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This session presented a case study of a staff development initiative that proved effective for bridging the divide that often exists between museum departments. Programming staff contributed to ongoing research and learned about the skills and concepts they were responsible for teaching as they worked alongside collections staff. Collections and research staff in turn learned public communication skills and participated in the development of educational programs and curricula. This session further discussed how this initiative evolved, the challenges faced, and the unanticipated outcomes of this collaboration.
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BRIDGING THE DIVIDE:COLLABORATIVE STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Lorie Millward• Curator of Curiosity and Inquiry, Thanksgiving Point Institute
Eric Rickart, PhD• Curator of Vertebrate Zoology, Natural History Museum of Utah
Shannen Robson, PhD• Collections Manager, Vertebrate Zoology, Natural History Museum of Utah
Debbie Amundsen• Volunteer Coordinator, Natural History Museum of Utah
Goal: Collaborative, project-based staff development
Project Description & Evolution
Key Outcomes Anticipated Unanticipated
Staff intersections Future Directions Discussion
Evolution of our experience
2008
•C&R NSF Broader Impacts
•Initial fieldwork collaboration
Evolution of our experience
2008
•C&R NSF Broader Impacts
•Initial fieldwork foray
2009-
12
•4 year C&R NSF grant awarded
•3 field seasons of collaboration
2008
Participants
2009
20102011
Fieldwork
Evolution of our experience
2008
•C&R NSF Broader Impacts
•Initial fieldwork collaboration
2009-
12
•4 year C&R NSF grant awarded
•3 field seasons of collaboration
2012-
13
•Poster presentation – Amer. Soc. Mammalogists
•New Teacher toolkit
•Volunteer lecture
•Professional academic publications
Collections & Research Outcomes
o Prep fest
o Fieldwork/ data collection
o Collections Management assistance
o Conference collaborations
o Volunteer field trips, tours, & lectures
Education Outcomes
o teacher resources
o authentic learning opportunities
o teacher training & real-world expertise
o Conference collaborations
Volunteer Outcomes
o better understand Museum
o better placement of volunteers
o facilitate relationship of volunteers with C&R & education
Staff Intersections: C&R
o Improved communication between staff & divisions
o Greater investment in education & volunteer projects/goals
o Enhanced investment in dissemination of scientific information
Collections &
Research
Volunteers
Educators
Staff Intersections: Educators
o Increased ability to reflect museum research in programming
o Better understanding of C&R and Volunteer corps needs
o Improved job satisfaction as resulting of contributing to ongoing research
Educators
Collections &
Research
Volunteers
Staff Intersections: Volunteers
o Continuing education & professional development
o Participation in scientific research enhances value of work
o Larger contribution to academics
Volunteers
Educators
Collections &
Research
Challenges
Selling the idea
Budgeting time and resources
Sustaining the process beyond existing personnel
Ownership
Future Directions
Integrating other experts and new projects
QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION
