Wikidata:WikiProject Echinodermata
A repository pertaining to:
edit- collating information, resources, and more related to the phylum Echinodermata
- connecting with other Echinoderm researchers
- finding references and visualized models
Project Basis
editAccessibility of carefully curated information on extinct echinoderm taxa is lacking, largely due to the low number of global experts for this animal group. This project will curate accessible information for the general public and online learners through pre-existing platforms and collate information for echinoderm researchers and scientists. As data and resources on echinoderm groups are currently spread across many digital platforms (MorphoSource, MorphoBank, digiMorph, etc.), our team aims to collate references (e.g., through a curated Google Scholar account) on previously developed websites (e.g., NSF-funded Assembling the Echinoderm Tree of Life), supplementary data from publications (e.g., Dryad, Zenodo), and information as a comprehensive tool kit of references for future and current echinoderm paleobiologists.
Opportunities
editExPAND Summer Workshop (2025)
editThe PaleoEchino NSF-funded grant (#2312210, 2312211, 2312212, 2312213) and the University of Michigan are hosting a five-day workshop: Expanding Expertise and Providing Access through Natural History Digitization (ExPAND). This workshop will focus on various aspects of collection management and natural history careers. Participation in the workshop (i.e., travel, lodging, and food) will be supported by the grant and will include a stipend to offset costs of not working their “normal” jobs for the week.
The primary data sources for paleontological research are housed in natural history collections around the world, but few programs provide a window into the immense career possibilities within museums. In today’s digital age, museum careers include more unique roles as data managers, technology specialists, database engineers, graphic designers and illustrators, photographers, and more. As the recent NSF-sponsored report “Biological Collections: Ensuring Critical Research and Education for the 21st Century” suggests, there is a gap in training and education to fill the current and future biological collections workforce.
Workshop Goals
- Digitize the holdings of echinoderms at the U-M Museum of Paleontology
- Museum career exploration
- Skill development: inventory, photography & photogrammetry, digital and physical archiving, database management & curation
Important Dates:
- 12/02/2024 - Applications open, Application Link
- 02/03/2025 - Evening introductory webinar and Q&A session, Registration Link
- 02/28/2025 - Application deadline
- 03/17/2025 - Finalists hear back and interview requests are sent
- 04/17/2025 - All applicants receive feedback from the review committee with final decision letters