipating that a few additional weeks
of collaboration between the 1995 participants
and their advisors would result in the completion
of several manuscripts.
With the council of the RTP Steering Committee,
guidelines were established, an application
process designed, and 1995 RTP project advisors
and student participants contacted. Guidelines
included: 1) same project and same advisor,
2) advisor available for 50% of the student
in-residence time, 3) minimum time at the
NMNH of three weeks and maximum of ten weeks,
and 4) in-residence time must conform to
the 1996 RTP dates of 25 May - 2 August
1996.
After
establishing guidelines, 1995 RTP project
advisors were contacted to determine which
1995 projects were incomplete, if the 1995
advisor was available to host the same student
for a second summer given their travel and
time commitments during the period of 25
May 1996 - 4 August 1996, and, if the advisor
wanted to continue work on the 1995 project.
Using the list of potential student/advisor
teams identified by the advisors, students
were surveyed through personal phone calls
and e-mail to determine the potential number
of participants. Initially eleven 1995 RTP
participants were interested in the RTP-SSO.
A letter of notification advertising the
opportunity, including a packet of application
information, was sent to all 1995 RTP participants
1 April 1996. Students had until 15 April
1996 to reply to the SSO opportunity. The
RTP-SSO application process required a RTP-SSO
Application Form, a two page summary of
the current status of the 1995 research
project including proposed 1996 work and
protocol to be conducted during RTP-SSO
and signed approval of the 1995 project
advisor for the proposed research.
The RTP-SSO had limited funding and a number
of restrictions but we were pleased to be
able to offer the opportunity to all 1995
RTP students interested and available to
participate. Positions in the SSO were not
competitive.
All five (5)
student/advisor teams who applied and qualified
under the guidelines, were granted funding.
The SSO provided direct stipend support
for four student participants ($275 per
week, per student), housing (instead of
stipend) for one participant, and research
travel (TWA barter ticket) for three participants.
RTP-SSO participants were responsible for
arranging their own housing and transportation.
No funding was provided to student/advisor
teams for research supplies or program costs
through this grant.
All students in the 1996 RTP-SSO were participants
in the 1995 RTP program and returned to
complete different aspects of their 1995
RTP project.
- Tara Kirkpatrick spent 7 weeks
working with advisor Mike Wise investigating
the "Textural variation among lepidolite
bodies within the Stewart pegmatite, Pala,
California."
- Phil Gottshall spent 7 weeks working
with his project advisor Doug Erwin
re-evaluating the caldistic analysis of
the data from their prior year research.
- Gene Hunt spent 8 weeks working
with Ralph Chapman looking at "Three-dimensional
digitization and visualization of dinosaur
fossils." He received a matching grant
from the Dinosaur Society to support his
stipend and travel costs. In return the
RTP-SSO provided housing.
- Kara O'Connor spent 6 weeks working
with her advisor Bob Faden finishing
their research on the "Anatomical analysis
of Aneilema section Lamprodithyros and the
classification of Ballya." The RTP-SSO
stipend grant was matched by support from
the NMNH Department of Botany. The RTP-SSO
also awarded Kara an airline ticket through
the TWA barter so she could present the
results of their research at the American
Institute of Biological Sciences annual
meeting held in Seattle, WA.
- Scott Rufolo participated in field
research in Syria, the site of his 1995
research project. Through the TWA barter,
the RTP-SSO awarded Scott a round trip airline
ticket to the research site and 2 weeks
stipend to cover his in-residence costs
while at the NMNH. Matching funding for
in-country expenses was provided by a grant
from the National Science Foundation to
advisor Mindy Zeder.
NON-PROGRAM
PARTICIPANTS
Because the NMNH also hosts numerous other
undergraduate interns during the summer,
an opportunity was developed in 1995, under
the direction of former RTP Program Director
and Research Scientist in the Department
of Botany, Vicki Funk, to involve other
students in residence at the NMNH in RTP
activities.
Guidelines
for administering this opportunity were
developed and approved by the RTP Steering
Committee, 2 June 1995.
Through this opportunity, a few students
(generally 5, not to exceed 15) are selected
to serve as "Non-Program participants."
Selection of these students is be based
on a written recommendation provided by
the NMNH staff hosting the student. Non-Program
positions are granted according to priority
and assigned in the order which requests
are received. If the request is approved
by the Program Director and Program Coordinator,
and the RTP Steering Committee the student
may participate in the RTP as a "Non-Program
participant" although some limitations
apply. Following are the Non-Program participant
guidelines:
*
* * Non-Program participants should be at
the undergraduate level.
*
* * Registration of Non-Program participants
is the responsibility of the NMNH staff
host. Non-Program participants should be
registered with the Office of Museum Programs
as an "Intern" or registered through
the Behind-the-Scenes Program as a "volunteer."
Individuals working on contract for the
Smithsonian may be considered for this appointment
however Program participation may not conflict
with contracted hours. Smithsonian staff
may not be appointed to this position.
*
* * Prior to participating in any RTP events,
Non-Program participants must contact the
RTP Program Coordinator for a brief orientation
about the structure and content of the Program.
During this orientation, Non-Program participants
will receive a special copy of the RTP schedule
which highlights events that are available
to the Non-Program participant. Following
the orientation meeting but prior to participating
in the RTP, the Non-Program participant
will need to provide the RTP Program Coordinator
a list of events which they will be attending.
*
* * Non-Program participants will not attend
the RTP orientation sessions, are not required
to complete RTP information forms, and are
not required to prepare a mid-term and final
report. In addition, Non-Program participants
will not give a final presentation as part
of the RTP seminar and will not receive
the RTP Certificate of Participation.
*
* * Non-Program participants will have access
to RTP readings and e-mail groups.
*
* * One mailbox will be reserved specially
for Non-Program participants to receive
mail and messages.
*
* * Exit clearance of the Non-Program participant
is the responsibility of the NMNH staff
hosting the student.
Three (3)
students were selected for Non-Program Participant
status in the 1996 RTP. They were Javier
Blanco (working with David Furth in
the Department of Entomology), Lisa Lee
(working with Lisa Palmer in the Division
of Fishes), and Nathan Zorich (working
with Dr. Richard Vari in the Division of
Fishes).
RTP PROGRAM COMPONENTS
The Research Training Program philosophy
is that active experience in systematic
biology and natural history demonstrates
the excitement of scientific research and
encourages undergraduates to pursue careers
in these fields. To implement this philosophy
the RTP has developed an effective 10-week
curriculum involving both hands-on and observational
activities. Hands-on activities center on
an individual research project. Observational
activities include a series of lectures,
laboratory demonstrations, collections tours,
and field trips in which participants experience
the diversity of research and collection
activities carried out at the NMNH.
The ambitious 1996 schedule of activities
challenged participants to balance research
time and time spent participating in program
activities. There were 49 days (392 hours)
included in the summer session of the 1996
RTP with 31 days (251
hours) scheduled for project research (63%)
and 18 days (141
hours) reserved for the 71
scheduled RTP activities (37%).
Each participant in the RTP was assigned
an individual work space in their respective
department or laboratory. Specialized equipment,
such as microscopes needed for the research
project, was provided through the laboratories
and offices of the research scientists.
Microcomputers for data analysis and word
processing were available throughout the
departments and three laptop computers were
available for checkout from the RTP office.
Each participant was given an account on
the NMNH Vax computer system and a common
group account established for all RTP participants
(g.rtp). E-mail was the primary means of
communication between RTP participants and
staff. Schedule changes, announcements,
and information were posted at the RTP group
site.
The three major components of the 1996 Research
Training Program were:
1. The Research
Project. The critical element
of the Research Training Program is the
individual research project. With the guidance
of a research advisor, the 27 1996 RTP participants
developed an explicit hypothesis, designed
investigations to test this hypothesis,
gathered and analyzed data, and communicated
the results. The research project involved
participants as research collaborators in
all stages of a scientific study, and throughout
the project students were expected to provide
input and contribute original ideas.
Although study topics were delimited by
the specialties of the research advisor,
the program participant worked with the
advisor to articulate a specific hypothesis
that was examined. Participants devoted
three or more days per week to the research
project. The independence of the participants
in conducting the research projects varied
with the scientific maturity of the participant
and the nature of the project.
To insure an appropriate level of guidance,
the program staff monitored each project's
progress through a written hypothesis statement,
a written mid-term report and an advisor's
midpoint evaluation form. Advisors were
expected to interact with their Program
participant on a daily basis, especially
during the critical stages of project development
and data analysis.
At the conclusion of the Program participants
gave a 15-minute formal presentation on
the progress of their research and prepared
a final report in journal style. An average
of 45
members from the NMNH scientific community
attended the final presentations (high 59,
low 30). The research projects were designed
with the goal of publication; program participants
and research advisors were strongly encouraged
by the program staff to prepare and submit
these manuscripts for publication.
2. The Schedule
of Events. Complementing the
research project was a diverse schedule
of activities designed to present the broad
range of natural history research topics,
techniques, and resources.
The schedule included 18
lectures, 16
discussions, 11
demonstrations, 6
workshops, 18
tours, and 2
field trips for a total of 71
RTP scheduled activities plus 12
non-RTP scheduled highlight events.
Through a formal lecture series Smithsonian
staff provided personal instruction on the
concepts and methodologies used in natural
history research. Weekly discussions and
seminars were held to present topics in
a open format and to acquaint students with
the different types of job opportunities
available in natural history research. In
the laboratory, traditional and modern methods
of systematic research were demonstrated
and students were given the opportunity
to learn and experiment with these various
techniques. Workshops were offered on how
to prepare, use, and maintain museum specimens.
Behind-the-scene tours throughout the NMNH
were scheduled to broaden the participant's
biological, geological, and cultural perspective.
They emphasized an appreciation of the diversity
of the Earth and the role natural history
museums play in studying and preserving
that diversity. The tours also provided
an overview of the different types of equipment
and supplies used in storing and studying
museum collections. Weekend field trips
accommodated a forum to discuss and demonstrate
collection and observation techniques on
site.
3. The Museum Environment.
In addition to the formal program described
above, the participants were included in
the research community and in all museum
activities, including departmental seminars,
special lectures by visiting scientists,
exhibits preparation, and interaction with
the public.
INFORMATION PROVIDED
Reference information, organized into 1½"
notebooks and distributed during orientation,
was provided to all RTP participants. The
manual featured: RTP letters and correspondence;
general information; maps; commuting information;
apartment information; the 1996 participant
list; forms, samples, and instructions;
the 1996 schedule of events; program definitions;
and background readings.
Sections of the RTP Reference Manual featured
NMNH and DC maps; special information about
planning for an internship at the Smithsonian;
NMNH fact sheet; Smithsonian history; NMNH
and SI organizational charts; insurance
information; lunch locations; intern discounts
information; health and safety information;
abbreviations and acronyms summary; computer
information; EEO rights and responsibilities;
parking information; MSC shuttle information;
sexual harassment information; security
summary; telephone information; Oakwood-NMNH
commuting handouts (prepared by the 1994
participants); D.C. area taxi information;
RTP, NMNH, and SI registration and exit
forms; ADP key card forms; Library key card
forms; MSC id forms; samples of completed
forms, hypothesis statement, reports and
abstracts, "thank-you" letters;
and check list of exit items.
The RTP Reference Manual was supplemented
with two field trip packets, Calvert Cliffs
and SERC, seven background reading reference
manuals, and a "Quest for Funding"
reference manual which included helpful
hints for preparing proposals, sources of
finalcial support, and funding sources guidelines
to assist RTP participants interested in
continuing research and study at the NMNH.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Many social events were included in the
1996 Research Training Program to facilitate
group cohesion and to give students a chance
to discuss their progress informally with
other RTP participants and members from
the NMNH community - it's also nice to just
have fun sometimes! Noteworthy events of
1996:
- - - An
afternoon picnic/pre-program meeting was
held with Mary Sangrey at the Oakwood
Apartment Complex Sunday, 25 May 1996 to
give RTP participants a chance to meet each
other.
