Come join the Language Science Station at Planet Word! We’re spreading the word about a summer course that trains students to conduct language science research and engagement with visitors at Planet Word museum, an innovative, interactive museum about language and words in Washington DC. We’re reaching out to undergraduate and graduate students from around the DC area, with experience and interest in language and social sciences, to be involved. Find out more below, and see the attached flyer and visit our project's website (especially the page for students).
After the course, students will be eligible to continue working with us at the Language Science Station throughout the school year in part-time paid positions.
How do I participate?
To participate in research and engagement at the museum, training will take place via a summer course, offered from May 28-July 7, over Zoom and at Planet Word (hosted by UMD). More information here (search for MLSC 420/620: Language at the Museum: Engaging the Public in Language Science). Registration for non-UMD students is possible via the DC-area consortium or directly through UMD; we’re happy to help with that process.
We are able to offer some need-based financial support for summer tuition, but unfortunately we only have limited funding available. If you’re interested in participating, but have questions about financial support, please let us know!
To get the ball rolling, please get in touch with our lab manager, Stella, and fill out the pre-enrollment interest survey (also linked to on the UMD registration page) if you are interested in being involved.
What are the benefits of the summer course?
The summer course will provide training in language science research, and in general principles of science communication, skills that can be transferred to many majors and careers. See more details here.
You’ll hit the ground running, beginning research and engagement out on the museum floor starting early in the course! Build your research experience and earn college credits at the same time (it is a 3-credit course).
After taking the course, you’ll be eligible to apply for paid part-time positions to continue your research and engagement through shifts at the museum during the summer and throughout the school year.
What exactly will we be doing?
Students will conduct language science research studies on a range of topics, with Planet Word visitors as our participants. Our studies are fun and “gamified”, to maximize visitor interest. This is a great way to get research experience, but in a unique, public-facing setting — bringing language research to Planet Word visitors, of all ages and backgrounds.
Students will also engage visitors in conversations about language and research, and will teach visitors about the scientific study of language through educational activities. Since we launched, our team has interacted with over 3,000 Planet Word visitors about language science.
Check us out on Twitter and Instagram and Bluesky @LangSciStation!
Who is involved?
Our collaborative project currently features researchers from University of Maryland, Howard University, Gallaudet University, and beyond. The course is open to students across universities, so students will have the opportunity to interact with peers with similar interests – in last year’s course, we had students from 7 different DC-area universities represented!
Conducting studies at the museum will broaden the diversity of who participates in our science. Likewise, we’re hoping for a cohort of students that brings diverse backgrounds and perspectives to their interactions with visitors.
Please contact our lab manager, Stella Huang (gehuang@terpmail.umd.edu) with any questions.
