2012 Adopt-A-Student Positions Available

See additional details about the Adopt-A-Student program for information on how to apply. Please note that projects may not be offered in all areas each year.

2006 Botany AAS

2006 Invert Zoology AAS

2006 Mineralogy AAS

2006 Paleobotany AAS

2006 Vertebrate Zoology AAS

Archaeology:

2012 Project: The project continues an ongoing study of the ancient enclosures built in Southern Ohio during the Early and Middle Woodland time periods. The student will assist in gathering basic descriptive information from modern and archived sources both in papers and documents in off site libraries and archives and in electronic media. This project will require a working ability with computer software to set up and analyze data tables and also the ability to read maps and text descriptions in varying formats. Some knowledge of the archaeology of the time periods is desirable. Understanding terms used in describing simple naked eye astronomical observation would also be desirable.

Botany:

2012 Project: Learn the methodology of plant community classification within Lake Erie coastal marshes and within Geneva Swamp, the largest and finest remnant of Elm-Ash-Maple Swamp Forest and Palustrine Sand Plains on the Lake Erie Lake Plain between Sandusky and the Pennsylvania line. The high quality wetlands within Geneva Swamp are the only large remnant of the wetland types which would have been present within the footprint of downtown Cleveland prior to settlement. Plant community plots within southern Lake Erie coastal marshes will be collected from Magee Marsh in Ottawa County east to Presque Isle State Park at Erie, Pennsylvania. Will need own transportation and should have a background in vascular plant identification and/or ecology. Experience with GPS a plus. Must be willing to do strenuous field work within shallow to two-foot deep wetlands.

Invertebrate Paleontology (Field Geology):

The 2012 project continues an ongoing study of the stone types used for millstones in Ohio and nearby states. The student will find, map, and determine the rock types of historic millstones. This project will require a knowledge of paleontology and petrology and will include off-site work in libraries and archives as well as at sometimes remote field localities. Applicants should be comfortable doing rigorous fieldwork, and should preferably have a vehicle to travel independently. Some knowledge of mills and millstones, such as the information in Hockensmith's The Millstone Industry (2009), would also be desirable.  Learn more

Invertebrate Zoology:

2012 Project: The project initiates an effort to understand the morphology and biology of immature praying mantises, which are prevalent in the environment and are rarely studied. With the morphology and habits of immature mantis differing from those of adults, we face a major limitation in understanding the morphological origins of adult features as well as our ability to identify immature mantises. To address this, the candidate will work with the curator and graduate students to characterize and track morphological post-embryonic development across a local praying mantis species as well as a number of previously collected tropical species. The successful student will conduct local fieldwork to observe and collect northern Ohio's mantis species and employ modern microscopy, imaging, and illustration tools to address our limited understanding of these important life stages. The student should have some familiarity with insect morphology, be willing to work in the field and have transportation, and have an interest in learning modern collection based techniques with attention to detail. Some knowledge of computer based illustration is desired.

Physical Anthropology:

2012 Project: This year's program involves traveling to Ethiopia to work on curation and preparation of paleontological fossil materials from the Woranso-Mille study area. The successful candidate will be given the opportunity to learn how to curate and prepare original fossil materials before detailed analysis is conducted. This experience will also give the student the opportunity to identify skeletal elements to specific taxonomic levels, laying the necessary background for future paleontological field and laboratory studies. Exposure to new society and exotic culture is also a bonus. A valid US passport is required.

Vertebrate Paleontology:

2012 Project: Join the ongoing Southern Alberta Dinosaur Research Project, continuing research into Late Cretaceous dinosaur evolution. The successful candidate will become a student member of the project, assigned to collecting data, including the excavation and mapping of one of at least three dinosaur skeletons from the Oldman Formation, and one of the first bone beds discovered in the Foremost Formation. The student will be expected to carry out a limited analysis of the data collected for presentation in August. Although no prior excavation experience is necessary, the candidate must be in good physical condition and willing to work outside in hot weather. The field camp will be in a remote part of Alberta, and vigorous hiking and physical activity will be required each day. Previous camping experience, a valid US passport, and a valid First Aid Certificate are required. Preference will be given to those applicants with a background in sedimentology, comparative anatomy, or vertebrate paleontology.

Vertebrate Zoology:

2012 Project: Participate in the second year of a two year study of the movements and activity range of the mudpuppy in the Grand and Ashtabula Rivers. The student will capture and identify native fishes, amphibians and reptiles, and will tag live mudpuppies, using GPS to collect location data. The student will also work in five counties on a new project measuring potential causal agents for amphibian decline. The student should have at least one previous course in vertebrate zoology and/or ecology. Applicants should have the physical strength to turn or help turn large rock slabs and work with large nets, as well as the ability to work in wet environments for long periods of time. Own transportation required.

Ornithology:

2012: Undecided

Cultural Anthropology:

No project in 2012.

Mineralogy/Sedimentology:

No project in 2012.

Paleobotany:

No project in 2012.

Additional Internship Opportunity:

Kirtlandia Society Internship in Wildlife Resources

Work with staff in researching, designing and providing enrichment for the Museum's live animals.

2012: The student will be introduced to the basics of animal enrichment and then design, implement and evaluate enrichment strategies for one or more wild animals in the Museum's collection, with the goal of testing the efficacy of the design. The student will work closely with the Director of Wildlife Resources, the Manager of the Perkins Wildlife Center and the staff of Wildlife Specialists and Assistants. He/she will also become trained and conversant with Museum protocols for captive animal care and handling, as well as assisting staff in providing daily animal care. In addition, with staff guidance, he/she will test the effectiveness of current enrichment strategies.

Please Note

Most projects, but not all, require fieldwork as well as lab work. Several projects require that the student provide his/her own transportation.

The Adopt-A-Student Program is open to undergraduates from all colleges; however, only those who can arrange summer housing in the greater Cleveland metropolitan area will find this program practicable.

For more information about the Adopt-a-Student program, contact Ann S. DuFresne at 216-231-4600 ext. 3243 or email adufresne@cmnh.org

Fax: (216) 231-5919