: Lleoliadau

I’m currently studying heritage conservation at Cardiff University, so I wanted to undertake his placement as I have a keen interest in how museums digitise their collections for educational purposes and to increase the accessibility of the heritage they safeguard, and I also wanted to explore how museum collections are used for research purposes.

What are diatoms?

Diatoms are microscopic, single-celled algae that inhabit oceans, rivers, and lakes. They are notable for their intricate cell walls made of silica, which resemble delicate glass shells when viewed under a microscope. These cell walls, called frustules, have unique and complex patterns. Diatoms play a vital role in the environment by performing approximately one-fifth of the total global photosynthesis. This process not only produces a significant portion of the Earth's oxygen but diatoms also form an important part of aquatic food webs, supporting a diverse range of marine and freshwater organisms.

Their importance for research lies in their ability to act as bio-indicators in aquatic ecosystems. Analysis of diatom populations and diversity studies have been used to evaluate human impact on freshwater and marine environments. As bio-indicators, diatoms can be used to assess the levels of organic pollution, eutrophication and acidification of their aquatic environment. Different species have differing tolerance levels of environmental conditions like water pH (the acidity or alkalinity of the water) and nutrient concentrations. Several diatom indices have been developed and are used by the Environment Agency to monitor water quality in UK rivers and lakes.

Analysis of diatom populations can also be used to demonstrate trends over time, as Ingrid’s work on the restoration of water quality of the rivers Wye and Irfon through periodic liming shows (for more details visit https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X20309961#ab010). The same case can be made for historical collections stored in museums, which can provide unique insight into historical diatom populations, and which can be used to infer previous environmental conditions and compare them to those found in contemporary studies.

In addition to their environmental and research importance, diatoms are incredibly beautiful. So much so, that during the Victorian period, they were often assembled into decorative arrangements on microscope slides. For the uninitiated, I would highly recommend searching for images of Johann Diedrich Möller’s work as well as the more contemporary works of Klaus Kemp; they are truly astounding arrangements. 

The Placement

Under Dr. Ingrid Juttner’s excellent guidance I learned basic diatom morphology and how to identify Gomphonema species, which typically display asymmetry along the trans-apical axis (i.e. the top and bottom halves are not usually mirror images of each other).

Ingrid took me through the process of diatom analysis in light microscopy, from “cooking” the water samples with hydrogen peroxide to remove organic cell content and preparing the microscope slides, through to photographing, editing and uploading the images to the museum’s diatom website. The photographs featured were taken with a light microscope at x1000 magnification, and measurements (length, width, striae density) were recorded. These images were then edited and prepared as plates to provide an overview of the cell size distribution in the species population. The plates were uploaded to the website with corresponding literature and morphological descriptions. 

Some notable species I photographed which are now featured on the website are Eunotia arcubus, Eunotia botuliformis and Planothidium incuriatum.

Overall, my placement within the Lower Plants section has

• Provided me with invaluable insights into scientific and particularly, taxonomic, practices
• Highlighted the role that diatoms play in our natural environments
• Demonstrated how museum collections can and are being utilised for the benefit of science as well as being important repositories for mapping changes in biodiversity.
• Illustrated how projects like the Diatom Flora and Fauna of Britain and Ireland can help create accessible resources for professional and amateur researchers as well as opening up collections to a wider public, who might otherwise be unaware of their existence.
• Finally, this placement has been an opportunity to admire the exceptional beauty of diatoms.

If you would like to know more about the diatom collection at the National Museum of Wales, please see the museum’s Diatom Research page  as well as  blog posts by Ingrid entitled ‘Scientific expedition to Rara Lake, Nepal’ and ‘Diatom diversity of the Falklands Islands’. I would also highly encourage anyone interested in diatom identification to view the Diatom Flora and Fauna of Britain and Ireland website.

My heartfelt thanks go out to Dr. Ingrid Jüttner for her instruction, her wealth of knowledge and, not least, her conversation. I would equally like to thank the various staff members who coordinated and supported this placement at Amgueddfa Cymru, may there be many more such opportunities.

Zoe and I completed a work experience week with the Museum. This is my diary of the week. 

Day 1: 

To begin the week, Zoe and I were able to work with Verdun, the Learning Officer, and shadow him whilst he took a primary school class on what the museum calls a ‘Walk with the Romans’, around the Amphitheatre and Barracks. It was clear to me throughout this experience that the children were gaining interest in the presence of Romans in Welsh history, whilst being given the opportunity to dress up in Roman tunics, with shields and wooden swords, and impersonate soldiers charging into battle. The sheer sense of enjoyment from not only the children, but the teachers as well, was clear to me, which I purely believe was a result of the massive amount of enthusiasm and obvious passion for their work shown by the staff involved in providing this experience. By the end of Day 1, I could safely say that I had gained more knowledge of the Romans impact on Welsh history than I ever had in my 17 years of living, along with the ability to understand how to engage with a large audience and maintain their full attention for a long duration of time.

Day 2: 

As my desired career involves marketing, I was given the opportunity to work with Kathryn, the Digital Learning Officer and understand how she advertises the different workshops, events, and exhibits the museum hosts through its website and social media. To begin, Kathryn talked us through the different apps that are used to create digital content to advertise the museum. I was able to create a twitter post for the museum’s twitter account in order to advertise their ‘Roman Classroom’, which is an online teaching platform that involves a ‘costumed facilitator’ explaining all different areas of Roman history. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the different methods that are used in order to advertise and market the Museum online, and encourage more to get involved, and immerse themselves in the Roman history that exists in Wales.

Day 3:

For day 3, we spent the day shadowing Dai, Visitor Experience Supervisor. He talked us through what is required of us in order to ensure that visitors are provided with the best experience possible. I was surprised by the sheer number of visitors the museum has every day, whether it is families, school trips, or tourists, whilst also picking up the knowledge of how to supervise and maintain order within the museum.  

Day 4: 

We spent the day with Mark, Senior Curator of Roman Archaeology. We were given the opportunity to photograph artifacts in order to update the museum’s records and provide photos for the website so people can study online.  As well as using the advanced set up to photograph the artifacts, Mark also trusted us enough to handle the objects like a Roman brooch, lioness ornament, and a tile antefix, which was an especially interesting new experience. Along with this I was able to gain knowledge of the stories behind the different artifacts and what they symbolize at the time. After recording the descriptions, accession numbers, and other important information, Zoe and I were able to record that we were the ones that photographed the artifacts, which will then be uploaded for anyone to see.

Day 5: 

I was able to spent some time with Rosie, Commercial Marketing Officer and she gave me amazing advice on steps I can take in order to achieve my career in marketing. As a result, I have gained a contact in the industry I aspire to become a part of, and this is something I would never have been able to attain if it weren't for this work experience, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Lastly, I would like to express how much I appreciate all the opportunities and experiences this museum has provided me with and how much it will benefit me going forward, and Michelle, Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator, who has been a big factor of my experience here, continuing to welcome Zoe and I every morning and seeing us out every afternoon, and ensuring we are given as many amazing experiences as possible. 

I’ve also been inspired to volunteer – and I now volunteer at my local National Trust Property. 

Yn ddiweddar, cwblhawyd Harri Leoliad Datblygu Sgiliau yn Sain Ffagan Amgueddfa Werin Cymru, lle bu’n cysgodi ein staff Blaen Tŷ un diwrnod yr wythnos am 6 mis. Mae’r lleoliadau hyn yn cynnig profiad yn y gweithle i bobl 16+ sydd â rhwystrau at waith, gan roi cyfle iddynt feithrin sgiliau a hyder. Yn Sain Ffagan rydym yn benodol yn cefnogi unigolion sy’n ddwyieithog ac yn siarad Cymraeg ar gyfer lleoliadau datblygu sgiliau blaen tŷ.
 

Cyn i Harri orffen, cawsom sgwrs i weld sut brofiad oedd cymryd rhan mewn lleoliad datblygu sgiliau yn Sain Ffagan! Dyma beth ddywedodd:

Sut wnaethoch chi gychwyn y Lleoliad Datblygu Sgiliau gyda ni yn Amgueddfa Cymru?

Dechreuais ym mis Medi 2022. Fe wnes i helpu gyda’r Ŵyl Fwyd yn Sain Ffagan a rhoddodd Lauren o Elite Employment Support fi mewn cysylltiad â’r adran Gwirfoddoli a Lleoliadau. Cyfarfûm â thîm Sain Ffagan. Rwy’n ddwyieithog ac mae’n fonws ychwanegol y gallwn ddefnyddio fy Nghymraeg tra ar leoliad.

Beth wnaethoch chi tra ar leoliad?

Dechreuais yn yr orielau am 2 awr. Teimlais yr angen i ymestyn fy oriau i 10.00-3.00, a oedd yn iawn.

Tra yn yr orielau bûm yn helpu Cynorthwywyr yr Amgueddfa drwy ddefnyddio’r cliciwr i gyfrif presenoldeb pobl.

Weithiau byddwn i'n helpu A fydd yn glanhau unrhyw ollyngiadau yn yr orielau.

Treuliais ddiwrnod gyda Ryland - dwi'n cofio teithio gydag e ar y bygi i'r castell, roedd hynny'n hwyl! Gwnaethom yn siŵr bod yr ardd a'r amgylchedd yn daclus.

Beth ddysgoch chi yn ystod eich amser yn Sain Ffagan?

Dysgais sgiliau gweithio mewn tîm a dysgais am yr amgueddfa ei hun. Cyfathrebu â Chynorthwywyr yr Amgueddfa. Pe bawn i byth yn siŵr beth i'w ddweud wrth ymwelwyr, byddwn yn cael cyngor gan Gynorthwywyr yr Amgueddfa. Roedd siarad â Bryn (aelod o staff Sain Ffagan) yn graff iawn ar yr hanes.

Beth wnaethoch chi ei fwynhau am eich profiad?

Popeth!

Er enghraifft, prynais ychydig o fara o'r becws ac roedd fy rhieni a'm brawd wrth eu bodd. 

I mi roeddwn i'n teimlo'n fwy hamddenol a fy mod gartref yma. Cefais fy nghyflwyno i lawer o Gynorthwywyr Amgueddfa, roeddent yn ddiddorol iawn, yn siaradus, yn gyfeillgar ac yn annwyl.

Diolch yn fawr iawn i Harri am siarad gyda ni am ei amser yn Sain Ffagan ar leoliad. Mae Harri nawr wedi cael ei recriwtio fel aelod o staff pwll ar gyfer y siop yn Sain Ffagan, felly llongyfarchiadau mawr iddo! 

Mae lleoliadau gwaith i fyfyrwyr yn Amgueddfa Cymru yn gallu bod yn gystadleuol, yn enwedig rhai ym maes archeoleg. Roeddwn wrth fy modd yn cael lle ar leoliad i helpu’r Amgueddfa asesu a chatalogio gweddillion dynol.

Gan ymuno â grŵp bach o unigolion ar leoliad, rhai ohonynt yn fyfyrwyr o gwrs Gwyddor Archeolegol Caerdydd, buom yn gweithio ochr yn ochr â’r Curadur i asesu sgerbydau o fynwent ganoloesol gynnar yn Llandochau, ger Caerdydd. Datgelodd y cloddiadau ar ddechrau’r 1990au dros fil o sgerbydau, a rheini wedi bod yn archif Amgueddfa Cymru yn disgwyl archwiliad llawn.

Dysgon ni sut mae'n rhaid storio a thrin y sgerbydau yn unol â safonau moesegol ar gyfer delio â gweddillion dynol. Caiff pob sgerbwd ei hasesu'n unigol ar gyfer cyflawnrwydd, ac weithiau mae'n bosib adnabod y rhyw a gweld tystiolaeth o oedran neu afiechydon. Cofnodwyd y wybodaeth i’w gynnwys yng nghatalog yr Amgueddfa, a bydd yn ddefnyddiol iawn yn y dyfodol wrth ymchwilio gweddillion dynol safle Llandochau, a bydd yn cyfrannu at astudiaeth archeoleg ganoloesol yn fwy cyffredinol.

Mae archwilio gweddillion dynol yn ysgogi adfyfyrio ar fywydau pobl ganoloesol ac, er efallai nad yw at ddant pawb, mae’n dod â ni’n nes at y gorffennol mewn ffordd arbennig. Roedd y lleoliad gwaith yn brofiad dysgu rhagorol. Roedd y Curadur, Adelle yn amyneddgar iawn gyda’r holl gwestiynau a godwyd ac yn hael wrth rannu ei gwybodaeth a’i sgiliau. Mae’n ffordd wych i Amgueddfa Cymru ymgysylltu â’r cyhoedd, ac rwy’n ddiolchgar am y cyfle i weld y tu ôl i’r llenni a chyfrannu at waith yr amgueddfa. Rwy'n gobeithio y bydd Amgueddfa Cymru yn parhau i gynnig cyfleoedd o'r fath i'r rhai a hoffai cymryd rhan mewn lleoliadau gwaith i fyfyrwyr.

Am fwy o wybodaeth am leoliadau gwaith i fyfyrwyr, ewch i dudalennau ‘Cymryd Rhan’ y wefan. Mae modd cofrestru i rhestr bostio i glywed am unrhyw leoliadau pan fyddant yn cael eu hysbysebu.