What’s Happening Now?

From the glimmer of a research idea to collecting data at the dunes and on to presenting results in final format, research can span a year or more.

Research is a dynamic process which may seem to move slowly at times or have everything happening at once. But don’t worry—the FYRES course is completed during the standard Calvin semester! It takes a community, working on different parts and stages, to fully realize a FYRES research project from beginning to end.

What’s happening now?

In summer 2024:

• Until all spots are filled, incoming Calvin students can apply to become a part of the FYRES 2024 class. 
• The mentor team for Fall 2024 is being assembled.
• Center for Student Success staff are registering students into the FYRES course (GEO 181).
• Research reports from the FYRES 2023-2024 FYRES Research Mentors are being edited by Dr. van Dijk. 

A Year in FYRES

January-February

• Applications open for FYRES Research Mentors and Coordinator for the next academic year.

• FYRES Research Mentors prepare to present their research at the Michigan Academy conference in March.

• Professor van Dijk guides Mentors in the research process as they create posters or presentations.

• The FYRES Coordinator organizes travel to the Michigan Academy conference and prepares recruiting materials for next year's FYRES course for both students and Mentors.

March

• The online application process opens for the upcoming fall FYRES course.

• FYRES research mentors present their team research projects at the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters conference. Students from the recent FYRES class are invited to attend the conference to see team results presented and experience a professional conference. 

• Professor van Dijk is notified about her application for Michigan Space Grant funding for the upcoming year.

April-May

• In early April, we celebrate the many accomplishments of the FYRES year with a pizza supper followed by attending the Banff Films showing at Calvin University.

• FYRES research mentors continue working on and finish writing the research reports for each team project.

• Online applications continue to come in for the FYRES course.

• In May, all applications received by the 10 May deadline are reviewed and successful applicants are notified that they are accepted into the course.

• Professor van Dijk completes a report on the Michigan Space Grant Consortium Public Outreach Grant.

June-August

• The FYRES research reports go through the final stages of formatting, editing and proofreading. Then copies are printed for each Mentor, each team member, the dune manager of the property and the FYRES archive.

• Working with dune managers and others, Professor van Dijk generates a list of research topic ideas for the fall.

• Upcoming FYRES Research Mentors go to campus for a two-day training session before the semester begins.

September-early October (early semester)

• The FYRES students begin to learn about dunes from Professor van Dijk and the team of mentors.

• FYRES Mentors prepare to present their research ideas to the students so students can join them in teams.

• The FYRES Coordinator updates the FYRES website, bulletin board, and lobby display to reflect the new FYRES class.

October-early December (late semester)

• FYRES students collect data for their research projects and create posters and presentations.

• FYRES Research Mentors guide students in data collection and think ahead to the research reports they will write in the spring.

• Professor van Dijk teaches students about dunes and dune processes in the FYRES course and guides students and Mentors in the research process.

• The FYRES Coordinator organizes equipment and vehicles for the research teams and plans the research presentation event.

December

• The FYRES students share their research results at the research presentation event.

• The FYRES class wraps up with the end of the semester.

• Everyone takes a break from classes for Christmas break.