Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
On March 30, 2026, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) and NASA Science Activation program’s Learning Ecosystems Northeast (LENE) project hosted the third Findings from the Field Student Research Symposium. The event welcomed 106 students in grades four through eight, 29 educators, and 15 subject matter experts, and featured 68 research posters, 14 lightning talks, and five discussion sessions.
This year, the symposium encouraged students to treat data as interactive conversation elements, inspired by the Data Vandals art group. This contrasted with traditional science communication, allowing students to actively annotate visuals.
Discussion groups were redesigned so students sat at the main table while adults and experts sat behind them, centering youth as professionals and highlighting their scientific findings.
Dr. Dave Reidmiller, Chief Impact Officer at GMRI, delivered a keynote emphasizing that "Science is a team sport," a theme echoed in student discussions about collaboration and shared scientific inquiry.
A notable addition was undergraduate students serving as mentors, bridging younger participants and professional scientists and making scientific careers more accessible.
The afternoon focused on student poster presentations, where students presented their research to peers and scientists, including leaders from the Maine Forest Service and NASA-affiliated researchers.