Since its inception, NGRREC has hosted a highly successful experiential learning internship program for undergraduate and graduate college students. The center’s program not only seeks to transfer knowledge, but also actively engages students in field experimentation, critical thinking, synthesis and presentation of ideas, and leadership in project-level research. Through experiential learning, interns gain the hands-on field experience necessary to develop the particular skills and experiences important in the study of the natural sciences. Each intern is managed by a faculty member (intern advisor), who is responsible for instruction, supervision, and mentoring of the intern, as well as the design of a 10-week summer project.

The center’s summer internship program is concluded with the Student Symposium conducted in Alton, Illinois, in which student projects are presented. Audience members include NGRREC board members, instructors, advisors, and others with an interest in great rivers issues. Intern responsibilities include: an intensive intern project; Field experience (including site survey and analysis, data collection and cataloging, and instruction in research techniques and protocols); Analysis and synthesis of research into a seven- to ten-page report with supporting poster graphics; and Development and presentation of a PowerPoint presentation