- - - To
provide a forum for students to informally
meet program staff and discuss expectations,
a continental breakfast featuring bagels
and doughnuts preceded the 1996 RTP orientation
meeting Monday, 26 May 1996. The refreshments
were a welcome break after the NMNH "grand
tour."
- - - Because
all interns must properly register with
the Institution through an intricate procedure
of forms and office visits, the "RTP
Entrance and Orientation Mission" was
hosted to turn the tedious task of registration
into a fun contest.
A check list of all registration requirements
was prepared and listed as the mission goals.
To build team spirit and cooperation students
were assigned to three person teams and
given the quest: "Your mission, should
you decide to accept it, is to navigate
through the NMNH system of dips, turns and
other administrators by taming red tape-monsters
which lurk (not inside the white or green
specimen cases but...) hidden within seemingly
innocent pieces of paper; to master e-mail
systems designed to frustrate even the most
knowledgeable surfer, and to memorize all
escape codes should you find yourself caught
between enemy elevators. This message will
self-destruct in 392 hours. The countdown
has begun.."
The first team to complete the mission and
master the checklist of items, and present
the completed folder, won a 1994 Natural
History t-shirt. As a reward for successfully
completing orientation Mary Sangrey,
(with the help of Haldre Roger) arranged
for all RTP participants to receive (Monday,
3 June 1996) a "free cone coupon"
redeemable for a scoop of ice cream at the
Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop.
- - - All
students who celebrated a birthday during
the ten-week program received a Ben &
Jerry's 1996 calendar which featured a coupon
for one free scoop of ice cream each month,
complements of the RTP Program Coordinator.
- - - A
luncheon followed the 1996 orientation meeting,
Monday, 26 May 1996. Over catered sandwiches,
chips and drinks incoming RTPers had the
opportunity to meet and talk to each other
and program staff.
- - - A
director's office coffee hour was held on
Tuesday, 28 May 1996 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00
p.m. Over coffee and light refreshments
students met with their advisors to discuss
their research project and the goals of
the summer. This gathering also introduced
students to new NMNH Director, Robert
Fri.
- - - As
a welcome pause between activities, a continental
breakfast featuring bagels and doughnuts
was served during the first break, and cold
watermelon during the second break, of the
"Field Techniques" field trip
held at the Smithsonian Environmental Research
Center (SERC) Saturday, 8 June 1996. The
social breaks also provided an opportunity
for RTP interns to meet the students participating
in internships at SERC. SERC interns gave
a brief presentation about their project
then hosted a tour of the SERC research
laboratories and dormitories.
- - - The
NMNH hosted the North American Paleontological
Conference from 9 - 12 June 1996. On the
initiative of conference organizer Ellis
Yochelson, several RTP participants
were invited to volunteer their time helping
run slide projectors and assisting speakers
in the ready-room in exchange for attending
the meetings free of charge.
- - - The
sudden flowering of the bamboo Phyllostachys
flexuosa at the National Zoo provided an
opportunity to demonstrate plant collecting
and pressing techniques. Five RTP participants
(Leslie Castellanos, Rachel Eden,
Maria Fokina, Rachel Harden,
and Marcelo Silva) and one project
advisor (Jon Norenburg) accompanied
Mary Sangrey the morning of Tuesday,
11 June 1996, to the zoo to collect the
flowering bamboo and make observations.
- - - The
NMNH Department of Botany hosted a open
house of the greenhouse facilities located
on the grounds of the Museum Support Center.
Most RTP participants and many members of
the NMNH community attended. Potluck refreshments
were served and duplicate plants given away
as door prizes.
- - - The
NMNH Senate of Scientists hosted a dinner
forum on Monday, 17 June 1996. The director
of the NMNH, Robert Fri, gave the
keynote address titled "Sustainable
Development: An economist's perspective."
Several RTP participants attended this event.
- - -
A poster-stuffing pizza party was organized
by Jorge Uribe-Juarez on Tuesday,
18 June 1996. The event began at 4:00 p.m.
in the Botany Library and concluded around
11:00 p.m.. During the party, just under
7,000 1997 advertisement posters were prepared
for distribution and delivered to the mail
room. Twelve 2 liter bottles of soda and
16 Little Cesars pizzas were consumed by
the 30 participants.
