Engaging the next generation of scientists
Partners in Science connects USGS scientists with the next generation of scientists while conducting meaningful research and data collection on river-based expeditions
Partners in Science is a collaborative effort between Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Grand Canyon Youth, and the National Park Service to provide opportunities for youth to engage in scientific field research in Grand Canyon. This partnership connects youth from diverse backgrounds with the Nation’s natural and cultural resources on 2-3 river-based expeditions on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon per year. The program also provides access to remote field sites for USGS scientists to conduct data collection and resource monitoring. Partners in Science trips have collected data in support of understanding nutrient dynamics, sandbar formation, aquatic algae and invertebrate ecology, bat foraging activity, fish biology, and various other research objectives. In 2022-2024, Partners in Science launched 3 indigenous trips that provided Native American youth time to explore their ancestral homelands, the Grand Canyon riverscape, and connect with each other. For over 20 years, Partners in Science has been a leader and model program in combining experiential learning with applied scientific data collection and field research.
WHAT YOU TAKE AWAY
Meet Katie, one of the 40 million people who depend on the Colorado River. Pondering life after high school, Katie finds comfort in reflecting on her time in one of the Nation’s most iconic National Parks. Guided by river currents, curiosity, and scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, her voyage of discovery leads to a deeper understanding of the Colorado River as an ecosystem, and her own place in it.
The Ripple Effect - Reflections from a scientist
Hydrologist Shannon Sartain joined a Partners in Science Trip to collect on-the-ground data to support research on debris flow risks to campers in Grand Canyon. In this blog post, Shannon reflects on her experience.
Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell joins Partners in Science expedition
"It’s traveling through the canyon, seeing things at an ecosystem level, that has helped me understand it." -Molly Ryan, PIS trip participant 2014
Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Projects
Partners in Science is a collaborative effort between Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Grand Canyon Youth, and the National Park Service to provide opportunities for youth to engage in scientific field research in Grand Canyon. This partnership connects youth from diverse backgrounds with the Nation’s natural and cultural resources on 2-3 river-based expeditions on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon per year. The program also provides access to remote field sites for USGS scientists to conduct data collection and resource monitoring. Partners in Science trips have collected data in support of understanding nutrient dynamics, sandbar formation, aquatic algae and invertebrate ecology, bat foraging activity, fish biology, and various other research objectives. In 2022-2024, Partners in Science launched 3 indigenous trips that provided Native American youth time to explore their ancestral homelands, the Grand Canyon riverscape, and connect with each other. For over 20 years, Partners in Science has been a leader and model program in combining experiential learning with applied scientific data collection and field research.
WHAT YOU TAKE AWAY
Meet Katie, one of the 40 million people who depend on the Colorado River. Pondering life after high school, Katie finds comfort in reflecting on her time in one of the Nation’s most iconic National Parks. Guided by river currents, curiosity, and scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, her voyage of discovery leads to a deeper understanding of the Colorado River as an ecosystem, and her own place in it.
The Ripple Effect - Reflections from a scientist
Hydrologist Shannon Sartain joined a Partners in Science Trip to collect on-the-ground data to support research on debris flow risks to campers in Grand Canyon. In this blog post, Shannon reflects on her experience.
Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell joins Partners in Science expedition
"It’s traveling through the canyon, seeing things at an ecosystem level, that has helped me understand it." -Molly Ryan, PIS trip participant 2014