Two UMF students work at an archaeological dig in Abbott Park.

Research & Fieldwork

Connecting Classroom Learning to Real-World Experience

At the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF), students connect classroom learning to real-world experiences through immersive research and fieldwork opportunities. These hands-on experiences deepen understanding, build professional skills, and help students explore potential career paths while making meaningful contributions to communities and the environment.

Research Learning Experiences

Research Learning Experiences (RLEs) at UMF foster proactive, engaged learners through experiential learning opportunities embedded in select UMF courses, including:

Coursework focused on student ownership
Field work, site visits, and other opportunities outside of the classroom
Connecting students with professionals working in relevant fields
Partnerships with Maine businesses

Fieldwork

Fieldwork at the University of Maine at Farmington takes learning beyond the classroom, offering hands-on experience in real-world settings. From archaeology to zoology, students conduct experiments and observations that mirror professional work — building skills, confidence, and professional connections that prepare them for future careers.

In UMF’s teacher education programs, fieldwork takes the form of early and consistent classroom experiences through the Field Supervision Program. Education students work in local schools throughout their studies, developing practical teaching skills before culminating in student teaching, where they apply what they’ve learned in real classrooms.

Teacher Field Services

Wilson Scholars and Fellows

The Michael D. Wilson Scholars and Fellows program recognizes some of UMF’s most talented students across all disciplines. Each student receives funding to support an original research or creative project, reflecting UMF’s commitment to undergraduate scholarship and faculty mentoring. Since its launch in 2006, and expanded in 2007 to include full-year Fellow awards, the program has supported more than 250 students. Faculty mentors guide scholars through proposal development, research methodology, and post-graduate opportunities. Each year, students showcase their work at the UMF Symposium.

Meet the 25-26 Scholars and Fellows

Examples from the Classroom and Field

Geography – Beaver Brook Salinity

Concerned about the heavy use of road salt during the long Farmington winter, students in Professor Jesse Minor’s Physical Geography course set out to investigate its environmental impact on the nearby Beaver Brook stream. Students visited multiple sites along the stream, collecting data about the environment. Their research revealed elevated salinity levels downstream, suggesting that road salt runoff may be affecting local vegetation and aquatic life. For Zack Laflamme (’23), the experience brought the course to life: “It definitely enhanced the class because we were going outside and learning things about Farmington that you wouldn’t otherwise think about. Our fieldwork, along with our class discussion, made it all flow together.”

Students work out in the field in the winter at the Sandy River

Marine Biology – Salmon Egg Project

Blending history and marine biology, students in Professor Nancy Prentiss’s Honors course explored the ancient connections between migratory fish and the culture of Ancient Greece. Using the Atlantic salmon as a model species, the class partnered with the Maine Department of Marine Resources to plant approximately 10,000 salmon eggs in Temple Stream, just a short drive from campus. Reese Mertz (’23) reflected on the impact: “There was something about being out there in the water that brought a certain understanding to the spawning of salmon that a textbook or lecture fails to do. We were able to feel the struggle and lengths to which the salmon go just to keep living. This allowed us to do something good for the environment, to learn in a new way, and to gain an experience that other students may miss out on if they only work in labs.”