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Volunteer
Opportunities at the Museum of the Earth and PRI
·
Collections
Our collection contains approximately 3 million specimens, making
it the 7th largest collection in the country. Each year, even more
private and scientific collections are donated and assistance is
needed in order to manage the ever-growing number of specimens.
· Prep Lab
The Prep Lab is a very exciting part of the Museum because you and
the public will see progress being made every day. This area is
designed to give the visitor a window into the world of a paleontologist
by allowing them to observe the preparation of specimens. It will
give you an opportunity to learn how to conserve and prepare fossils
as well as learn what types of tools and materials are needed for
such work.
· Library/Archives
Our library of over 60,000 volumes focuses on paleontology, geology
and natural history. The Wells Rare Book Room houses an important
collection of books on corals, mollusks, and foraminiferans. Our
oldest volume dates back to 1684. Help is needed in general library
upkeep, organization of volumes and the restoration of old books.
In addition to our library, we have an extensive collection of photographic
and glass slides, photos and memorabilia from PRI Directors and
other notable scientists. Help is needed in organizing and in writing
short histories of the different collections.
· Education
The Education Department at the Museum is responsible for museum
programming. Docents are needed to facilitate inquiry-based learning
in the museum's interactive labs, tours and classroom program. Docents
will be working with a variety of audiences, such as school groups,
community groups and other museum visitors. There are many on-going
volunteer opportunities, as well as, one-day educational events,
that will need extra docent support. Training will be provided so
that docents have a good understanding of both paleontology and
the Museum of the Earth.
· Operations
The Museum is a flurry of activity with not only Museum visitors,
but facility rentals and events as well. Assistance is needed for
event preparation duties such as setting up tables and chairs for
events, assistance with event facilitation, greeting visitors as
they arrive. The Operations team would love to have some volunteer
assistance with fulfilling the needs of facility rentals and events.
This also includes special events put on by other departments in
the institution.
· Exhibits
The Exhibits Department is responsible for updating and maintaining
the exhibits throughout the Museum. Our exhibits team is constantly
coming up with new ideas to improve the Museum. Work with the exhibits
team and help build new permanent exhibits, set-up and break-down
temporary exhibits and play a role in enhancing the visitor experience.
· Development and Public Relations
The Development and PR Department is actively working toward increasing
exposure and interest in the Museum on a continual basis. Volunteers
are needed to help with various mailings, collecting feedback from
our visitors, compiling survey results and much more. Learn how
non-profit institutions function and grow.
· Administration
The Paleontological Research Institution, like any non-profit institution,
functions like a business. Administrative help is needed in all
of our departments on a weekly basis.
Museum
of the Earth
Volunteer Training
The
Museum of the Earth offers volunteer training sessions for those
interested in helping the Museum bring the Earth to life. Volunteers
are needed for everything ranging from guiding visitors through
the Museum to helping out in the museum store, with opening events
and with Museum operations.
Upcoming
Volunteer Training Sessions
6-week Docent Training Seminar:
Starting late September 2005; contact Alicia
Reynolds for dates.
General
Orientations:
Contact Alicia Reynolds
for tours.
Prep-lab
Orientations:
Fourth Friday of every month starting at 3pm.
Volunteer
meetings and Continuing Education:
Second Thursday of every month.
Evolution
and Creationism: A Guide for Museum Docents
Interested
in Volunteering?
Contact Alicia Reynolds, Assistant Director of Museum Operations
reynolds@museumoftheearth.org
or 607-273-6623 ext. 13
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