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 Information
about the Research Training Program:
go directly to the current RTP on-line application forms
Smithsonian
Center for Education and Museum Studies Smithsonian Office of Fellowships - internships
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Research
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Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History Research
Training Program 29 May 1999 - 6 August 1999 A total of 23 students were selected to participate in the 1999 session of the Research Training Program including 2 international students representing Brazil and Ecuador. Schedule
of Events |
Poster |
Program
Summary
* * * ARRIVAL * * *
* Saturday, 29 May 1999 * 9:00 a.m. : Apartment inspection conducted by RTP staff * Apartments clean,
in good repair, and ready for move-in 10:00 a.m. : Apartment check-in begins Location: Oakwood
Apartment Complex phone: 703-751-0870 Students: Report to the Residence Services Building for apartment registration, to pay telephone deposit, and to obtain security building and room keycards. All apartments are four-person occupancy, two bedroom, two bathroom units, with living room, kitchen, and complete cooking facilities. The Oakwood offers an apartment community built on 36 acres of land. The complex consists of 20 mid-rise (four-story) buildings with patios or balconies. A "basic intern package" is provided which includes standard cooking and eating utensils (e.g. pots, pans, plates, cups, flatware), telephone, linens (e.g. sheets, blankets, pillows, towels), television and microwave oven. Note: Apartments are stocked with four copies of the RTP Reference Notebook - one for each RTP participant. Extra copies are NOT available! Students are asked to review the information, forms, and schedule of events provided in the notebook before the Monday orientation meeting - and, are required to bring this notebook (along with questions) to the Monday meeting.
* Sunday, 30 May 1999 * 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. : Apartment check-in continues Location: Oakwood
Apartment Complex Topic: Welcome RTP students Potluck picnic for students, advisors, other staff and SERC interns. Advisors are encouraged to bring a food and drink item to share. Although not required, students are also welcome to contribute food items. This is a great opportunity for everyone to informally meet staff, advisors and their families and enjoy a fun afternoon. - - - Program Notes - - - How
do I find a doctor or dentist? Where
is the Smithsonian Lost and Found? Week
1 |
Week 2 |
Week 3 |
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Week 5 |
Week 6 |
Week 7 *
* * WEEK 1 * * *
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. : PROGRAM ORIENTATION - host: Mary Sangrey * * * RTP Reference Notebook Required! * * * 8:45 a.m. Arrival. Assemble at the Constitution Avenue lobby area entrance. PLEASE BE PROMPT! Receive a behind-the-scenes identification badge from security - requires that a photo ID be exchanged for a one-day SI badge. Please DO NOT use a passport for the photo ID exchange, unless you have NOTHING else!
Sergeant Greenwood provides information and insights about security in the Natural History Building including:
Learn the answers to these questions plus detailed information about procedures for working evenings and weekends. There is much to see! Lots of walking and many stairs to climb. Limit baggage. Bring a notepad and pencil to record security access codes for doors and elevators. Discover answers to:
Location: Botany
Library Topic: Everything
you ever wanted to know about the Research Training Program - here's the
chance to ask. -
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- Required orientation information:
- Additional orientation requirements for foreign students:
- Other topics to be discussed:
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* Abbreviations
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- - Orientation Notes - - - What does it mean to "Host" an event? All RTP participants have been assigned at least one event to "host." As a host you are an active participant in the development and presentation of the RTP curriculum. Not only do you gain experience in organizing and hosting scientific events, this is also your chance to ensure that your expectations of RTP activities are met. Students not hosting the event should communicate to the host their special interests and questions about the topic. - - - LECTURE / DISCUSSION: As the host of a lecture or discussion you are responsible for meeting with the speaker several days prior to the event to obtain background information about them and the topic they are presenting (including additional references & readings). You will also need to determine the requirements for the presentation (equipment, supplies, etc.) and how to obtain them. The day of the event you are responsible for setting up the room (arranging chairs, tables, etc.), providing the necessary equipment (slide projector, overhead projector, etc.), confirming that the supplies are available (chalk, etc.), and introducing the speaker. The room should be set up at least 15 minutes prior to the event. Remember, YOU are the host of the event. It is up to you to ensure that the time schedule is followed. Be sure to allow time for questions and encourage interaction between the speaker and the audience. After the event you are responsible for cleaning up including returning the room to "standard" arrangement, returning equipment, and thanking the speaker for their time. - - - DEMONSTRATION / WORKSHOP: As the host of a tour or demonstration/workshop you are responsible for meeting with the guides/instructors several days prior to the event to obtain background information about them and the topic they are presenting (including additional references & readings). Be sure to poll the other RTP participants to determine their special interests in the topic. You will also need to determine the requirements for the event and the locations to be visited (make sure you know the route if moving through different locations). The day of the event you are responsible for assisting with the set up including "pulling" specimens for display. The event should be ready at least 15 minutes prior to the start time. Remember, YOU are the host of the event. During the event make sure everyone can see and hear what's presented. Try to encourage interaction between the guides/instructors and the audience. And, it's up to you to ensure that the time schedule is followed. After the event you are responsible for assisting with the cleaning up and thanking the guides/instructors for their time.
