The Shaw Institute for Field Training (SIFT) program located at Shaw Nature Reserve engages 10th and 11th grade students in immersive experiences in the environmental sciences.
Over the course of 11 months, students will 1) build research skills, 2) gain first-hand experience with careers in environmental sciences, and 3) develop a professional network in the St. Louis area.
SIFT kicks off with an intense week of summer training at Shaw Nature Reserve, after which students can earn a stipend by participating in various field programs featuring everything from prescribed fire, to bird banding, to fungal surveys. SIFT students gain a broad understanding of what it means to work as environmental scientists while they narrow their focus for future college and career opportunities.
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The Student Experience
During a one-week training session in June, students are introduced to a variety of Missouri ecosystems and taught skills necessary to conduct field research, including plant and animal identifications, biotic sampling and census techniques, testing of abiotic factors, and training in the use of GPS.
Over the rest of the summer and the following school year, students can participate in research, restoration, and educational activities at Shaw Nature Reserve, Tyson Research Center and other field research sites in the St. Louis area. Field programs may include invasive species management, habitat restoration, plant and animal inventories, data collection, and data entry. In addition to developing field skills, students also tour research facilities and learn from professionals about career pathways. For their work, students are paid a stipend based on the number of hours they spend at SIFT events.
Also during summer and winter: Missouri Botanical Garden Teen Network hosts two events where teens from all the MBG teen programs gather for a social event and enrichment activities
SIFT Participation Timeline
December: SIFT application becomes available
February: Application due date
March: Notification of acceptance
Early June: orientation meeting for accepted SIFT participants and parents
Early June: Training Week - five-day summer training session with overnight Thursday to Friday at the Dana Brown Overnight Center
June, July, early August: Weekly weekday 3-hour field programs
September- April: monthly weekend 3-hour field programs
Early October: Fall Gathering with a 6-hour Saturday event with field programming and community building
Early February: Winter Gathering with a weekend overnight at Shaw Nature Reserve
Late April: Spring Gathering with a 6-hour event with field programming and community building (final meeting)
Application information for Summer 2026
We strive to recruit a diverse group of teens from the St. Louis region. Current 9th and 10th graders should apply during the application window of December through February.
Due to the large number of applicants for a spot in a cohort of 20 participants, only students with completed applications, including two teacher recommendations and clear answers for each question, will be considered. Eligible applicants will then be selected by random lottery.
Application Timeline
Applications are due February 14, 2026, by 5 pm. No exceptions.
Once students have submitted their applications, the SIFT program coordinator will send a standard teacher recommendation form to the email addresses provided on the student application. Teachers can expect to receive these forms between February 1 and February 16, 2026.
Two teacher recommendations must be received by February 28, 2026, at 5 pm. Applications must be supported by teacher recommendation forms to be considered for acceptance.
Notification of acceptance to the SIFT program will be sent via email to the student and parent/guardian email addresses provided no later than March 15, 2026, at 5 pm.
Students must return commitment forms, signed by parent/guardian, by April 10, 2026. If commitment forms are not received by that date, then the student will no longer be eligible for the SIFT program.
Important Program Dates
Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 2 pm in-person Orientation at Shaw Nature Reserve OR Tuesday June 2, 2026, at 6 pm virtual Orientation over Zoom
June 8-12, 2026 - Training Week (with overnight from Thursday to Friday) at Shaw Nature Reserve
Saturday, October 3, 2026 - Fall Gathering at Shaw Nature Reserve
February 6-7, 2027 - Winter Gathering (with overnight) at Shaw Nature Reserve
Saturday, April 24, 2027 - Spring Gathering at Shaw Nature Reserve
Date to be determined - US Forest Service camping weekend at Mark Twain National Forest.
If you have questions, issues with the application submission, or concerns, please email snrsift@gmail.com.
The SIFT program is made possible through the generous contributions of the Mysun Charitable Foundation as well as the Missouri Botanical Garden, Tyson Research Center, and the US Forest Service.
Applications are due February 14, 2026, by 5 pm
