Basic Preparation Certification

The basic level is an introduction to the elementary requirements of fossil preparation that includes such topics as learning proper documentation, identifying bone and abnormalities that occur, applying the glue correctly, learning the prep processes and purpose of procedures.

All basic members will need to perform a number of tasks given by the prep lab manager or assistant before advancing to the intermediate level of prep. You must prove you can successfully and correctly prepare specimens as well as learn all functions and regulations of the prep lab.

Criteria

• Proper documentation procedures
• Identifying bone
• Application of glues/consolidates
• Become familiar with safety regulations and MSDS
• Introduction to preparatory techniques

Intermediate Preparation Certification

Intermediate level candidates are further instructed in preparation procedures and techniques, and will become less and less supervised until they can take a project they are given from initiation to completion without supervision.

At the intermediate level, you will be cross-trained to perform and assist with a variety of tasks. Tasks learned during the intermediate prep course include removing a specimen correctly from a jacket and the ability to choose a proper method of stabilizing and preparing a specimen.

Criteria

• Mastery of techniques and procedures listed in the Prep Lab Handbook
  • hand tools
  • air scribes
  • abrasives and rotary tools
• Mechanical preparation
  • water
  • acids – explanation only
• Chemical preparation
• Can initiate and complete assigned projects unsupervised
• Differences in preparation for science and display
• Reconstruction techniques
• Molding and casting – demonstration and discussion only
• Proper storage for specimens-discussion only

Basic Field Certification

The basic field certification program is intended primarily as an introduction to what types of materials to watch for, how to recognize fossil specimens, and how to dig with basic tools. This level of certification will not prepare a participant for excavation work on his or her own; instead, the program is intended as a precursor to the intermediate level of certification.

Although the basic field course does not require completion of the basic prep course beforehand, most participants who have not completed basic prep will need several extra days in the basic field program in order to pass. The basic prep course is thus highly recommended as the introductory program to the fossils and procedures of the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center volunteer program requires certification through at least the Intermediate level to work at the dig sites without the immediate supervision of staff members.

The single most important aspect of the basic field certification is learning to identify fossil materials and potentially significant non-fossil materials. Heavy emphasis is placed on this ability during the certification test, so any questions participants have about identification should be directed toward the instructor in order to facilitate learning the necessary materials.

Criteria

• Introduction to field techniques
  • Dinosaur bone
  • Plant
• Able to identify fossils
• Rejection of fossil look-alikes

Intermediate Field Certification

The intermediate level of field certification is the minimum requirement for staff and volunteers to work outside the immediate supervision of certified staff at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center dig sites. Hill supervisors will assist in developing field localities and site plans.

Participants in the intermediate level of field certification will need to demonstrate that they can properly excavate, survey, document, and remove a specimen. At a minimum, proper digging techniques and removal methods must be demonstrated. The intermediate program also places more emphasis on identifying what kind of fossil material or significant specimens are encountered during the digging process as well as rigorous field documentation of those specimens.

Certification at the intermediate level for the dig sites requires completion of the Intermediate level of preparation. This requirement helps to ensure that volunteers and staff realize the consequences of their actions on the hill when the specimen(s) are moved to the prep lab

Criteria

• Determine and apply proper consolidates and adhesives for a given situation
• Understands the scientific process and the value of proper documentation
  • Site Journal entry
  • Photograph
  • Sketch
  • Specimen sheet
  • Master logbook entry
• Can list the various forms of documentation used for each specimen
• Why we document (what each term means and examples of how the information might be used)
• Brunton, total station, and other survey methods
  • Basics
    • work away from the bone
    • expose
    • consolidate
  • Fine rock techniques
    • how much force to use
  • small tools, where to get them
  • various matrix and quarry conditions
• Mastery of field techniques
• Special casts and review of various methods of protecting a bone from quarry to repository
• Can determine the appropriate method of collection for the specimen.
• Able to properly jacket a fossil for removal from the site.

Basic Molding and Casting Certification

The basic level of molding and casting certification requires a basic knowledge of how to properly make a replica of real dinosaur bones. This includes knowing the stages of constructing a block mold and an overmold and knowing in which situation to use each as well as knowing which chemicals to use on each.

Criteria

• Know the difference between a block mold and an overmold
  • Which bones require them
  • Stages of making them
  • Recite stages
  • Construct one
• Block mold
  • Which bones require them
  • Stages of making them
  • Recite stages
• Overmold
  • Know the difference between the casting materials
  • When to use each of them
  • Which chemicals are required to make each
  • Pour a cast
• Casting

Basic Collections Certification

Collections is the method of cataloguing the dinosaur bones being kept at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. In the basic level of certification you will work side by side with the collections manager in each step of the collections process. These steps include data entry, photographing, identification and storage of different specimens.

Criteria

• Proper data entry
• How to take photographs and then transferring them to the database
• Proper identification processes
• Proper storage techniques