The RTP office has a slide projector and slide trays available for check-out. The Department of Botany has an overhead projector available for check-out (warning! one-day notice required).
Most of the readings and references listed in the RTP schedule are available in the "white/yellow notebooks" located outside the RTP office (W411). You are welcome to sit at the table in the office and review information (help yourself to the coffee and tea - but please clean up after you are done). If you want your own copy of a reference or reading, there is a photocopy machine for your use located across the hall in Room W409. Be sure to return the original to the notebook so others can share the information.
Yes. However, you need to make sure that you follow the proper process.
* Tuesday, 1 June 1999 * 8:30 a.m. : GROUP PHOTOGRAPH Location: NHB front
steps Photographer: Don Hurlbert (phone: 633-9116).
Advisors: Please include the location and information about:
Students: Be sure to get your advisor's signature on the "Intern Registration Form" and complete the "Project Description" section of this form!
Location: NMNH Office
of the Director Topic: Director's Office Coffee Hour. An informal gathering of residents from the NMNH community plus members from funding organizations. Light refreshments available.
1. Smithsonian Registration.
Forms due: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Note: Following "Smithsonian Registration" students should divide into two groups with half going first to 2. "Award Confirmation" and the other half to 3. "Photo ID." International students must go with the first group (to "Award Confirmation") - there are a number of extra registration checks before your day is done. 2. Award
Confirmation.
Forms due: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3. Photo ID.
Students: Review
and copy forms, test the e-mail system, begin preparing the Project Proposal
including the research supply/travel budget. * Wednesday, 2 June 1999 * 9:00 a.m. - noon : RESEARCH Students: Confirm that you have a computer to use and that you can read GroupWise e-mail on it. If you have questions, have them ready before the ADP ORIENTATION this afternoon. Note: the RTP has three laptop computers available for one-day check-out. However, these do not have network connectors.
Location: The Discovery
Room Topic: Learning and Teaching using natural history objects - an introduction to the NMNH exhibits. Step into the National Museum of Natural History and you enter the world of nature. Considered the "most species-rich place on earth" there are more different representatives from the natural world per square foot at 10th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW than anywhere else recorded. The National Museum of Natural History holds wonders from all over the globe, and examples of the many varied cultures of human kind. The Museum houses the world's richest collection of artifacts and natural objects, functioning as two parts: the core, and it's outreach. At the core, the center from which outreach generates, is the research and collections. Here 99% of the Museum's 121 million specimens are securely maintained behind the scenes actively contributing to current investigations or lying in-state awaiting the call to provide answers to yet-to-be-asked questions by future generations of scientists. Fueled by the natural history stories of the NMNH researchers and employing the services of a mere 1% of the NMNH's collections, the public exhibits reach out to 7 millions visitors each year sharing natural history science with young and old. While touring the public face, NMNH guests are tempted to touch the curious objects, but for the majority of displays, only viewing is permitted. The Discovery Room is an oasis in the "hands-off" Museum. Like the scientists behind-the-scenes, in The Discovery Room visitors may use all their senses, including touch, to learn about objects from the natural world. Learn how The Discovery Room staff teach natural history to Museum visitors and join in The Collection Connection Challenge which offers insight into the NMNH exhibits and methods of sharing science stories with the general public. The Challenge asks participants to search the NMNH exhibits for answers to natural history questions. While taking "The Challenge," consider the following:
Location: ADP Conference
Room Topic: NHB Computer services/ facilities including common-use equipment & e-mail Meet the Automated Data Processing (ADP) staff. Learn how to telnet to your home e-mail account; how to access and use your Smithsonian e-mail account; review the Museum's internet browsing policies and virus protection requirements; see the common use computer facilities and receive instruction on preparing slides for your presentation, scanning documents and images, etc.
