Caring for fossils at the Science Museum of Minnesota

By Sia Bombhore ’29

To Violet McCann ’26, a former “dinosaur kid,” the thought of lasting through time was always fascinating—so much so that she once imagined becoming a fossil herself, “preserved in deep time forever.” 

That early fascination eventually led her to the Science Museum of Minnesota, where she works as a biology intern preparing and preserving animals that have died of natural causes. “I’ve always appreciated nature,” she says, “but working specimen prep made me appreciate it even more. I feel such an overwhelming sense of pride just to preserve something.” 

To her museum mentor, Violet’s curiosity and care set her apart as someone already thinking like a scientist. “Every day, Violet’s excited to take on whatever the day has in store and shows a clear talent for the work she’s doing,” he says. “It’ll be exciting to see the knowledge and skills she takes away—and hopefully, a deeper sense of which field she sees herself belonging to.”

For Violet, the internship became a chance to apply what she’d learned, and proof of how far she’s come. Guided by mentors who encouraged her curiosity, she began to see herself as part of the scientific community she’s always admired. “Being here reminded me of my love for science,” she says, “and that I’m capable of going into science.”