The Research Shadows (RS) aims to support hands-on, out-of-the-classroom STEM learning in rural communities for M-12 students. This program offers your students the opportunity to engage with Minot State University (MiSU) STEM faculty at a field location or university research lab observing and participating in the research work to gain a better understanding of the varied nature of STEM fields in rural communities. Students will engage in real research at a variety of field and/or laboratory settings, including labs here at Minot State, and field sites that include Lake Darling and other locations within the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, the Bison Plant between Minot and Sawyer, and Fort Totten (Spirit Lake), and south to Hazen. We have field areas as far west as Beulah, as far north as Mohall, and as far east as Devils Lake (currently) - wherever your students are, we have something nearby!
RS experiences get your students outside of the classroom to participate in STEM inquiry! We can even provide partial or total reimbursement for transportation and bussing for your class(es) depending on mileage and transportation type.
About the RS Program
Our goal is to collaborate with M-12 teachers to co-develop and deliver field-based experiences that not only enhance your students' understanding of STEM but also demonstrate how these fields are directly relevant to their local communities.
This program aims to:
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Participation in fieldwork, data collection and sampling activities.
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Field- and lab-based testing and instrumental analyses.
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Analyzing and visualizing resulting datasets.
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Participating in discussions about results and generating deliverables.
How to Get your students into the field on a Research 'Ride-Along'
Interested M-12 teachers who would like to set up a Research Shadows field location and/or Minot State laboratory visit can check out the current (preliminary) list of participating MiSU faculty and their areas of expertise on our Participants page. Depending on your curriculum and standards, we'll work to match your classroom's needs and curriculum with the expertise of our MiSU STEM faculty. We are actively prioritizing rural schools.
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How It Works
- Rural M-12 teachers browse the clearinghouse of available MiSU faculty participants to find someone who has the expertise in the area(s) being covered in your curriculum and learn about what field sites are available for a Research 'Ride-Along'.
- When you've figured out who would be the best fit for your STEM curriculum, click the Contact Us link at the bottom of the Participants page. The information you provide will give us some idea of what kinds of support we can offer in terms of supplies for your classroom to support your STEM curriculum in your school - that stuff will stay with you for your continued use!
- We'll get you into contact with your first choice of faculty who will contact you directly - so make sure you use the email address you check most frequently! The two of you will then develop a plan for your RS visit based on what you are covering in class this semester. We'll talk about field sites and see what will work near you!
- Our MiSU faculty then apply to the program, apply for the funds needed for transportation reimbursement for your class(es) based on your location and the field site chosen.
- We'll reach out again to finalize a date and time, give you directions to our field location(s), and set the plan in motion!
- Everyone shows up in the field and does the things! Your students get a tailored STEM-focused field experience that fits in with what your curriculum and standards are based on your lesson plan!
- We will mail out reimbursements directly to your school's contact.
To begin the conversation about a Research 'Ride-Along', please either get started on the Participants page or contact Dr. Joe Collette or Dr. Nigel George.
Available Funding for MiSU Faculty to Visit a Classroom.
Funding is available for MiSU faculty to lead a Research 'Ride-Along' to a research field site or for entire class(es) to come to Minot State to participate in laboratory research activities. Faculty can apply for a single grant to cover the costs of their visit.
- Bussing / Transportation Costs: In your application, you can request bussing/transportation costs (gas) reimbursement for the school who will be meeting you on site. Smaller groups (or shorter distances traveled) can request up to $100 for fuel reimbursements (15 available). Larger groups (or greater travel distances) may request up to $250 for fuel reimbursements (20 available).
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Faculty Stipend: If your proposed SitC activity is approved, you will receive a one-time, one-day stipend of $500. This stipend is intended to cover all your costs associated with the visit, including time, mileage, and other classroom visit related expenses. Funding is available for up to 18 such visits annually.
No equipment/supplies are part of this program – this program connects M-12 students and their teachers with your existing research program.
Note: We anticipate adjustments may be necessary for the M-12 travel reimbursements. MiSU faculty members will not receive travel reimbursement in addition to $500 stipends.