Speakers:
Location: Natural
History Branch Library Topic: Smithsonian Libraries and the Natural History Branch In 1881 Spencer Fullerton Baird, second Secretary of the Smithsonian, donated his library to the "new" National Museum. That collection of books formed the core of what has developed into one of the largest natural history collections in the United States. The Smithsonian Institution Library (SIL) system, which includes the Natural History Branch, totals over 1 million volumes including rare books, current journals and reprints from around the world. The Natural History Branch is composed of 18 scientific specialty collections which are housed in locations throughout the NHB. The NHB system consists of a main location and subject-based sublocations including Anthropology, Botany, Entomology, Invertebrate Zoology, Mineral Sciences, Mollusks, Vertebrate Zoology, and Vertebrate Paleontology. The Natural History main location includes a collection of reference materials covering topics such as general biology, geology, paleontology, ecology, and conservation. With more than 215,000 volumes, the Natural History Branch Library provides services for over 500 museum staff plus countless international researchers. The Natural History Library is open from 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. Interlibrary loan services are available.
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Panelists:
References & Readings: * National Museum of Natural History Branch Library Location: ADP Common-use
Computer Room Topic: Using NMNH e-mail and other computer assistance ADP staff will be available for 15 minute individual help sessions to assist students with their individual computer needs and questions including reviewing NMNH e-mail, telneting, and slide processing.
* Thursday, 3 June 1999 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH NOTE: RTP staff will be conducting site visits to check on "how things are going" and to photograph student/advisor teams for the "photo board" and RTP web site. * Friday, 4 June 1999 * - - - BOTANY - - - Botany is the science dedicated to the study of plants. Botanical research at the NMNH focuses on plant systematics in the broadest sense: taxonomy, nomenclature, comparative anatomy and morphology, ecology, evolutionary theory, and conservation biology. Both modern and fossil species of many plant groups, including algae, mosses, lichens, ferns, and flowering plants are currently being studied. Department research emphasizes field studies and utilizes the collections as a primary resource. Numerous floristic studies are under way, while others are aimed at elucidating evolutionary development, phylogeny, and the broad questions of classification. Publications include monographs on selected groups of plants, floras, checklists, and research papers addressing relevant biological and evolutionary questions. References: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. : LECTURE - host: Anna Senters Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Topic: Recent Discoveries in Marine Botany. Drs. Mark and Diane Littler are marine scientists who have developed a unique husband and wife working relationship. Their mutual interests and aspirations in the field of marine botany provided the foundation from which two jointly productive research careers have been based. Their research has taken them around the globe, including field research in the Belize Barrier Reef Islands, French Polynesia and Galapagos Islands. They have collectively published more than 100 research papers. As a team, the Littlers' research interests are directed toward the stability of marine ecosystems, the productivity and evolution of marine plants and the analysis of plant morphology as a method of predicting its ecological role in the reef community. In 1983 they generated excitement in the scientific community with their discovery of the deepest plant life ever collected from the ocean. The crustose red alga was found in the Bahamas at a depth of 880 feet. This discovery extended the depth distribution limits of marine plants and challenged established theories concerning the minimum light levels necessary to maintain plant growth. In 1994 they discovered a new pathogen of reef building algae - "CLOD" - that threatens Pacific coral reefs. Speakers: Drs. Mark and Diane Littler. B.A. (1961), M.S. Ohio University; Ph.D. (1971) University of Hawaii. (phone: 357-3012). Readings & References: * Littler, M.M., D.S.
