Find Your Research Environment

FIND YOUR RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT (FYRE) provides meaningful campus introductions to local high school students planning to attend the University of Arizona and interested in science, environment and resilience.

Find Your Research Environment (FYRE) features two student engagement components. First, we welcome small groups of Tucson-area high school seniors admitted or applying to the U of A in friendly, interactive, and personalized small-group field trips. Second, we continue to provide career and academic support to those who attend the U of A throughout their first semester.

FYRE field trips allow students to explore a variety of majors and opportunities related to their academic interests as they prepare to become official Wildcats. First semester programming introduces students to campus resources and goal-setting with a first-year retreat, coaching and a stipend. Together, the field trip and first semester programming enable students to identify campus resources, build their personal support network and set goals for their time at the U of A and beyond.

FYRE was successfully founded in the fall of 2023 in partnership with Flowing Wells High School. We are excited to expand the program to serve more local high schools, increasing access for first-generation, Hispanic and other underrepresented students.

Inquire to learn more about FYRE

Purpose

Our goal is to increase recruitment, retention and career outcomes of underrepresented students from southern Arizona with interest in science and environmental resilience by creating a sense of opportunity and community before they start college and during their first semester and beyond. Data show that internships and relationships with advisors and faculty improve students’ post-graduation career outcomes. FYRE supports tomorrow's environmental leaders by helping them develop relationships and begin to strategize for success early through (I) High School Field Trips and (II) First-Year Development.

Participate in Find Your Research Environment

These one-day field trips introduce students to the U of A experience through small group tours and conversations with faculty, staff, and alumni from their high school. Students will leave the field trip with a better understanding of university resources and environmental education pathways as well as a stronger network of peers, staff and faculty they can rely on for support.

Themes

Each field trip is customized to student interest, working closely with high schools and U of A partners. Field trip focus areas include the following:

Human & Environmental Health
Research & Engineering in Sustainability
Sustainability & Business
Bioscience & the Environment

First-year development will be available to all students who participate in a FYRE field trip and start at the U of A. Continued participation in FYRE throughout the first year of college will help strengthen students’ support network and sense of community and potential on campus.

Fall Retreat: Learn about environmental research, internships and careers, then set long-term goals and learn how to achieve them.
1:1 Coaching: Meet with a major exploration advisor or career coach at least once in first year to strategize goals and identify resources in a safe space.
Participation Stipend: Receive a $250 stipend at the end of their first semester to instill the value of their time and participation in professional settings.

Our Intended Impact

Faculty and staff connections are invaluable for student success

Students who felt supported by faculty and staff in their career goals were 1.8 times more likely to report full time employment or continuing education after completing their undergraduate studies. FYRE connects students to faculty and staff before even starting their first semester and enables meaningful goal-setting conversations. We expect these connections will empower students to take timely action in fostering their careers.