Northeastern State University professor hosts NSF-funded Illinois River Rendezvous
Northeastern State University professor hosts NSF-funded Illinois River Rendezvous
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State University’s (NSU) Dr. Elizabeth Waring recently hosted the Illinois River Rendezvous, a RIVER Field Studies Network project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
The RIVER Field Studies Network is an NSF network focused on connecting rivers, educators and science through field-based learning. From June 3-10, college-level educators from around the nation participated in a week-long teaching program on the river in Tahlequah.
Attendees learned field-specific concepts and practices, teamwork strategies, river safety and risk management, and lesson content planning through expert instruction and peer work. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to build connections in the river STEM community and gain a deeper appreciation for rivers and river-based learning.
Dr. Waring, associate professor of biology, shared her excitement about the river environment.
“I wanted participants to leave with a better understanding of this part of Oklahoma," Waring said. "I hope that seeing the river and learning how local people live around it truly made an impact on these scholars.”
NSU President Rodney Hanley praised Waring’s dedication to leadership and fellowship with other faculty members in the region.
Northeastern State University was incredibly proud to host the Illinois River Rendezvous, a testament to Waring’s leadership and our institution's commitment to impactful STEM education," Hanley said. "By bringing educators from across the nation to our beautiful Illinois River, NSU is playing a pivotal role in advancing field-based research and collaborative learning.”
Waring said she was excited to host the event and inspire educators engaged in river studies.
In addition to having all program costs covered, participants received a $1,000 stipend upon completion of the program and will publish a new river field lesson on Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis (QUBES).
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