Littler, S.M. Blaire, and J.N. Norris. 1985. Deepest known plant life
discovered on an uncharted seamount. Science 227: 57-59.
Location: Fern Counter Topic: The U.S. National Herbarium Explore the US National Herbarium. See the "Botany Best" collection and learn why museum plant collections are important. See the smallest known terrestrial fern and learn why we continue to revisit well collected sites. View the algae greenhouse. Hold a specimen of the largest pine cone and biggest seed. Discover plants that grow IN rocks. Examine a specimen of Welwitschia, known only from desert areas of southwestern Africa. This Gymnosperm, in the class Gnetinae, is probably the most bizarre of vascular plants. It produces just two long leaves during its lifetime, which may last as long as a century. The leaves, which have a basal meristem, keep growing, breaking off at the distal ends and splitting lengthwise. Dead, usually various shades of brown, pressed and dried plants, generally mounted on 11" x 17" sheets of paper may not have the initial appeal of furry mammals or brightly colored bird skins but bring your hand lens or take advantage of the dissecting microscopes available - herbarium collections hold many wondrous characters, it just takes a discerning eye to see the intricate beauty, patterns, and uniqueness. The United States National Herbarium (US) was founded in 1848, when the first collections were accessioned from the United States Exploring Expedition (50,000 specimens of 10,000 species). Current holdings total 4.5 million specimens from worldwide locations including 90,000 type specimens, making this collection among the ten largest in the world representing about 8% of the plant collection resources of the United States. An average of 40,000 specimens are added to the collection each year. The Department maintains an extremely active loan and exchange program. About 50,000 specimens are lent annually to other institutions around the world and an additional 20,000 specimens are exchanged. Approximately 200 researchers visit the herbarium each year. The collection encompasses all major groups of plants (bryophytes, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms) as well as algae (esp. marine algae and diatoms) and lichens. The fungi were transferred to the National Fungus Collection (BPI). The scope of the collection is worldwide, but with special strengths in the neotropics, North America, Pacific oceanic islands, the Philippines, and the Indian subcontinent. Many of the plant groups represented in the U.S. National Herbarium rank among the finest and/or largest in the world. The flowering plant families of Acanthaceae, Asteraceae, Bromeliaceae, Gesneriaceae, Melastomataceae, and Poaceae have benefited from a long history of research and study as well as current specialist support. Other flowering plant groups that enjoy active support include Araceae, Commelinaceae, Onagraceae, Passifloraceae, Sapindaceae, Sterculiaceae, Theaceae, and Zingiberales. Other important collection resources of the US National Herbarium include a wood collection, maintained at the MSC, that numbers over 43,000 specimens and microslides of wood sections, and a pollen and spore reference collection of over 7,500 microslides.
TOUR QUESTIONS:
* The Department of
Botany
Location: Plant Anatomy
Laboratory Topic: Plant Histology On display are examples from the wood collection and the botanical anatomical reference slide collection. Plant histology techniques including whole mount clearings, paraffin embedding and sectioning, freezing microtome sectioning, critical point drying, and photo micrography will be demonstrated. Instructor: Stan
Yankowski (phone: 357-2338)
Location: Compactor
Counter Topic: Plant Processing, mounting & preserving On display are examples of specimens showing different mounting and preservation techniques. See pressed and dried collections, liquid collections, bulky specimens, microslides, etc. Plant pressing and mounting will be demonstrated. Instructors: Debbie Bell (phone: 357-2795)
Location: Botany
Library Topic: Meet the NHB Botany Community Light refreshments will be available. Members from the NMNH Botany community will gather to discuss their research interests.
