Welcome to Student Ecology Research

The Student Ecology Research Program provides summer science enrichment to middle and high school students throughout New Mexico. SER is a long-standing initiative of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (NMMNH&S) in collaboration with New Mexico Math Engineering and Science Achievement, Inc. (NMMESA) By introducing teachers and students to field ecology, we have increased interest in and understanding of ecology, science, and math for over 2600 students throughout New Mexico, so far. The six-week summer high school courses sponsored by the SER engage students in field research designed to illustrate environmental issues that are important to their home communities. Students and their teachers are guided through the process of study design, data collection and analysis, and presentation of their findings at a final congress of their peers and community members. High School students who successfully complete the course are awarded one high school science credit. By guiding teachers through the process of field-based research and data collection with students during a six week summer course, and providing training and a venue that will allow communication of their increased understanding, the SER has increased environmental literacy for students and teachers throughout the state of New Mexico.