Subject: Intern/Volunteer Project with the Department of Invertebrate Zoology
at the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum

Description:
Starting in January, 2014, the Department of Invertebrate Zoology will begin
to move specimen collections into recently renovated space at the museum. It
is desired to involve student assistance in our collection moves for several
reasons. Students working in our collections have a proven track record for
being a most competent, diligent and resourceful option for manpower to
accomplish the tasks at hand. Involving students gives them necessary
experience in handing collection specimens and allows them to apply
techniques they have learned to improve the conservation of our specimens.

The move of our various dry collections is a massive project that will take
approximately 3-5 years to complete. It involves collections both at the
museum downtown and at our remote storage facility in Suitland, MD. I have
some long-term volunteers that will help coordinate the move of this
collection and welcome additional assistance from interested students. I
think the project could accommodate the involvement of 2-3 students. If more
express interest I will make every effort to involve them in this move or
possibly other pre-move projects with other dry collections in the
department.

Lastly, the next collection in line to move is the fossil coral collection,
which is currently stored in Suitland, MD. I will need assistance based at
that facility and could conceivably start that process ahead of schedule if a
student was interested and willing to commute there.

National Museum of Natural History
Department of Invertebrate Zoology
10th & Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20560-0163




Contact Person: Tim Coffer
Contact Email: [log in to unmask]
Contact Phone Number: (202) 633-1761