The Institute for Conservation Research and Education (ICRE) presents the Ecological Field Studies to high school students each year. Barry Nerhus, MS is the founder and president of this non-profit organization.

In the 2018-2019 school year, 120 students participated from four schools producing 48 research projects. During the program, students conduct real-world ecological research. Acting as ecologists, with guidance from professionals, students develop a question and a hypothesis, and identify the best research methods and techniques to test their hypothesis. With field equipment in hand, students set up their experiments and collect data approximately one day each month over most of the school year. Near the end of the data collection period, students begin constructing posters that will display their work and results. Once collection is complete, students analyze their results and make conclusions that are shared and discussed with other students, their families, and community members at an end-of-year poster presentation.

Through the support of donors, ICRE provides one-on-one staff time with the students both in the field and in the classroom. Staff are trained to facilitate the students’ experience but not to do their work for them. Staff provide feedback and encouragement as students struggle to improve their technique and produce the best results that they can. Funding is also used to provide necessary equipment for the research projects and supplies for the making of posters and at the poster presentation.

Through the support of landowners, ICRE provides local interesting places to visit, each with their own story to tell and be discovered by the students’ work. For more information, visit www.icreglobal.org.