9-Year-Old Dinosaur Lover Applies For Head Curator Job At Science Museum

Mar 10, 2020 by apost team

Children all over the world are fascinated by dinosaurs. There’s just something about the big, prehistoric creatures that capture the imaginations of children. In 2013, a young boy’s passion for the extinct behemoths led him to apply for a job at a museum in Colorado.

When he was only 9 years old, third-grader Eli Navant applied to be the head curator of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Through his passion for dinosaurs, Eli had developed a friendship with the previous curator, who was leaving the museum for a position at the Smithsonian. Although Eli wished him well, he was nevertheless intent on filling the position that his friend was about to vacate.

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In addition to his passion for dinosaurs, Eli felt that he had the experience and the qualifications needed to run the Denver Museum. At the time, Eli had already self-published a book on dinosaurs and was working on his second. Eli also had some experience with archaeology.

In an interview with CBS News, Eli told reporters how, during an archaeological dig in his backyard, he found prehistoric chicken bones. His dad later told the news agency that he had baked the bones and placed them in the yard for Eli to make them appear prehistoric. Both of Eli’s parents have worked hard to encourage their son’s interest in the past.

When it came time to apply for the position, Eli submitted a three-page summary of his qualifications and a letter of recommendation from one of his teachers to George Sparks, CEO of the museum. Sparks was more than pleased to find Eli’s handwritten application among the numerous portfolios of Ph.D. holders who had also applied for the position. In an effort to encourage Eli, Sparks invited the young boy to interview for the position.

In his own interview with CBS News, Sparks said that he felt that it was his duty to encourage Eli’s interest in dinosaurs. The museum head feels that people like Eli go on to receive the Nobel Prize and cure cancer.

Later writing for the National Park Service, Eli told of his interview with Sparks and two other officials at the museum. Chief among questions asked by the museum staff were what dinosaur Eli liked the most and how he would balance his position as a head curator with schoolwork.

While Eli did not get the full position, Sparks appointed him Curator of the Day. In his appointment, Eli got to learn from museum staff first-hand and gave a ten-minute lecture on the beginnings of his career.

What do you think of Eli’s passion for dinosaurs? Do you feel like he has a promising career in the future? Pass this along to your friends who may need a little inspiration and feel free to offer up your comments in the section below!