Learning about science by doing science is the heart of the FYRES experience. Students investigate interesting questions about Lake Michigan coastal dunes, and the resulting knowledge is used by dune managers and scientists working with the dunes.
Research
First-semester Calvin students, alongside more-experienced student mentors, design and implement studies focused on dunes along the Lake Michigan coast. Cutting-edge methods and equipment combined with solid research designs produce strong results under the guidance of professor and dune scientist Deanna van Dijk. While doing research, students get an insider view of the process of science.
Learn
First-year students earn science core credit for the FYRES course and mentors gain paid experience in their major or area of study. The hands-on learning is effective and rewarding.
Engage
FYRES project discoveries make a real-world impact in the activities of dune managers and scientists. Students have opportunities for public outreach as well as research communication.
Current in FYRES
The application process is open for students interested in becoming part of the Fall 2026 FYRES class! Apply by the May 11 deadline for the best opportunity to join the class. If there are remaining seats in the class after the May 11 deadline, then applications will be considered in the order they are received until the class is full at 24 students.
The team of FYRES Research Mentors and the topics for Fall 2026 FYRES research projects are being assembled. While our projects will focus on Lake Michigan dunes, the dune we built on campus for Fall 2020 continues to be a teaching-learning-research space on the Calvin University campus.
First-Year Students
Science and non-science majors enjoy being FYRES researchers for the fall semester. The first-year students pictured above were taking a brief break from mapping dune features in Hoffmaster State Park during Lab 4.
FYRES Research Mentors
Enthusiastic upper-level Earth science majors gain research experience while mentoring less-experienced students. The mentors pictured above were photographed at the end of a day presenting their research at a professional conference (the Michigan Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters).
Interested in Dunes?
FYRES research provides information on topics including dune changes, rare plants, and management effectiveness. The dune landscape pictured above includes bare-sand areas with more active sand movement, partially stabilized areas with grasses and other pioneering species, and stabilized forested dunes in the background.