Location: Fern Counter Topic: Botanical Scientific Illustration On display are examples of illustrations showing different methods of botanical illustration and the steps required to progress from concept to published illustration. Illustration tools, including camera lucida use, will be demonstrated and interested participants will be given the opportunity to experiment with the various illustration equipment and techniques. Instructor: Alice Tangerini (phone: 357-1517) * Saturday, 5 June 1999 * 8:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. : FIELD TRIP - host: Johnas Wright * * * Advisors and their families are welcome. * * *
Directions: From Oakwood Apartment Complex, Alexandria, VA: Take Van Dorn Street to Capitol Beltway (over the Wilson Bridge) take exit 11 to Md. Rt. 4 South. Follow Md. Rt. 4 to Prince Frederick Md. Rt. 231 (traffic light); continue through light to second traffic light; just past second light turn left onto Parkers Creek Road; turn right onto Scientists Cliffs Road; turn right at Gate B; at the fork go left to Chestnut Cabin (if too far you will exit back to Scientists Cliffs Road at Gate C).
The cliffs dominate the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay extending for more than thirty miles; from Fairhaven (Anne Arundel County, MD) to near Drum Point (Calvert County, MD). They are considered the best marine Miocene (Miocene Epoch, 25 million to 6.5 million years ago) deposit in the world. Three formations are recognized in the cliffs; from oldest to youngest, the Calvert, Choptank, and St. Marys Formations. These have been further subdivided into Members and Beds. Because of the gentle dip (about 11 feet per mile) of the deposits to the southeast, different Beds are exposed at different localities, containing different sediment types and fossils. The cliffs and beaches have been collected and studied from Colonial times to the present. Over 600 species of fossils have been identified from these cliffs including the "Maryland State Fossil" Ecphora gardnerae gardnerae Wilson. The most visible fossils are mollusk shells, with some beds so densely packed that they are described as "shell beds." The most popular fossils are the sharks' teeth. Other fossils include microscopic plants and animals, macroscopic plants, corals, barnacles, crabs, sand dollars, sea urchins, bony fish, rays, crocodiles, turtles, birds, terrestrial mammals, and marine mammals. Many fossils have
Calvert Cliffs as their type locality and some have been found nowhere
else. The Calvert Cliffs region is also home to two Federally threatened species of tiger beetle; Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis (Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle) and Cicindela puritana (Puritan Tiger Beetle) which live on the broad, sandy beaches at approximately ten locations in Virginia and Maryland including four populations in Calvert County.
Dave Bohaska
(phone: 357-2052)
8:45
a.m. Meet at the Oakwood Residences Services Building 9:00 a.m. Depart Oakwood, Alexandria, Virginia 10:30
a.m. Arrive Scientists Cliffs, Maryland - Meet at the "Chestnut
Cabin" parking lot. 10:30
- 10:45 a.m.
Site Orientation 10:45
a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Site Exploration 1:00 p.m. Lunch Break - Bring your own lunch. 2:00
- 5:00 p.m. Student Option
Readings & References: * A key to the common
genera of neocene shark teeth
* Sunday, 6 June 1999 * OPEN - - - Week 1 Notes - - -
First, be sure you've read, signed and returned to ADP the "Network Systems and E-mail User Agreement" within one week of opening the account, else your account will be deactivated. All RTP participants have been given a network e-mail account and an in-house (GroupWise) e-mail account. Your NETWORK ID will generally be eight characters; the first seven will be your last name and the eighth will be the first initial of your first name. The NETWORK PASSWORD is Welcome. For example: NETWORK ID = sangreym Your IN-HOUSE ID (GroupWise) will generally be eight characters; the first seven will be your last name and the eighth will be the first initial of your first name. The GROUPWISE PASSWORD is W | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
You are HERE. To continue select the next option.
3:30
- 4:30 p.m. WORKSHOP
Located
on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay, the "Calvert Cliffs"
were formed over 15 million years ago when all of Southern Maryland was
covered by a warm, shallow sea. 