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.

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.

UMF biology professor helps students collect a tick from a tick drag cloth

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

Featured Research Projects

Tick-Borne Disease Research Initiative

UMF students and faculty research ticks and tick-borne diseases through field collection and lab analysis, helping address a growing public health concern in Maine while providing hands-on research experience in biology and environmental science.

Maine Mountain Ponds Project

The Maine Mountain Ponds project engages students in hands-on ecological research, studying climate change impacts on northern Appalachian mountain watersheds while contributing valuable data to regional conservation efforts.
Aerial map image of brook in Farmington

Beaver Brook Salinity

“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.” -Zack Laflamme ’23

Concerned about road salt use during Farmington winters, students studied its impact on Beaver Brook. By collecting data at multiple stream sites, they found elevated salinity downstream, suggesting road salt runoff may be affecting local vegetation and aquatic life.
Students doing field research on Salmon eggs in a river during winter.

Salmon Egg Project

“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 which the salmon go just to keep living.” -Reese Mertz ’23

Students 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 ~10,000 salmon eggs in Temple Stream, just a short drive from campus.
External image of university of maine sign with a symposium banner below and flowers blooming.
External image of university of maine sign with a symposium banner below and flowers blooming.

Annual Symposium

Every April, UMF hosts Symposium which showcases the academic excellence, research, creative work, and experiential learning of our students. Students present both individual and course-based projects representing diverse academic disciplines. Through lectures, demonstrations, performances, and interactive poster sessions, they share original research findings, thoughtful analysis, and creative work with the community.

UMF 2025-26 Wilson Scholars & Fellows
UMF 2025-26 Wilson Scholars & Fellows

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.

Experiential Learning News & Stories

Brennick banding a bird.
UMF graduating senior and Jay native sees career in Bioscience take flight
May 04, 2026
FARMINGTON, ME  (May 4, 2026)—Spencer Brennick, Jay native, was looking for a reason to get excited about his future. It was his second try at college when he received an email from UMF Biology Professor Sarah Sloane, an avian behavioral ecologist,…
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UMF student interns Grace White and Sydney Booth with Farmington Police Chief Kenneth Charles
UMF graduating seniors intern with local law enforcement to understand police burnout
April 27, 2026
University coordinated internships provide real-world learning opportunities FARMINGTON, ME  (April 27, 2026)—University of Maine at Farmington graduating seniors Grace White, from Waldoboro, and Sydney Booth, from Waterbury, Conn., weren’t surprised to see each other at the Farmington Police Station. They both…
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Student sharing a poster session on Symposium Day
UMF celebrates 27th annual Arts Night and Symposium Showcase and welcomes the community, April 13-15
April 08, 2026
FARMINGTON, ME  (April 8, 2026)—The University of Maine at Farmington welcomes the community to a day-long celebration of  real-world student research, innovation and creative projects with its 27th annual Arts Night and Symposium showcase, April 13 – 15, 2026. All events…
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Inside headshot
Great Grad Stories: UMF Student Ryan Martin-Hachey – The “Tick Researcher”
March 29, 2026
Ryan Martin-Hachey, UMF graduating senior from Fairfield, had charted his future in psychology when he came to Farmington, but all that changed at the end of his sophomore year when his biology professor told him about a unique opportunity. He…
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