We are looking for workshops, demonstrations, round tables, and working groups that share knowledge of materials, techniques, and new ideas to Annual Meeting participants. In this way, we can improve the entire field of paleontological preparation. Workshop content should align with the Essential Competencies. Proposals that fall outside peer-reviewed best practices can be rejected. All proposals will be reviewed by the Workshops Subcommittee with oversight by the Board. 

Workshops generally provide interactive, hands-on experiences for participants. Some suggested topics for workshops include:

• New techniques

• Refinements to well-known techniques

• New materials 

• New ways to use well-known materials

• Basics of… (almost any basic technique will be new to some participants, or you may have a novel approach to a basic technique)

• Moldmaking

• Field techniques
  
• Techniques not typically possible in a non-virtual setting (for example, casting and micro prep)
  

It should be understood that virtual workshops are limited by format and may include interactive demonstrations rather than actual hands-on experiences. 

Workshops will be offered in three levels:

• Beginner: An introductory level workshop for participants with little to no experience, or those who wish to brush up on basics; 
  
• Intermediate: This workshop assumes participants are somewhat familiar/experienced with the materials or basic methods used; 
  
• Advanced: This workshop assumes participants have an above average knowledge of the relevant technical information.

Workshop Proposal Example.pdf

Round Tables can discuss common problems and try to achieve a solution that will benefit all, including topics like: best practices in the lab and the field, volunteers and the volunteer experience, professionalization of the field of preparation.

Working Groups can create standardized documents (ethics guidelines, destructive sampling guidelines, lab protocols, collections use protocols) that can be widely shared on the AMMP website.

Please note: The Workshop Committee and AMMP Board reserve the right to reject any proposal that does not meet AMMP standards of best practices in preparation and conservation.

If you have questions about your workshop, please email workshops@paleomethods.org