 |
 |
| Highlights |
| |
|
| Highlights |
|
 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
Smithsonian Office of Fellowships - fellowships POST GRADUATES
CONTACT US
- OR -
Research
& Collections
|
27 May 2000 - 5 August 2000 A total of 22 students were selected to participate in the 2000 session of the Research Training Program including 4 international students representing Borneo, Colombia, Germany, and Guyana. Schedule
of Events |
Poster |
Program
Summary National Museum of Natural History Research
Training Program
* * * ARRIVAL * * * * Saturday, 27 May 2000 * 9:00 a.m. : Apartment inspection conducted by RTP staff * Apartments clean,
in good repair, and ready for move-in 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. : Apartment check-in Location: The Alexandria,
phone: 703-212-2664 Students: Report to the Rental 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 Alexandria 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. 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. : Apartment check-in continues 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. : PROGRAM SOCIAL - host: Anita Chapa Location: The Alexandria
Apartment Complex Topic: Welcome RTP students RTP staff will offer insight and advise about commuting, sites to see in the DC area, and making the most of all the RTP has to offer. Potluck picnic for students. Although not required, students are welcome to contribute specialty food items from their home. This is a great opportunity for everyone to informally meet and enjoy a fun afternoon. - - - N o t e s - - -
Week
1 |
Week 2 |
Week 3 |
Week 4 |
Week 5 |
Week 6 |
Week 7 *
* * WEEK 1 * * * * Monday, 29 May 2000 (Memorial Day Holiday) * 8:45 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! 8:45 - 9:00 a.m. Continental breakfast. NHB, Constitution Avenue Lobby 9:00 - 9:10 a.m. Security briefing. Captain Chatman, Chief of Security, 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. 9:10 - 10:30 a.m. Facilities Tour - Natural History Building (NHB). Here is a quick-paced introduction to all parts of the building. 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. We don't expect you to remember how to find each location, but offer the tour as a companion to the map to help get you started in becoming independent in finding your way around. During the tour discover answers to:
11:00 - 12:30 a.m. Program Orientation / Completion of Registration Forms. Location: Botany
Library Topic: Everything
you ever wanted to know about the Research Training Program - here's the
chance to ask. - Forms to be completed:
- Required orientation information:
- Additional orientation requirements for foreign students:
- Other topics to be discussed:
12:30 - 1:00 p.m. Group Question/Answer session. 1:00
- 1:30 p.m. Lunch Break Sodas, sandwiches,
chips, fruit and veggies provided. 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. ORIENTATION OPTION:
Orientation Readings & References: * Abbreviations &
Acronyms
- - -Orientation Notes - - - * Tuesday, 30 May 2000 * 8:30 a.m. : GROUP PHOTOGRAPH Location: NHB front
steps Photographer: Don Hurlbert (phone: 202-633-9116).
All RTP participants will meet with their research team for detailed orientation to their specific research facilities, to complete registration forms, and to obtain signatures. 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 Social. An informal gathering of residents from the NMNH community plus members from funding organizations. Meet Dr. William Gordon, Program Director from the National Science Foundation - Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program and Dr. A. James Hicks, Program Director from the NSF Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation Program. Representatives from the Smithsonian Women's Committee are also anticipated. Light refreshments available.
1. Smithsonian Registration.
Forms due: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Forms due: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
3. Photo ID.
4. Visa Confirmation. (foreign students only)
5. Notary
Public. (foreign students only) Meet with Notary Public to certify travel information and release payments.
Students: Review and copy forms, test the e-mail system, begin preparing the Project Proposal including the research supply/travel budget. * Wednesday, 31 May 2000 * H
a p p y B i r t h d a y
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 IT ORIENTATION this afternoon. Note: the RTP has four laptop computers available for one-day check-out.
Notes: Meet in the Constitution Avenue Lobby. The group will divide into two sets of 12 each. Orientation includes two 1.5 hour sessions (1:00 - 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 - 3:45 p.m.). For those interested in individual instruction, a personalized workshop in the RTP Workroom from 4:00 - 5:15 p.m. will follow the training sessions. SESSION I: Information Technology Services - 1:00 - 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 - 3:45 p.m. Location: ADP Conference
Room Speaker: Kurt
Luginbyhl - software and intern liaison (phone: 202-357-1955) Panelists: Topic: NHB
Computer services/ facilities Meet the Automated Data Processing (ADP) staff. Learn how to communicate with your home/university 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 converting computer files to film for your presentation, scanning documents and images, etc. At the conclusion of the IT Orientation all students should:
- - - * 2:00 p.m. : ITEM DUE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (5) "ADP Card
Reader Access Data Form" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NOTES:
Location: Natural
History Branch Library Panelists: Anthropology - Maggie
Dittemore (phone: 202-357-1819) 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. Weekdays, Monday through Friday, and is closed evenings and weekends. Interlibrary loan services are available. NOTE: Library computers are dedicated systems reserved for library research. These are not general use computers. Common use computers are available in the ADP area. Meet the Library staff. Learn how to check-out books and journals; how to find newly published articles; review the Museum's inter-library loan policies and borrowing requirements; see the on-line card catalogue system and receive instruction on how to find specific references; etc. At the conclusion of the Library Orientation all students should:
(8) "SI Libraries Borrowing Registration/Authorization Form" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - References & Readings: * National Museum of Natural History Branch Library
SESSION II - Part 2: Administration Orientation - 1:45 - 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 - 3:45 p.m. Location: Hall 27
Deck - RTP Area Topic: Working with administrative staff to maximize research. Research efforts are often supported by budget assistants and fund managers who oversee the purchasing and spending from research grant monies, including reporting balances and discrepancies.- The most effective researchers have learned to work with administrative support personnel to effectively communicate needs and obtain results. Learn the basics of how the Smithsonian system works, how to obtain and spend your research supply budget, and who can help you with your questions.
Location: RTP Workroom Speaker: Anita Chapa (phone: 202-786-9234) Topic: Using NMNH e-mail and other computer assistance Staff will be available for 15 minute personalized help sessions to assist students with their individual computer needs and questions including reviewing NMNH e-mail, communicating with distant computer systems, scanning, and slide processing.
* Thursday, 1 June 2000 * 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, 2 June 2000 * - - - 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: W. John Kress,
Botany Chairman
Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Speakers: Drs. Mark and Diane Littler. B.A. (1961), M.S. Ohio University; Ph.D. (1971) University of Hawaii. (phone: 202-357-3012). 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. Other recent discoveries include "Black Band Disease" - which appears to be a bacteria first found in the Cook Islands. 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.
Tour Guide: Greg McKee (phone: 202-357-1590) 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. - - - Learn about how we manage security for the "drug" plants. - - - 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. Also on display: phylogeny of the paper clip, yes, that's right! 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. Readings & References: * The Department of
Botany
1:00 - 1:45 p.m. DEMONSTRATION Location: Plant Anatomy
Laboratory Instructor: Stan Yankowski (phone: 202-357-2338) Topic: Plant Histology The Plant Anatomy Laboratory highlights the Wonderful World of Plant Microtechnique. Learn about why anatomy is useful in taxonomic research and especially about the methods that reveal anatomical structure and cellular organization in plants. This is an opportunity to observe and discuss techniques while they are being demonstrated. The session features microtomy, whole mount clearing, critical point drying, light microscopy and photomicrography. 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.
Location: Botany
Fern Counter instructors: Debbie Bell
(phone: 202-357-2795) Topic: Plant Processing, mounting & preserving Watch as specimens are prepared for encorporation in to the herbarium. Plant pressing and mounting will be demonstrated. On display are examples of specimens showing different mounting and preservation techniques.
