Natural history collections house, preserve, catalogue and archive biological, geological, and anthropological specimens and objects, providing a physical record of biodiversity over time and across space. Museum specimens provide access to verifiable data that can be examined and re-examined over time to validate research and provide additional insight into the living world. Large-scale digitization efforts are making great strides to aggregate data from approximately a billion US specimens into a common, publicly accessible, portal. Because specimens often tie to other large databases (e.g., GenBank, GIS applications), this digitization initiative has resulted in unprecedented access to a wealth of biodiversity information and vastly expands the reach of natural history collections and their potential uses in the undergraduate classroom. Natural history specimens and associated data provide unique physical and virtual opportunities to engage students in the practice of science in authentic, place-based lessons.
Results/Conclusions
We will present information on how collections, and the data associated with collections, can facilitate student learning, address core competencies and concepts recommended by Vision and Change, and be used to teach valuable skill sets necessary for the 21st century workforce. The talk will highlight ongoing efforts to engage students using museum data and provide examples of current educational opportunities and existing educational modules. We will present results from recent surveys of students working in collections, collection professionals speaking to new skill sets needed for workforce training, and the collections community's insight on future directions in the use of museums in undergraduate education. The talk will address challenges associated with implementing natural history collection modules into undergraduate education including challenges at the institutional, faculty, and introductory student level. In summation, we will propose possible next steps to incorporate specimens and associated data into the undergraduate curriculum.