9732416 McCoy The goal of the National Museum of Natural History research Training Program at the Smithsonian Institution is to prepare talented undergraduates for research careers in natural history. This is accomplished by means of an intensive summer program centered on guided research experiences in natural history. The Research Training Program has developed a highly regarded and innovative program that introduces undergraduates to the diversity of scientific disciplines, research techniques, and career choices available in the field of modern natural history. The ten-week program focuses on a research project guided by a research advisor who is one of the over 100 Ph.D.'s on our scientific staff. The participant, in conjunction with the research advisor, develops and tests a scientific hypothesis using appropriate techniques, and communicates the results in written manuscripts and oral presentations. The research project is supplemented with a schedule of activities including lectures, discussions, demonstrations, field trips, and tours to provide a broad and balanced view of natural history careers. While in residence at the National Museum of Natural History, the participants are fully integrated into the Museum community. This award supports 5 program positions dedicated to geoscience-based research topics. Cooperative funding of the Research Training Program between the Biological Sciences and Geosciences Directorates will also encourage, through both formal research projects and informal discussions, the type of cross-disciplinary research which occur frequently within a large natural history museum. ***
