Accessing and Using Collections

Members of the Department

The collections are available to students, faculty and staff of Earth and Environmental Science during normal working hours (Monday through Friday 9:30 – 4:00). The Collections Manager is happy to work with Faculty in choosing and preparing samples for classroom and laboratory instruction.   In order to be able to process requests for materials, it is preferred that a request, preferably in writing, be submitted to the Collections Manager two business days before the samples are needed.  Please be aware that some Collections materials are located in classrooms and access to them must be planned around class schedules. 

Purchasing Materials

If there are materials that are not currently available for your teaching needs, there is a small allocation for teaching materials.  Faculty should discuss their needs with the Collections Manager or Associate Undergraduate Director.  In order to process a request for new materials, it is essential that a written request be submitted to the Collections Manager at least two weeks before the samples are needed, to allow for location and purchasing.

Members of the University – Affiliated Penn Programs

The Department of Earth and Environmental Science is committed to enhancing earth science education available to the greater Philadelphia community.   Members of the University may borrow certain teaching materials for use in education and outreach programs.  Please contact the Collections Manager to discuss your lesson plans at least two weeks in advance.  A written request, with the name of your organization or affiliation must be provided to the Collections Manager.  Use of collections by members of the University is subject to the availability of materials and the schedule of the Collections Manager.    

Individuals Outside the University of Pennsylvania

Research collections are available to qualified outside researchers.  You must be working towards an academic degree, publication, exhibit or other scholarly pursuit to qualify.  Research requests should be submitted, in writing, to the appropriate Faculty member or the Collections Manager in as far advance as possible.  Non-academic requests will be reviewed individually.  The collections are not to be used for any commercial purposes, and these types of requests will generally be denied. 

Objects from the collection may not be removed from storage areas unless authorized by the appropriate Faculty member or Collections Manager.  Researchers must be accompanied at all times by a Faculty member or the Collections Manager.  If any publications, posters, photographs or other documentation is generated from use of the collections, a copy must be given to the Collections Manager upon completion of the project. 

Collections

History of the Collections

Overview of the Collections

Teaching Collections

Accessing the Collections

Collections Staff

Collections Location

Contact

Department of Earth and Environmental Science
240 S. 33rd Street
Hayden Hall
Philadelphia, PA
19104-6316

marthap@sas.upenn.edu

(T) - 215-746-0086