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SIFT and TERF: Partnered programs engaging teens in authentic field research

High school students can explore environmental biology careers and get paid to work with field research teams through these NSF-supported programs.


Program News

Fall 2011 - The SIFT and TERF programs had a busy summer with accepted interns working with scientists on a variety of research projects at Shaw Nature Reserve and Tyson Research Center.  Now that school is in session, SIFTers have work opportunities on select weekend days and TERFers are completing research posters and presentations based on their summer work.

January 2012 - The TERF Symposium was held on Saturday, January 28 from 2:00-4:00 pm at Tyson Research Center.

February 2012 - Three TERFers entered the Honors Division of the St. Louis Science Fair with posters based on their research experiences at Tyson during summer 2011.

March 2012 - The SIFT 2011-12 program wrapped up (went down in flames?) with demonstration of a controlled burn at Shaw Nature Reserve on Saturday, March 3.  Many highly motivated SIFTers from this group have turned in their applications for the TERF program and hope to work at Tyson during summer 2012.

SIFT 12-13 Application is available!  The application deadline is March 30, 2012.  Two teacher recommendation letters are required, so plan to request the recommendations well before your spring break.

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About SIFT and TERF

This National Science Foundation-supported project provides two field-based informal science education programs in environmental biology for St. Louis area teenagers.  The project forms a partnership between Washington University's Tyson Research Center and the Missouri Botanical Garden's Shaw Nature Reserve.  The Shaw Institute for Field Training (SIFT) program is designed to engage teenagers in scientific exploration of the natural environment.  The Tyson Environmental Research Fellowships (TERF) program immerses SIFT graduates in research teams with local scientists, creating cultural apprenticeships in scientific inquiry.  The project aims for engagement of a science research institution and career scientists in the execution of informal science education programming, bringing real and dynamic context to the science content.  The SIFT and TERF programs are components of “Making Natural Connections: An Authentic Field Research Collaboration” (NSF 06-520 DRL-0739874).

SIFT: Scientifically minded teens making natural connections

The Shaw Institute for Field Training (SIFT) program is an introductory field skills training program at Shaw Nature Reserve designed to engage teenagers in scientific exploration of the natural world.

  • focus on collaboration, field skills acquisition, and science content
  • exposure to a variety of field projects and career field scientists
  • learning and paid field work during summer and following school year
  • transportation from the St. Louis area is provided

During a one-week training session in June, teens are introduced to a variety of Missouri ecosystems and gain skills necessary to conduct field research, including plant and animal identifications, biotic sampling and census techniques, testing of abiotic factors, and training in the use of maps, compass and GPS.

During the rest of the summer and school year, teens are involved in important research and restoration activities at Shaw, Tyson Research Center, and other field research sites in the St. Louis area. Field work opportunities may include invasive species management, prairie reconstruction, plant and animal inventories, and prescribed burns. Teens are paid for their field work at the minimum wage.

  • December: SIFT application becomes available
  • March 30, 2012: application deadline
  • May: orientation meeting for accepted SIFT participants and parents
  • June: five-day summer training session with overnight Thursday to Friday at the Dana Brown Overnight Center
  • August: half-day training in geographic information systems (GIS)
  • September: full-day Saturday session
  • January: winter weekend with overnight
  • March: full-day Saturday session

TERF: Mentoring the next generation of environmental scientists

The Tyson Environmental Research Fellowships (TERF) program is a field research internship program based at Tyson Research Center, Washington University’s environmental field station. Selected teen participants have completed the SIFT program during the previous year and apply their field skills to on-going research projects at Tyson and other partnering research sites in the St. Louis area.

During the summer, the four-week program provides teens with exposure to a variety of field science experiences and skills. TERF teens work as paid members of research teams alongside Washington University scientists, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students. Fall and winter activities are designed to provide important community outreach, emphasizing the value of environmental research.

The TERF program provides a cultural apprenticeship in university-based environmental biology research and training in scientific communication.  It is an advanced summer experience modeled on the undergraduate research internships offered at Tyson.  During a June or July four-week session, teen participants are involved in the following activities:

  • daily work in support of a research team
  • weekly journal article discussion
  • time for reflective writing and discussion
  • weekly seminar and social BBQ with Tyson community and guest scientists

During the following school year, participants work on posters and presentations designed to bridge the communication gap between scientists and the public.  They participate in symposia at Washington University and Tyson and their posters are displayed at Shaw Nature Reserve.