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 Fall 2026 FYRES course is underway! Thursday afternoon lab periods either see us collecting data at Lake Michigan dune sites (most weeks) or on campus (some weeks) analyzing collected data or preparing for our next set of field work.
Our team of FYRES Research Mentors have been mentoring student research activities during lab periods. They have also been preparing for our upcoming FYRES research projects with background readings and planning. We will launch the research projects by creating teams and designing our studies in early October.
While our Fall 2026 projects 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.