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 Instructor: Alice Tangerini (phone: 202-357-1517) 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. * Saturday, 3 June 2000 * 8:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. : FIELD TRIP - host: Chad Schennum * * * Advisors and their families are welcome. * * * Location: Scientists Cliffs, Maryland From The Alexandria 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). Guides: Dave Bohaska
(phone: 202-357-2052) Topic: Paleobiology - Calvert Cliffs formation 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. 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. Itinerary: 8:30 a.m. Meet at
The Alexandria Residences Services Building 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Student Option Readings & References: * A key to the common
genera of neocene shark teeth
* Sunday, 4 June 2000 * OPEN -
- - Week 1 Notes - - -
* * * WEEK 2 * * * * Monday, 5 June 2000 * - - - ANTHROPOLOGY - - - Anthropology is the study of the origins, physical characteristics, and cultural developments of humankind. Research at the NMNH encompasses archaeological, ethnological, linguistic and physical anthropological research across worldwide locations. The archaeological, ethnological, and physical collections of the Department include over two million specimens from all parts of the world. The anthropology skeletal collections number among the most assembled in the world and represent a variety of populations including hundreds of specimens of known age and sex of modern populations. References: Caroline
Rose, Anthropology Chairman
Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Speaker: Dr. Douglas Ubelaker, Curator, Physical Anthropology. B.A. (1968), Ph.D. (1973) University of Kansas. (phone: 202-786-2505). Topic: Forensic Anthropology What can human remains tell you about a person's life? Although many think of bones as solid, immutable structures, they actually change throughout life in response to various influences such as nutrition, injury, and disease. If Doug Ubelaker were to examine a set of bones they would paint a detailed picture of the person's life--and possibly death. Frequently called upon by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other law enforcement officials, Ubelaker is among the nation's leading experts in forensic anthropology, the science of identifying individuals from their skeletal remains and detecting evidence of trauma and foul play. Readings & References:
Notes: Those interested in joining the tour need to gather at the Constitution Avenue entrance to meet the MSC shuttle for travel to the facility. The shuttle departs promptly every hour at 5 minutes after the hour (e.g. 11:05 a.m.) and drops off/ picks up at MSC every hour on the half hour (e.g. 11:30 a.m.). Everyone must join at the beginning of the tour but students are free to return to the Museum at any point during the tour. Location: Museum Support Center Guides: Deb Hull-Walski Topic: The "off-site" collections and labs See the cultural anthropology collections, large mammal storage, mineral sciences dry nitrogen storage, Botany greenhouse, bug room, and more.
* Tuesday, 6 June 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH * PAYDAY * -
- - * 4:00 p.m. : ITEM DUE
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - * Wednesday, 7 June 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - noon : RESEARCH Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Topic: One hundred twenty one million and counting: using, managing and maintaining the NMNH collections. Why do we have museum collections? What does it mean to manage them? How are collections arranged? What are the best specimen storage methods? What dangers do specimens (and entire collections) face? How many of each species do you need? What is a type? Can a juvenile be a "type?" What are the procedures for using and borrowing specimens? How does the "repatriation act" and the "endangered species act" effect Museum collections? When do you need collecting permits (. . . you mean I can kill a mouse in my house in a grocery store mouse trap but I need a permit to "collect" that same mouse for a museum . . . )? What are the "ethics" of collecting within the US and in foreign countries? NMNH technicians and collections management staff will discuss their views and comment on their experiences. We will begin the discussion with a 15 minute overview of Museum science departments, organizational structure, and research and collections activities. Following the overview each Department will present a 5 minute synopsis about what's unique to their collections.
The NMNH is divided into seven science departments: Anthropology, Botany, Entomology, Invertebrate Zoology, Mineral Sciences, Paleobiology, and Vertebrate Zoology (VZ). Some departments are further divided into Divisions, for example in VZ there are four Divisions which function as mini-departments: Amphibians and Reptiles, Birds, Mammals and Fishes. Each department is headed by a Chair (usually a "research scientist") and divisions are led by a Curator-in-Charge. Within each department the staff are largely divided into two groups: researchers (entitled "research scientist" or "curators") and collections management staff. Some departments have additional staff such as conservators, illustrators, research assistants, and technical assistants. Other museum activities, such as exhibits production, education, publicity, and outreach are managed by different administrative units and will not be discussed at this time. The activities of the science departments generally can be divided into two categories: research and collections management. Research is the primary domain of the curatorial staff, who typically are Ph.D scientists, but may also be conducted by other staff and resident researchers. Curators also engage in many other activities including collections work, exhibits production, administration, outreach, and education, to name a few. Some departments have research assistants and illustrators who support the work of the curators. The bulk of the collections management work is handled by the collections staff, which may also include research assistants. Collections management activities are many and varied, as are the people that comprise this staff. Three areas, however, are common to all departments and account for a large portion of the activities. They are collections care, maintenance and conservation; specimen/object processing (including physical processing and identification) and cataloging; and "transaction management" which includes lending specimens to other institutions, processing those borrowed by our curators, donating, acquiring, and exchanging specimens or objects, and other related activities. One may get a job in collections management (known as the "museum technician/specialist series") with a Bachelor' degree, but many on our staff also have Masters and Ph.D. degrees. Although techniques for many of these operations are unique to each department or division, the goal is common to all: to acquire and conserve specimens and objects that are appropriate to the museum's mission, to capture collections data (and by today' standards, that means electronically), and to provide appropriate access to our collections and their data (likewise, today that means both physical and electronic access). As you tour the different departments you will be exposed to the myriad of objects in our collections as well as the wide variety of the activities conducted by our staff.
Anthropology .
. . . . . . . Botany . . . .
. . . . . . . . . Entomology . .
. . . . . . . . . . Invertebrate Zoology
. . . . . . . . . . . . Mineral Sciences
. . . . . . . . . Paleobiology .
. . . . . . . . VZ-Birds . . .
. . . . . . . . . VZ-Fishes . .
. . . . . . . . . VZ-Herps . . .
. . . . . . . VZ-Mammals . .
. . . . . . Move Office .
. . . . . . . .
Readings & References: * Collections Management
Policy
Location: Atrium Cafe Topic: Senate of Scientists Dinner Forum Series Interns are welcome to register for this special dinner forum featuring NMNH scientist Ian Macintyre of the Department of Paleobiology who will be speaking on "Holocene History of Western Atlantic Coral Reefs: A struggle for Survival." A cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the lecture at 7:30 p.m. Menu includes salad and rolls, a buffet with two entrees, starch and vegetables and a choice of desserts or fruit. The cost of the dinner is $17.00 for members, associate members and guests, $12.00 for postdoctoral and graduate fellows. Prior registration is recommended. * Thursday, 8 June 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH * Friday, 9 June 2000 * - - - VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY - - - Vertebrate Zoology is the science that deals with the study of animals with backbones. Worldwide collections of preserved specimens and extensive osteological collections are the basis for monographic studies of vertebrate species and their higher taxa, and for related studies that bear on the evolution and ecology of vertebrates. Research in the NMNH Department of Vertebrate Zoology is an amalgam of systematics, morphology, biogeography, life history, behavior, and ecology of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. References:
Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Speaker: Dr. Roy McDiarmid, Zoologist, National Biological Service. University of Southern California. (phone: 202-357-2780). Topic: The Lost World: Cerro de la Neblina Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featured Neblina's tepui neighbor, Roirama, in his famous book "The Lost World." Neblina and Roirama are remnants of an ancient plateau that covered much of what is now the northern end of South America. Over millions of years, the plateau was worn down by wind and water, leaving a series of flat-topped mountains or "tepuis." Each tepui is an austere
"island" marooned in a sea of lowland forest and savanna. As
a result, the tepui inhabitants were isolated from the rest of the world
resulting in many unique remnant from a time long since passed possessing
characters which offer clues about evolution patterns and curiosities
about features whose significance has yet to be learned. An RTP classic! You can't miss Roy's famous lecture about the adventures of field research, the search for (and discovery of?) living dinosaurs, and the answer to the important question "would you like blueberries with your oatmeal this morning?"
* Conover, Adele.
**** Expedition to a Lost World. International Wildlife Magazine p. 39-42.
Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Topic: The Liquid Collections Notes: The group will meet in the Waldo Schmitt Room and then divide into two sets of 12 each. Tour includes two 45 minute presentations (10:45 - 11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.). PART I Topic: The
Reptile & Amphibian Collection Guide: Steve Gotte (phone: 202-357-4805) Reptiles first appeared about 300 million years ago. Today there are about 6,800 species divided into four orders: crocodilians (alligators and crocodiles) turtles, tuatara, and squamata (lizards and snakes). Reptiles are generally thought to have evolved from amphibians (salamanders and frogs). In herps, see a "Tuatara" (Sphenodon punctatus) a very primitive reptile possessing a third eye over the brain that is light sensitive - it has only one species in the genus, family and order.