- - - "Eyes
on Science," a temporary exhibit coordinated
by Entomology Scientific Illustrator Elaine
Hodges highlighting the Museum's Natural
Science Illustrators, had an opening reception
and special staff preview on Tuesday, 25
June 1996.
- - - The
RTP participants hosted a behind the scenes
tour of the NMNH for SERC interns Thursday,
27 June 1996 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Six
sites at the NMNH were featured. The ten
participating SERC interns (Matthew Beatty,
Xenia Fyodorova, Scott Gransden,
Shannon Kozlowics, Barbara Lopez,
Jamal Mohammad, Laura Prugh,
Tonya Rawlings, Felisa Wolfe,
and Gina Zarlingo) were divided into
two groups touring three sites each. Group
I visited VZ - mammals (hosted by Jason
Kaufman), Anthropology (hosted by Liz
Alter) and Invertebrate Paleobiology
(hosted by Matt Kosnik and Phil
Gottshall). Group II visited VZ - Reptiles
and Amphibians (hosted by Rich Glor),
Invertebrate Zoology (hosted by Forest
Gahn) and Botany (hosted by Maria
Fokina). Each presentation was 15 minutes.
- - - On
Thursday, 27 June 1996 the Smithsonian Internship
Council sponsored an Ice Cream Social, held
on the American Museum of Natural History
terrace. RTP participants attending had
the opportunity to meet interns from many
of the other Smithsonian Museum programs.
Smithsonian Secretary I. Michael Heyman
also attended.
- - - The
Festival of American Folklife, held from
26 - 30 June 1996 and 3 - 7 July 1996, featured
the state of Iowa - community style (celebrating
150 years of statehood), The American South,
and Working at the Smithsonian. Many Smithsonian
staff participated in festival workshops
and panel discussions including RTP advisors
and their students.
- - - On
Saturday, 31 June 1996 Bruce Collette
hosted a party at his home for all RTP students
and advisors. Highlights of this event include
a barbecue, snacks, drinks, swimming and
ultimate Frisbee.
- - - The
Smithsonian Office of Government Relations
hosted a Capitol Hill Open House Wednesday,
17 July 1996 from 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. for Smithsonian
interns at the Senate Office Building. Several
U.S. Senators and Congressional Representative
attended.
- - - As
suggested by Rebecca Thomas, a "Stress
Breaker Social" was held in Mary's
office Friday 26 July 1996 to provide students
a distraction from the stresses of preparing
for their oral presentations and written
final reports. Coffee, tea, and home-made
chocolate chip cookies were featured from
8:00 a.m. to noon.
- - - On
Saturday, 27 July 1996, Elizabeth Zimmer
hosted a dinner at her home for all RTP
students "to relax for awhile and take
a break from presentation preparation."
- - - An
awards ceremony was held Thursday 1 August
1996 from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the NMNH
Director's Office. RTP participants received
a certificate of completion from NMNH Director,
Robert Fri and a Research Training
Program t-shirt from Program Coordinator
Mary Sangrey.
- - - Because
all interns must properly exit the Institution
through an intricate procedure of forms
and exit meetings, the second annual "Great
RTP Exit Scavenger Hunt" was hosted
to turn the tedious task of exit clearance
into a fun contest. A checklist of all exit
requirements was prepared and listed as
the scavenger hunt items. Nine three-person
teams were established. First team to complete
the checklist of exit items and present
the entire folder to the Program Coordinator
won a 1994 Natural History t-shirt and First
International Congress of Systematic and
Evolutionary Biology medallion.
RETURNING ALUMNI
Unlike most colleges and universities where
few undergraduates return to their home
institution for work or research opportunities
after they have graduated, many RTP alumni
return to the NMNH through multiple options
which are available for students to continue
their association with the institution and
their project advisor; as visitors, contractors,
participants in other academic appointments,
and even employees. Several RTP alumni were
in-residence or visited the NMNH during
the 1996 Program and most elected to participate
in, and even host, activities including:
