The scientific collections and public spaces of natural history museums include tens of millions of physical specimens, exhibits, and staff of educators and researchers. Undergraduate students have unique opportunities working with staff in museums. The students require practical experiences to better understand their academic fields and career trajectories, while collection personnel need assistance curating specimens. This can be accomplished through mentorship, training, and experience with research in a course that I developed and taught at the University of Florida titled an Introduction to Natural History Museums. I will share insights into the impact of this experiential course.