Guide: Susan Jewett (phone: 202-357-3300) Tour Profile: The Fish Collection
The Division also maintains one of the world's largest collections of type specimens, approx. 18,000 lots (86,000 specimens). Most of the collection is comprised of liquid preserved specimens stored in 75% ethanol. The division logs about 500 transactions per year involving approximately 20,000 - 30,000 specimens. About one-fourth of the collection is stored in Pod 3 at the Museum Support Center, including most of the North American freshwater fishes, elasmobranchs, and numerous other groups. The fish collection was established in the mid 1800's, with the first entry in the specimen catalog ledgers recorded on 15 December 1856 - a sucker, Catostomus hudsonius, collected by S.F. Baird at Lake George, New York, in 1850. The collections have great historical importance, containing, for example, marine fishes from the Wilkes Expedition and from the extensive U.S. Bureau of Fisheries trawling expeditions conducted by the Blake, Albatross, Fish Hawk and other ships in the late 1800's and early 1900's. North American freshwater fishes collected on the Mississippi-Pacific Railroad and Mexican Boundary Surveys in the 1850's and by David Starr Jordan and his students and colleagues from the 1860's to the 1920's are also important historical specimens included in this collection. See many different specimens from the Division of Fishes collections including cleared and stained specimens, interesting species from the ocean depths, and the NMNH coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae - a rare and ancient fish known only from the fossil record until a living specimen was collected off the coast of South Africa in 1938 and described the following year by Professor J.L.B. Smith.
* Collection and preservation
of fishes
Location: Constitution
Avenue Lobby Notes: The group will meet in the Constitution Avenue Lobby and then divide into two sets of 12 each. Tour includes two one hour presentations (1:30 -2:30 p.m. and 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.). Part I Topic: The Dry Collections - Mammals - 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. and 2:45 - 3:45 p.m. Guide: Jeremy Jacobs (phone: 202-786-2550) All living mammals have backbones, feed their infants milk, have only a single bone on each side of the lower jaw, and three sound-transmitting bones in the inner ear. But despite these shared features, the essential fascination of mammals lies in their diversity - of form and function. There are three major types of living mammals: placental, marsupial, and monotreme, comprising 18 orders and about 4,000 species. Half of these species are rodents and a quarter are bats. The US National Mammal Collection is among the most important collections of mammals in the world. With roughly 570,000 voucher specimens and 3,500 primary types, it is by far the world's largest, nearly twice the size of the next largest mammal collection. The taxonomic and geographic scope of the collection spans the globe, with especially strong representation from North America, Central America, northern South America, Africa, and southeast Asia. The collection includes many historically important specimens. The oldest originated from the activities of the US. Exploring Expedition, dating from 1838-1842, and the personal collection of Spencer Fullerton Baird (the second Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution), also from the 1840s. In addition, the Smithsonian African Expedition acquired many specimens from east Africa (1909-1911), some of which were collected by former President Theodore Roosevelt. While most specimens are housed at NHB, many taxa of large mammals have been moved to MSC. Orders of mammals stored off-site at MSC include Carnivora, Sirenia, Proboscidea, Hyracoidea, Tubulidentata, Perissodactyla, and Artiodactyla. Larger Cetacean specimens are also housed at MSC or the Garber facility next door. The large fluid preserved specimens are also stored in special tanks at MSC. In addition to the dry collections, see the special mammal collections and facilities including the liquid preserved specimens, cleared and stained collection, and CO2 Bubble used to control insect pest infestations. Readings & References: * Directions for preserving
mammals for museum study
Location: Bird Division Tour Profile: The Bird Collection
The Division of Birds houses and maintains the third largest bird collection in the world with over 620,000 specimens. Our National Collection, known in the ornithological literature by the acronym USNM (referring to our old name of United States National Museum), has representatives of about 85% of the approximately 9,600 known species in the world's avifauna. While the majority of these specimens consists of study skins, we also manage skeletal and anatomical (alcohol preserved) collections that are the largest in the world. Additional collections include egg sets, nests, and mounted skins. We are continuing to add about 1,500 specimens a year, many of them skeletons and fluid preserved anatomicals. In recent years tissues frozen in liquid nitrogen have also been preserved and are stored at the Molecular Systematics Laboratory. The Division of Birds also holds almost 4,000 type specimens upon which original taxonomic descriptions were based. In addition to the dry collections, see the special bird collections and facilities including the liquid preserved specimens in the fluid room and the skeletal collections.
Location: Vert Prep Room Instructor: TBA Topic: Preparing bird and mammal study skins * Saturday, 10 June 2000 * OPEN
* Sunday, 11 June 2000 * OPEN - - - Week 2 Notes - - -
* * * WEEK 3 * * *
- - - ENTOMOLOGY - - - Entomology is that branch of zoology that deals specifically with insects and their relatives, including centipedes, millipedes, and spiders. This immense assemblage constitutes approximately 95 percent of the known animal species of the world. NMNH entomological research focuses primarily on collection based investigations and systematics in the broadest sense. Entomologists from two other federal agencies work so closely with colleagues and specimens at the Museum that they are permanently stationed at the Smithsonian. Entomologists from the US. Department of Agriculture focus primarily on pollinating insects and crop pests, while those from the US. Department of Defense focus on malaria-carrying mosquitoes References:
Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Speaker: Dr. Terry Erwin, Curator of Coleoptera. B.A. (1964), M.A. (1966) San Jose State College; Ph.D. (1969) University of Alberta. (phone: 202-357-2209). Topic: Life in the Canopy From the forest floor to the tops of the tallest trees tropical forest ecosystems are inhabited by millions of organisms. But how prolific is life in these environments? Using the canopy fogging technique to collect insect species Terry has found some 1,700 species inhabiting a single tree in Amazonia, and nearly all of them are new to science. Based on his counts, the diversity of life on Earth may exceed 30 million thereby greatly exceeding previous estimates of 5 - 10 million species. Readings & References: Notes: The group will meet in the Waldo Schmitt Room and then divide into two sets of 12 each. Tour includes two 30 minute presentations (10:30 - 11:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.). Topic: The National Entomological Collection The NMNH collection includes about 100,000 primary types. Annually between 900 to 1,200 transactions are processed in the Department including loans to other researchers, additions to the collections (accessions), and exchanges of specimens with other institutions. More than 200 researchers from around the world visit the collection each year. Readings & References: * Department of Entomology
Location: Sixth Floor, West Wing, Collection Range Guide: Scott Larcher (phone: 202-357-4108)
Part II Topic: The
Butterfly & Moth Collection Location: Lep Hall 29 Main Building, Second Floor, Mezzanine Guide: Marc Epstein (phone: 202-357-2844) Noon - 1:00 p.m. LUNCH BREAK
NOTE: Meet in the Constitution Avenue Lobby. The group will divide into two equal parts. Tour includes two 45 minute presentations (1:00 - 1:45 p.m. and 2:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Guide: Nancy Adams (phone: 202-357-1897) Topic I: The
East Court Entomology Collections See the beetles, flies, dragon files, and bees. Recently moved and now securely stored in new state-of-the art electric compactors, see the NMNH beetle collection - in all its diversity - and others. Learn what research questions are being answered by NMNH scientists studying the specimens.
Location: Cathy Kerby
Room Instructors: Warren Steiner
(phone: 202-357-2865) Topic: Insect Processing: collecting, labeling & sorting, pinning & spreading Malaise, flight intercept, yellow pan, and pitfall; sticky boards, black light and nest/rest sites; fogging, extracting, beating and swinging nets - learn the various methods employed to collect insects and practice sorting a mass collection. Insects can be mounted and preserved in various ways. Most specimens are pinned, and once dried will keep indefinitely. Specimens too small to pin are usually mounted on "paper points," or microscope slides. Large and showy insects, such as butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, dragonflies, and others should have their wings spread on one or both sides. Soft body forms (nymphs, larvae) should be fixed and preserved in fluids. Pinning and spreading techniques will be demonstrated and participants given the opportunity to pin/spread various types of insects. Location: Entomology
Illustration Lab Instructors: George Venable (phone: 202-357-1466) Topic: Computer Assisted Illustration * Tuesday, 13 June 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH * Wednesday, 14 June 2000 * 9:00 a.m. noon : RESEARCH
Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Speaker: Dr. Vicki Funk, Director, Biological Diversity of the Guianas program and Curator of Botany. B.S. (1969), M.S. (1975), Ph. D. (1980) Ohio State University. (phone: 202-357-2560). Topic: Cladistics Taxonomy classes often teach that systematics is concerned with grouping and ranking. Actually systematics and systematists are concerned with two levels of grouping: the grouping of individuals (into species), and the grouping of these individuals. There are, therefore, two categories, species and groups of species. Phylogenetic systematics, also called cladistics, answers questions such as which taxa are more closely related in any given group of three or more individuals? To understand cladistics you need to be able to answer: What are apomorphies, synapomorphies, and autapomorphies? How do the concepts of monophyly affect our studies? What is parsimony and how does it differ from other tree building methods? How do you determine the "sister" group and the "out" group? Do "artificial" systems work? Do geologists have ANY use for this technique . . . Meet the "Yowies" and practice your cladistics on these unusual animals from Australia. Readings & References: * Cladistic Methods
by V.A. Funk.
Location: RTP Workroom Topic: Poster Stuffing Pizza Party What is "Poster Stuffing?" Quickly becoming a tradition, it's the RTP class of 2000's chance to "connect" to the Year 2001 RTP by preparing the recruitment mailing to 7,500+ destinations around the world. Label sets are available for each RTP participant. Sets contain about 240 address labels. The goal is to attach labels to envelopes provided before the social including stamping "AIR MAIL" on envelopes going to non-US destinations. Yes, sets may be traded to accommodate preferences in geographical locality. During the social, final mailing preparation (stuffing Year 2001 posters in the pre-prepared envelopes) will be completed and envelopes mailed. Pizza will be served at the conclusion of the event to celebrate completion!
* Thursday, 15 June 2000 * 9:00
a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH * Friday, 16 June 2000 * - - - INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY - - - Invertebrate Zoology is the science that deals with the study of animals without backbones such as the shrimps, crabs, sponges, corals, worms, jellyfishes, snails, and squids. The Department of Invertebrate Zoology is one of the older departments in the Smithsonian Institution. In 1856--just 10 years after the belated founding of the Institution and 23 years before the first Congressional mention of the United States National Museum--Assistant Smithsonian Secretary Spencer F. Baird established the "Department of Invertebrates" as headquarters for William Stimpson on the his return from the North Pacific Exploring Expedition. Research in the department focuses on systematics, distribution, relationships, and ecology of invertebrate animals other than insects. The collections are grouped in four separate segregated parts: Crustacea; Echinoderms, Sponges, Cnidaria; Mollusks; and Worms. References: Kristian Fauchald,
Invertebrate Vertebrate Zoology Chairman
Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Speaker: Dr. Clyde Roper, Research Zoologist, Curator of Mollusks. Adjunct Lecturer in Biological Sciences, George Washington University. Adjunct Professor, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Miami. B.A. (1959) Transylvania University; M.S. (1962), Ph.D. (1967) Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Miami. Topic: Science and the Giant Squid The giant squid has been the stuff of legends for centuries. But this "sea monster" has been seen - though rarely, and always dead or dying - in the deep-sea nets of commercial fisherman, washed up on beaches, or in the stomachs of sperm whales. Called Architeuthis, the giant squid reaches a length of 60 feet and is the largest known invertebrate animal to ever live on Earth. Clyde is a world-renowned expert on cephalopods, including the giant squid. Searching the waters off the coast of New Zealand using underwater listening devices, called hydrophones, Clyde and his team have tracked sperm whales to search out the giant squid. They have explored the depths using submersibles. Yet so far the living squid has eluded scientists. "The deep sea ecosystem is the largest and least understood on this planet" explains Roper but until he brings home a Museum specimen for scientists to study, he will keep looking!
Notes: The group will meet in the Waldo Schmitt Room and then divide into three sets of six each. Tour includes four 10 minute presentations (10:30 - 10:40 a.m., 10:45 - 10:55 a.m., 11:00 - 11:10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.). Everyone will meet at the Coral counter at 11:15 a.m. for a showing of the coral collection. Part I Topic: The
Crustacea Collection Location: Crustacean
Collection Guide: Brian Kensley (phone: 202-357-4666)
Location: The Worm
Collection Guide: Cheryl Bright (phone: 202-357-4687)
Location: Echinoderm
Collection Guide: Cindy Ahearn (phone: 202-786-2125) Location: Coral Counter Guide: Steve Cairns (phone: 202-786-2129)
* Collecting Invertebrates
Location: Director's
Conference Room Topic: Assessing your summer. Join NMNH Associate Director for Research and Collections, Ross Simons, for an informal "brown bag" lunch discussion about your summer here at NMNH and participation in the RTP. Drinks and dessert provided! Invited participants: Sudha Arunachalam, Melanie Mann, June Rubis, Hector Angarita, Andrew Farke, Erik Martin, and Jarod Raithel.
Location: SEM Lab (Room 16, Main Building) Notes: The group will meet in the Constitution Avenue Lobby - no more than six per group. There are two tour options 1:00 - 1:25 p.m. and 1:30 - 2:00 p.m. Speaker: Carla Dove Topic: Feather Identification Research and The NMNH Scanning Electron Microscope Historically, rudimentary
microscopy can be traced to the first century AD, but it wasn't until
the 17th century that the use of glass lenses to bend light rays, and
to magnify the fine details of specimens, led to recorded scientific advancement.
Generally, the light microscope is limited to the observation of objects which are at least partially transparent to the beam of light and, thus, is primarily applicable to the observation of "thin" specimens. Opaque objects or specimens for which observations of surface morphology are desired may be observed under a light microscope using reflected light. However, resolution in the light microscope is limited primarily by the wave nature of light. To achieve higher resolution, an electron source is used. An electron source (TEM or SEM) emits a beam of electrons, which is focused by an electromagnetic condenser lens onto the specimen. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) utilizes a focused beam of high energy electrons that systematically scans across the surface of the specimen. The interaction of the beam with the specimen produces a large number of signals at or near the specimen surface. These low level electrons are drawn to a positively biased detector system, converted to an electronic signal, which is then portrayed on a cathode ray tube. Talk to Carla about her research using the SEM to identify bird species based on their feather morphology. Learn how feather identification can be a critical tool in solving mysteries from aviation disasters to murders.
Location: Anthropology
Seminar Room Guide: Dave Hunt (phone: 202-786-2501) Topic: The Physical Anthropology Collections - maladies, mummies & murder The Department of Anthropology's collections consists of over 2.5 million specimens from all over the world. The Terry Collection is a collection of 1,728 documented specimens of known age, sex, race, stature, etc. of modern Black and White Americans. See "The Terry Collection," "Mummy Storage," and "The Conservation Lab." Meet "Soap Man" and the shrunken heads. Readings & References: * Department of Anthropology
* Saturday, 17 June 2000 * OPEN
* Sunday, 18 June 2000 * OPEN
-
- - Week 3 Notes - - -
* * * WEEK 4 * * * * Monday, 19 June 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH * Tuesday, 20 June 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - noon. : RESEARCH * PAYDAY *
Location: Botany
Seminar Room Speakers: Barrett Brooks
(phone: 202-357-2758) Topic: Preparing presentation slides using Power Point / Photographing specimens Not just how to take pretty pictures and make "neat" colorful slides, learn how to prepare effective text slides in scientific format and talk to the experts to learn their tricks for capturing good images of museum specimens that highlight the unique characters relevant to science presentations. Demonstrations will include how to use the RTP camera and common-use copy stand. NOTES: There will be two sessions; noon - 12:30 and 12:30 - 1:00. No more than 10 people per session. Bring your questions and examples.
* Wednesday, 21 June 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - noon : RESEARCH noon - 1:30 p.m. : LUNCH DISCUSSION - host: Smithsonian Senate of Scientists Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Panelists: Liz Zimmer
(phone: 301-238-3444) Topic: Lunch with Scientists - Graduate School Insights. Representatives from various Smithsonian units will be available to answer questions and provide insight into the "graduate school game." Panelists will present short (5-10 minute) introductions about their specialty then answer general questions from students. Next panelists will move to separate tables. Students will join the individual discussions whose panelists they are most interested in. Students are free to move to different tables to gain insight into different fields of study. This discussion answers: How to determine which is the best graduate school. If you should attend the school with the best reputation or the best advisor for your career interests. If you should get your Masters degree first or go directly into a Ph.D. program. And, if you are ready for graduate school. Questions to ask yourself: "Why go on to grad school?" "How should I apply to programs?" "What do programs look for in students - GRE statements, reference letters, inquisitions, and fiery hoops?" "Who might serve as my advisor?" "What should I explore?" "What are the program's strengths and weaknesses?" Here are some suggestions for surviving grad school:
* Applying to graduate
school.
* Thursday, 22 June 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - noon. : RESEARCH Location: Education
Conference Room Speaker: Dr. Jonathan
Coddington, Curator of Arachnids and Myriapods. B.A. (1975) Yale;
M.A. (1978), Ph.D. (1984) Harvard University. (phone: 357-4148). Biological systematics is badly in need of growing. The roughly 1.4 million species of living organisms known to date are probably fewer that 15% of the actual number and some estimates show that this figure could be as low as 2% of the Earth's biota.
For the first part of the discussion learn how Jon Coddington addresses these issues by using spiders as a study organism. Then engage in a discussion about how to analyzing your data including the advantages and disadvantages of standard and up-and-coming methods.
http://www.statsoft.com/textbook/stathome.html
Students, It's time for your mid-program review. - Schedule a one hour meeting with your advisor to: 1) discuss your project
* Friday, 23 June 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH
* Saturday, 24 June 2000 * H
a p p y B i r t h d a y OPEN * Sunday, 25 June 2000 * OPEN - - - Week 4 Notes - - - 1) Students: about the final report & final presentation.... NOW you should be:
* * * WEEK 5 * * * * Monday, 26 June 2000 * - - - MINERALOGY - - - Planet Earth is the home upon which life as we know it exists, and its resources arekey to our modern society, so understanding Earth history and processes--"the record in the rocks"--is a fundamentally important human activity. The past 40 years have witnessed two scientific revolutions in that understanding of our planet. First we have come to learn that Earth is a dynamic planet, and the seemingly quiet and hospitable outer portion that we live on--the crust--is in constant motion as a result of steady churning in the very hot interior. This concept, called Plate Tectonics, provides a global framework that explains the distribution of earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain belts, and even mineral deposits. The second and more recent revolution is only now beginning to be appreciated, namely that our planet has in its distant past suffered numerous giant meteorite impacts whose violence, scale, and consequences are beyond any direct human experience. The mission of the Department of Mineral Sciences is to study the origin and evolution of the Earth and Solar System, Earth processes and their products, and the effects of geologic and meteoritic phenomena on Earth's atmosphere and biosphere. We disseminate the results of our research both to the scientific community through scholarly publications and to the public through exhibits, electronic media, and public lectures. We have in our care premier research collections of minerals, meteorites, rocks, ores, and volcano data/images. We strive to maximize their availability to the scientific community, and we use specimens from these collections to best effect in our own research and exhibits.
References:
Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Speaker: Dr. Mike Wise, Mineralogist. B.A. (1979) University of Virginia; Ph. D. (1987) University of Manitoba. (phone: 202-786-2609). Topic: Nature's giant treasure chest: Pegmatites. Many of the important gem minerals seen in today's market - aquamarine, tourmaline, and topaz, among others - come from an unusual type of rock known as a pegmatite. Gem-bearing pegmatites are crystalline igneous rocks that are distinguished by their large-size crystals, concentrations of certain chemical elements otherwise rare in the earth's crust, and various unusual minerals. Learn what type of research questions Mineralogists answer and the relationships between geology and biology. Readings & References: * Gem-bearing pegmatites: a review
Notes: The group will meet in the Waldo Schmitt Room and then divide into two sets of twelve each. Tour includes two 30 minute presentations (10:30 - 11:00 a.m. and 11:05 - 11:35 a.m.)
Location: Hall 21/22
Collection Room Guides: Meteorites provide invaluable clues to the origin and evolution of our Solar System, and meteorite scientists are almost completely dependent on a small number of major meteorite collections for research materials. The U.S. National Meteorite Collection, is one the largest and one of the best museum-based collections of meteorites in the world. James Smithson, who donated the funds for the founding of the Smithsonian Institution, was a chemist and mineralogist by training and his original collection included meteorites. Regrettably, these samples were lost in an early fire. The modern meteorite collection began in 1870 and now numbers more than 17,000 specimens of more than 9,250 distinct meteorites. In addition, the National Collection houses almost 7,000 polished thin sections - thin wafers of rock mounted on glass and used for studying the mineralogy and texture of the rocks. These meteorites are available for study by qualified scientific investigators. While the collection contains pieces of every type of meteorite, it is particularly strong in iron meteorites. We also have 7 of the 13 known Martian meteorites. Many of our best specimens are on exhibit in the Moon, Meteorites and Solar System Gallery of the Geology, Gems and Minerals Hall. The National Rock and Ore Collections are divided into subcollections, and the specimens within each are indexed and retrievable by lithology, locality, museum catalog number, metal/commodity, or volcano name when appropriate, and many are retrievable by original field number and donor name. Many are mentioned specifically in publications, have thin sections available, and/or include a chemical analysis in the database. Because the collection is always expanding, the subcollection number estimates are subject to change. The subcollections include: Locality, Volcanological Reference, Ore, Seafloor Rocks, Ultramafic Xenoliths, Petrographic Reference, Lithologic Reference, Petrologic Features, Island Rocks, Building Stones, Fulgurites, Impactites, Drill Cores.
Location: East Wing
Basement Guide: Tim Rose (phone: 202-357-1818) A hands-on demonstration of the large saw used to section rock materials.
* Tuesday, 27 June 2000 * H
a p p y B i r t h d a y
Location: NASM Briefing Room Topic: Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Social The Smithsonian annual Intern Ice Cream Social will draw interns from throughout the institution to enjoy donated goodies from Ben & Jerry's. Be sure to sign up on the chart so enough ice cream can be ordered. In addition to meeting other interns the Smithsonian Secretary is expected to stop by for a visit. * Wednesday, 28 June 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - noon : RESEARCH Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Topic: Funding and Career Opportunities. Where can you find sources of funding to support your research? Who funds natural history research? Who can apply for funding from the Smithsonian Office of Fellowships and Grants and what do the grants cover? How do you apply for a Smithsonian job? What types of careers are available in natural history? Representatives from various Smithsonian units and local funding centers will be available to answer your questions and provide insight into developing an on-going relationship with the Smithsonian and natural history research. Each panelist will present a short (10 -15 minutes) review of their area. The panel, as a group, will then address common questions through a 15 - 20 minute question/answer discussion. The session will conclude with panelists dividing into specific work groups for individual questions and discussions. Readings & References: * Applying for Smithsonian
jobs
* Thursday, 29 June 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH * 4:00 p.m. : ITEMS DUE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
* Friday, 30 June 2000 * - - - PALEOBIOLOGY - - - Paleobiology is the study of fossils as once living organisms. It includes paleobotany (ancient plants), paleozoology (study of fossil animals), further divided into vertebrate paleontology (animals with backbones) and invertebrate paleontology (animals without backbones). Paleoecologists seek to reconstruct the conditions of the geologic past to understand the environment in which the prehistoric plants and animals lived. Research in the Department of Paleobiology focuses on how long-term physical changes of ancient global geography and climate have affected the evolution of plants and animals, how ecosystems have responded to these changes, and how these responses have affected today's patterns of biodiversity. Researchers hope to predict what the future effect of ongoing global changes, whether natural or human-induced, might be. References:
Location: Cooper
Room Speaker: Dr. Doug Erwin, Research Paleobiologist and Curator of Paleozoic Mollusks. A.B. (1980) Colgate University, Ph. D. (1985) University of California, Santa Barbara. (phone: 202-357-2053). Topic: Mass Extinctions: life and death beyond the Permian Disaster struck 250 million years ago when the worst decimation in the earth's history occurred. Called the end-Permian mass extinction, it marks a fundamental change in the development of life. The history of life on earth is replete with catastrophes of varying magnitudes. The one that has captured the most attention is the extinction of the dinosaurs and other organisms 65 million years ago - at the "K T boundary" between the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods - which claimed up to half of all species. As severe as that devastation was, it pales in comparison to the greatest disaster of them all: THE Mass Extinction, some 250 million years ago, at the end of the Permian period in which about 90% of all species in the oceans disappeared and about 70% of the land vertebrates went extinct. Even the insects suffered - this is the event that almost eliminated cockroaches. What caused the extinctions? Was it a volcanic eruption, methane bubble, comet impact, a combination of factors, or some yet undetermined event? Did the extinctions occur over millions of years or quickly, possibly in less than 10,000 years? Driven by curiosity about the events that structure life's evolutionary patterns, Doug Erwin has been particularly interested in this mass extinction event. How much do mass extinctions contribute to the evolution of a group, as compared with long-term adaptive trends? Did certain species
survive by pure chance or were there certain adaptive features that help
in their survival? Would creatures that survived look any different today
had it not been for the end-Permian extinction? Does extinction drive
Evolution? Drawing from his research experience Doug will discuss the end-Permian extinction and provide some insight into research questions that are being asked, and answered, based on his findings.
* Erwin, D.E. 1996.
The Mother of Mass Extinctions. Scientific American 275(1): 72-78. Location: Cooper
Room Notes: The group will first meet in the Cooper Room for a slide review of the Burgess Shale then divide into three sets of six for three 15 minute presentations (10:40 - 10:55 a.m.; 11:00 - 11:15; and 11:20 - 11:35 a.m.).
Guides: Doug Erwin
(phone: 202-357-2053) The Cambrian (marked as 543 - 460 myo as a result of recent investigations by Erwin with collecgues at MIT) is characterized by abundant marine invertebrates with trilobites dominating the scene. From 575-544 myo organisms typically had no mouth or limbs. Then about 530 myo there was an explosion of diversity founding the ancestors of all the major organisms on earth today. A mud slide during the Cambrian, covered an interesting array of soft-bodied creatures which were preserved in pristine condition and lay untouched until 1909 when Dr. Walcott, fourth Secretary of the Smithsonian, happened upon the site while vacationing with his family in the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia looking for trilobites. Walcott eventually collected 65,000 specimens from the site, many of which are now part of NMNH's Paleobiology collection. Two features make the Burgess Shale unique among deposits of invertebrate fossils. First, the very fine
mud preserved not only hard body parts such as shells, but also soft tissues
such as antennae, eyes, gills, Second, this exquisitely preserved community existed during one of the most enigmatic episodes in the history of life, when almost all the major groups of animals evolved. See creatures such as Ophbinia, Anamalocaris (which grew to lengths of 1 meter) , Hallucigenia, Wiwaxia, and also Pikaia which was once considered to be the "great great ..... grandmother" of all vertebrates is now, thanks to a recent article in Science, only one of several other cordates known from the Cambrian.
Guide: Bob Purdy (phone: 202-357-1525) The NMNH paleo collections count about 4 million specimens. The vertebrate fossils may have survived for many millions of years deep underground, encased in rock matrix, but once removed, one of the key responsibilities of museum professionals is to care for the fossils' preservation. They are sensitive to vibrations and to changes in temperature and humidity. NMNH technicians developed plaster jackets to help protect specimens. See fossilized sloth dung, preserved mammoth tissue, and shark teeth. Collections are arranged in both a biologic and stratigraphic series.
Guide: Amanda Ash (phone: 202-357-4030) Most of the plants that populate the world today are angiosperms - or flowering plants - which did not evolve until approximately 130 million years ago. The history of plants, however, goes back over another 250 million years. The vast NMNH paleobotany collection aids scientists in the study of plant evolution in general and more specifically in the study of the diversification of flowering plants. With over a half a million specimens, the paleobotany collection contains a range of fossils from some of the first Devonian land plants to cleared and stained slides of recently living plants. See fossil tree ferns from the great Carboniferous swamps of Texas, fossil palm trees from Wyoming, petrified wood from Yellowstone National Park, and 35 million year old petrified nuts and seeds from Oregon. Learn how paleobotanists use these collections to draw conclusions about past climate and rainfall. Readings & References: * Department of Paleobiology
Location: Cooper
Room Topic: Lunch Break Option Bring your lunch and relax. Location: Cooper
Room Topic: Paleobiology Dessert Social Take a few minutes
to talk to members from the Department of Paleobiology community about
the collections, their job duties, research investigations, etc.. Dessert
provided! Location: Paleo Vertebrate
Prep Laboratory Instructors: Steve Jabo
(phone: 202-357-2221) Learn about the tools used to remove the rock and sediment from fossils, the methods used to prepare molds and casts of fossils to provide duplicates to other institutions, and the production of padded storage jackets for large specimens. Try the techniques and talk to the experts. Location: Cathy Kerby
Seminar Room Instructor: Finnegan Marsh (phone: 202-786-2062 Topic: Tips and Ideas for Presenting Science Images See spectacular computer images of plant fossils and learn how to create professional quality images of science subject matter for scholarly communication. * Saturday, 1 July 2000 * H
a p p y B i r t h d a y OPEN * Sunday, 2 July 2000 * OPEN - - - Week 5 Notes - - -
* * * WEEK 6 * * * * Monday, 3 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH
* Tuesday, 4 July 2000 * - - - H O L I D A Y - - - OPEN * Wednesday, 5 July 2000 * - - - EXHIBITS - - - 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. : EXHIBITS TOUR - host: Raissa Menendez Location: Rotunda
at the Elephant Topic: VIKINGS: The North Atlantic Saga VIKINGS: The North Atlantic Saga tells the dramatic story of the Viking expansion west across the North Atlantic between AD 800 and 1000, which resulted in the settlement of Iceland and Greenland and the exploration and brief settlement of northeastern North America, 500 years before the arrival of Columbus. This exhibition gathers together, from nine different countries some of the greatest treasures and recent archaeological discoveries from Viking age, and follows the westward path on the 1000th anniversary of their landing in North America. Join research scientist and exhibit creator Bill Fitzhugh for a personalized tour of the exhibit and learn his insights into a scientists challenge of creating exhibits and sharing research with the public.
Location: Johnson
IMAX Theater Topic: Galapagos - an IMAX film adventure Born of volcanic
eruptions and isolated by 600 miles of ocean, the Galapagos Islands are
truly a world unto themselves. The Smithsonian Institution and IMAX Ltd.
will take you on an incredible 3D journey to a land of stunning beauty
and mystery. Armed with the most advanced scientific equipment, Smithsonian
marine biologist Dr. Carole Baldwin and a group of international researchers
take you on an amazing voyage of discovery. Through the power of IMAX®
3D you will be right there with the team as they examine biological diversity
and habitats of the Galapagos and are introduced to such amazing animals
as giant tortoises, marine iguanas, playful sea lions and the deep water
goosefish. Plunge 3,000 feet beneath the surface of the ocean in a futuristic
high-tech submersible to observe unusual forms of aquatic life as never
before seen by the human eye. See the film GALAPAGOS complements of Director Fri. Watch the diverse tapestry of life unfold as you follow Carole's adventures on a land/undersea expedition to the Galapagos Islands. On land, come face-to-face with giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and unusual birds that have evolved into splendid oddities of nature. Under water meet new species of marine life and explore caverns buried beneath the sea.
Location: Exhibits
Design and Production Lab Guide: Denise Nelson (phone: 202-786-2799) Topic: Designing and Building Museum Exhibits Tour the spaces where our exhibits are designed and produced. Meet some of the folks responsible for the exhibits and find out what goes on behind the scenes.
Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Speaker: Carole Baldwin Museum Specialist. B.S. (1981) James Madison University, M.S. (1986) College of Charleston, Ph.D. (1992)) College of William and Mary. (phone: 202- 633-9179). Topic: Communicating research through public exhibitions - Galapagos IMAX film. Even the National Science Foundation - the major funding agency for curiosity-driven research in the science, mathematics, engineering and technology fields - requires each funded investigator to provide general audience summaries of the research supported and to elaborate on its connectivity to other applications. Scientists of today must be creative to succeed! To do so many scientists are turning the tables on the traditional methods of pursuing research endeavors. Instead of seeking funding solely for their scholarly research, they are working with exhibit designers and media producers on made-for-the public products such as exhibitions, films, and electronic web-based products. By doing so they often earn all-expense paid trips to research destinations and access to state-of-the-art equipment. The successful are sought after, as expert advisors, instead of experts desperately seeking funds. The 3-D IMAX film GALAPAGOS about biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands stars Ichthyologist and NMNH Museum Specialist Dr. Carole Baldwin. Although at times tedious, participating in the film project provided Carole "an all-expense paid collecting opportunity and the chance to make collections from a submersible." During the filming she discovered many new species of fish, especially deep-water fishes taken from the Johnson Sea Link submersible but what compromises did she have to accept? How did she get this opportunity? Talk to Carole and learn her insights into conducting research as part of made-for-the-public initiatives.
* Thursday, 6 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH * Friday, 7 July 2000 * H
a p p y B i r t h d a y
Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Speaker: Dr. Kevin deQueiroz. Associate Curator. B.A. (1978) University of California, Los Angeles; M.S. (1985) San Diego State University; Ph. D. (1989) University of California, Berkeley. (phone: 202-357-2212). Topic: What is a species? How many different "characters" does it take to distinguish a species? Are species concepts different in different disciplines (paleo to modern, anthropology to other VZ, etc.)? Species, genus, sub-species: does it really matter what you call something? Kevin de Queiroz will discuss the species concept and how nomenclature relates to scientific research. Bring your questions! Readings & References: * Species Concepts/Definitions
of various authors Location: Director's
Conference Room Topic: Assessing your summer. Join NMNH Associate Director for Research and Collections, Ross Simons, for an informal "brown bag" lunch discussion about your summer here at NMNH and participation in the RTP. Drinks and dessert provided! Invited participants: Amanda Albright, Matthew Brandley, Stephanie Fuentes, Matthew Jackson, Emilie Miller, Chad Schennum, and Stephanie Schroeder.
NOTE: Meet in the Constitution Avenue. The group will divide into two equal parts. Tour includes two 45 minute presentations (1:00 - 1:45 p.m. and 2:00 - 2:45 p.m. Location: CAT Scan
Lab Guide: Bruno Frohlich (phone: 202-786-2698) Through the generosity of Siemens Medical Systems Inc., medical technology has revolutionized how the Museum conducts research on its collections. The Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) scanner allows researchers to perform a "visual surgery" to determine the internal structure of precious museum objects without physically disturbing them. The CAT scanner produces non-invasive X-ray images of the inner structure of artifacts in hundreds of thin slices. Computers then allow scientists to twist and turn the images to study them from any angle. Because the data are computerized, natural history scientists from around the world can access the scan data. The Museum's CAT scanner has been used to study a wide range of objects, including Egyptian and Jordanian tomb artifacts; Bronze Age pottery, stone and wood tools; dinosaur fossils, human remains; fossilized plants and insects; and even rare book bindings.
Location: Insect
Zoo Guide: Nate Erwin (phone: 202-357-1386) Discover how the efficacy of an exhibit is measured and what is currently understood about visitor interpretaion of an exhibit. See behind-the-scenes of the Museum's very popular exhibit, The O. Orkin Insect Zoo. Talk to the Lab Manager, Nate Erwin about managing live specimens in public exhibits and see the behind-the-scenes operations to keep the exhibits "public viewing ready" each day.
* Saturday, 8 July 2000 * OPEN * Sunday, 9 July 2000 * OPEN -
- - Week 6 Notes - - -
* * * WEEK 7 * * * * Monday, 10 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH
* Tuesday, 11 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH * Wednesday, 12 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - noon : RESEARCH Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Speaker: Dr. W. John Kress, Associate Curator, Department of Botany. B.A. (1975) Harvard University; Ph.D. (1981) Duke University. (phone: 202-357-3392). Topic: Communicating research through scientific presentations. Scientific presentation, poster session, keynote speech or popular lecture - how do you determine the best means to communicate the results of your research? Are all scientific meetings the same? How important is it to stick to the time allowed? What are the typical "parts" of a standard 15 minute presentation? How much time should be reserved for each part? Are the "rules" different in different disciplines? For the first half
of the discussion John Kress will review the RTP research presentation
session and answer questions about communicating research results to general
and professional audiences. He will then give a 15 minute sample research
presentation following the discussed format for critique by students.
The RTP presentations details include:
Despite interns with heart conditions and serious stage fright, there has never been the need to call for medical assistance as a result of student presentations! "You've spent nine weeks learning about something, you can spend 10 minutes telling others about it - no matter what that nervous monster inside you keeps saying. You are the expert, just tell your audience what you know. And, don't be afraid to say "I don't know." - that's how science grows."
* Annolt, R.H. 1994.
Dazzle'em with style: the oral art of scientific presentation. WH Freeman
200p.
* Thursday, 13 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH
* Friday, 14 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH
* Saturday, 15 July 2000 * H
a p p y B i r t h d a y
* Sunday, 16 July 2000 * OPEN
- - - Week 7 Notes - - - * * * WEEK 8 * * * * Monday, 17 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH
* Tuesday, 18 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH * PAYDAY * * Wednesday, 19 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - noon. : RESEARCH Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Panelists: Lynne Parenti
(phone: 202-357-3313) Topic: Communicating research results through publication. Scientific paper, monograph, book or popular article - how do you determine the best means to communicate research results? Are all scientific journals the same? How important is publishing in a "peer reviewed" journal. What determines "co-authorship" compared to "acknowledgment." Do the "rules" change as you progress from undergraduate to graduate student to post doc to career tenure? NMNH researchers from different science disciplines, and with differing views, will discuss their experiences on where, when, and how to publish research results. Each panelist will present a short (5 minutes) review of their area of specialty. The panel, as a group, will then address common questions through a 15 minute question/answer discussion. The session will conclude with panelists dividing into specific work group for individual questions and discussions.
* Thursday, 20 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH
* Friday, 21 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH * 4:00 p.m. : ITEMS DUE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
*
Saturday, 22 July 2000 *
* Sunday, 23 July 2000 * OPEN
- - - Week 8 Notes - - - * * * WEEK 9 * * * * Monday, 24 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH
* Tuesday, 25 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH
* Wednesday, 26 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH
* Thursday, 27 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH Final version of
research summaries for funding reports & web pages
* Friday, 28 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - noon : STUDENT/ADVISOR OPTION a) Research b) Presentation Prelims Practice version of research talk presented to Department reps for critique & comment - rooms not reserved, advisors will need to confirm time & room reservation.
Location: Waldo Schmitt
Room Topic: The Year 2001 Program - "your" ideas Here is an opportunity to share ideas and experiences with RTP staff concerning the design and content of the Year 2001 RTP. Topics to be addressed include: activities and events that were particularly outstanding; projects and advisors that were particularly successful; and suggestions and comments for curriculum improvements, status of the financial award, and the selection process.
Waldo Schmitt Room
available * Saturday, 29 July 2000 * 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. : STUDENT/ADVISOR OPTION
Waldo Schmitt Room
available
* Sunday, 30 July 2000 * 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. : STUDENT/ADVISOR OPTION
Waldo Schmitt Room
available
- - - Week 9 Notes - - -
Week
1 |
Week 2 |
Week 3 |
Week 4 |
Week 5 |
Week 6 |
Week 7 * * * WEEK 10 * * * * Monday, 31 July 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - noon : STUDENT/ADVISOR OPTION
Practice version of research talk presented to Department reps for critique & comment - rooms not reserved, advisors will need to confirm time & room reservation.
Location: Director's
Conference Room Topic: Assessing your summer. Join NMNH Associate Director for Research and Collections, Ross Simons, for an informal "brown bag" lunch discussion about your summer here at NMNH and participation in the RTP. Drinks and dessert provided! Invited participants: Andrea Berger, Diana Chapa, Torsten Dikow, Kristofer Helgen, Tabitha Hensley, Elisa Maldonado, Tsitsi McPherson, and Raissa Menendez.
Location: Cathy Kerby
Seminar Room Topic: Research Presentations from Anthropology and Botany 1:00
- 1:10 p.m.
Introduction
Waldo Schmitt Room
available * Tuesday, 1 August 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. : RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS - host: Mary Sangrey Location: Cathy Kerby
Seminar Room Topic: Research Presentations from Vertebrate Zoology & Entomology 9:00
- 9:15 a.m.
Raissa Menendez (VZ- fishes, Bruce Collette advisor) Location: Cathy Kerby
Seminar Room Topic: Research Presentations from Geology & Invertebrate Zoology 1:00
- 1:15 p.m.
Diana Chapa (Paleobiology, Brian Huber advisor)
* Wednesday, 2 August 2000 * 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. : RESEARCH
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - * Thursday, 3 August 2000 * 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. : POSTER SESSION - host: Mr. Robert Fri, Director, NMNH and Mr. Ross Simons, Associate Director for Research & Collections Location: NMNH Director's
Office Hallway Topic: Research Poster Presentations In addition to publishing papers and giving oral talks, communicating research through poster presentations at scientific meetings is a common method of sharing the status of research topics. The RTP Poster Session, unlike many sessions at scientific meetings, will not be judged. Rather, this is an opportunity for students to learn from advisors the "tricks" of preparing effective poster presentations. The poster sessions also provide members from the NMNH community a chance to informally review the research topics conducted and talk casually with students about research interests and discoveries. Posters must be set-up by 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, 2 August 2000 and will remain on display until 30 September 2000. Each presenter will be assigned a 4' x 4' space on the wall along the Director's corridor. Space will be delineated by "Government Red Tape." Space assignments will follow discipline. All information must be attached directly to the wall using "poster gum" provided. Posted information should include an abstract of the research topic, posted in the upper left corner of the assigned space. All text must be readable from a distance of 4' (14pt. font or larger is recommended). The title of the poster presentation and the names of the research team should be prominent (large type) at the top of the assigned space. A color photocopy of the one-page "Research Summary" with a photo of the research team will also be posted in the assigned space. Scientific content is most important. Although presentation counts, keep it simple!
Location: NMNH Director's
Office Topic: Closing Reception An informal gathering
of residents from the NMNH community plus members from funding organizations.
Light refreshments available. noon. - 5:00 p.m. : PROJECT CLEARANCE * 4:00 p.m. : ITEMS DUE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1) Exit Clearance
Form Note: Schedule 10 minute meeting with Mary to review Exit Clearance and to surrender all Smithsonian property: -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - * Friday, 4 August 2000 * 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. : PROGRAM CLEARANCE * PAYDAY * - - - * 4:00 p.m. : ITEMS DUE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. : FREE TIME
* Saturday, 5 August 2000 * OPEN
* Sunday, 6 August 2000 * 10:00 a.m. Mandatory apartment check-out.
-
- - Week 10 Notes - - - Week
1 |
Week 2 |
Week 3 |
Week 4 |
Week 5 |
Week 6 |
Week 7 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Key Links to RTP Web Pages
Research
Training Program
Information |
Highlights
|
Alumni
Pages
Application
Process
|
Requirements |
Application
Status
Application
Form |
Cover
Letter Form |
Recommendation Form | Advisor
List
| NMNH Home | What's New ? | Calendar of Events | Information Desk | Search |
You are HERE. To continue select the next option.
Location:
Fern Counter
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.
1:45
- 2:30 p.m. DEMONSTRATION
11:05
a.m. - 5:15 p.m. : TOUR OPTION
Crammed
into a helicopter with many weeks worth of supplies the team of biologists
leave Caracas for base camp in the middle of the Venezuelan jungle. In
the distance, half-hidden in the fog and rain is Cerra de la Neblina,
discovered in 1953 (!), the fabled "mountain of the mist," a
world of virtually unexplored peaks and canyons laden with scientific
mysteries. 
The
herpetology division, which includes reptiles and amphibians, is the smallest
but one of the fastest growing of the four divisions in the Department
of Vertebrate Zoology. The first specimen was added to the collection
in 1835. The collection has grown to include about 525,000 catalogued
alcoholic specimens, including over 230,000 salamanders, 125,000 frogs,
100,000 lizards, 45,000 snakes plus caecilians, crocodilians, amphisbaenians,
turtles, and the tuatara. The collection also includes well over 9,000
types; plus histological microscope slides; dry or skeletal specimens;
"lots" of larval specimens; and cleared and stained specimens.
The division also maintains one of the largest collection of herpetological
reprints in the world. 
The
US National Fish Collection is the largest in the world, with approximately
500,000 lots (a lot consists of all specimens of a species from the same
time and place) totaling about 8 million specimens, including about 24,000
different taxa of the world's known/described species. 
Insects
are the dominant group of animals on the earth today. They have been around
since the Devonian (350 millions years) and comprise about 80% of all
animal life, including about 1 million species. The National Entomological
Collections include about 29 million specimens representing all orders
of insects (having three main body sections, six legs, and two antennae)
and arachnids (having two main body parts, eight legs, and no antennae
or wings). You may not meet all of them today but your guides welcome
you to return for a closer look and a more in-depth survey.
These
days shallow coastal waters can easily be explored with SCUBA gear. But
the Earth's most common environment, the deep sea - that covered by more
than a few hundred feet of water - is accessible to humans only by submersible.
The cold, dark, depths of the deep sea offers to the scientists one of
the most vastly unexplored regions on Earth harboring creatures yet to
be discovered and behaviors of well known organisms never before observed
by scientists.
Note:
The group will first participate in a 30 minute demonstration of "What
the bones tell" conducted in the Anthropology Seminar Room followed
by a tour of the physical anthropology collections. 
The
shortfall reaches from supposedly well-known groups to the most obscure.
Progress toward an overall knowledge of the Earth's biodiversity, and
the richness of individual species, has been slow but plays an important
role in addressing the immediate concerns of global loss of biodiversity
and conservation. There is growing recognition of the need for a crash
program to map biodiversity in order to plan for its conservation and
practical use. But what is the best way to proceed? Some say there is
a need for the ultimate full identification of everything. Others make
use of sampling methods which are generally rapid, reliable, rugged, simple
and cheap to estimate total species richness of a defined area. Then,
using estimates, such as Chao's and the Jackknife, calculate what they
missed. However, do these methods work? Is there a sampling bias? Are
the collecting methods efficient in predicting community populations?
Born
of fluid, heat, and pressure, minerals dazzle us with their breathtaking
colors and shapes and astonish us with their usefulness. They are forged
underground, where forces that have been at work for billions of years
continue to make more minerals. A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic
solid having a specific chemical composition. Most minerals occur as crystals.
Every crystal has an orderly, internal pattern of atoms, with a distinctive
way of locking new atoms into that pattern to repeat it again and again.
The internal arrangement of atoms determines the minerals' chemical and
physical properties, including color. Gems are mineral crystals that have
been cut and polished. Although almost any of the four thousand kinds
of minerals can be cut into gemstones, in practice most gems used in jewelry
come from only about 15 different minerals.
Topic:
Preparing Fossils for Research and Exhibition
Guide:
Bill Fitzhugh, Curator, North American Archaeology; Director, Arctic
Studies Center. B.A. (1964) Dartmouth College; M.A. (1967), Ph.D. (1970)
Harvard University. Arctic Studies Center. (phone: 202-357-2682)
Learning
to effectively communicate research to general audiences is not just a
researchers' tool - it's a necessity to survival in today's scientific
community. Securing funding to pursue pure research topics is no longer
"easy" and "free of obligation." Most often major
funders for research, such as foundations and corporations, are not experienced
scientists. Explaining why the research is important, understanding the
broad scope of how the results could benefit other science disciplines
and human resources, and utilizing different media to share scientific
insights is not a goal of the future but today's reality.