College of Science & Health (CSH)
FYRE (First Year Research Exposure)
About FYRE Program
First Year Research Exposure (FYRE) is an academic diversity initiative in the UWL College of Science and Health. Every year, we offer 15 undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in career and major exploration activities and enroll in gateway classes together. All FYRE students are matched with peer mentors and tutors to help them make a smooth transition to college life. Students who meet program expectations receive a $1000 scholarship during their second year at UWL.
We recruit incoming first year students to our program every Spring -- please get in touch with our staff if you'd like more information.
ADVANTAGES TO BEING A FYRE PARTICIPANT
Research Exposures
Each semester, FYRE students will attend 3-4 research exposures in a variety of disciplines. These research exposures serve as a way to introduce FYRE participants to a wide variety of STEM areas of research.
Priority Registration
FYRE participants will receive priority registration into major classes. In addition, they will be placed into general education courses with other FYRE students to help aid in developing a support network.
FYRE Mentors
FYRE participants will be paired with FYRE mentors during the duration of their first year of college. The mentors are former FYRE students who assist in making sure FYRE participants have a smooth transition to campus. Mentors and FYRE participants meet anywhere from one to four times a month for both academic and non-academic activities.
Tutoring
FYRE participants receive a variety of tutoring services through the program. In a typical year, there are tutoring services by both current faculty members and peer tutors. The areas of covered by tutors ranges and depends on the needs of the current FYRE participants.
GOALS & EXPECTATIONS OF THE PROGRAM
Goals for FYRE Program
The goal of the FYRE program at UW-La Crosse is to improve achievement and retention of its participants in STEM field introductory coursework and to introduce those participants to STEM field research experiences and majors. To meet this goal, we have established four primary objectives:
- Provide students with nine research preparation experiences designed to expose them to a variety of majors, career paths and research methods; and
- Retain 90% of FYRE participants at the UW-L and in the College of Science and Health; and
- 80% of FYRE participants will complete 2 introductory science courses (e.g., BIO 105, CHM 103) and 1 introductory math course (e.g. MTH 150) with a grade of C or higher; and
- 90% of FYRE program participants will apply to at least one additional research-based experience (McNair Scholars, WiscAMP summer research, REU/SROP).
Expectations of FYRE Participants
The FYRE program at UW-L is an academic diversity initiative in the College of Science and Health; we must report annually on our progress toward the above objectives and our programming has been developed with these objectives in mind. All FYRE activities are important for the academic and social development of our participants, and necessary for their successful completion of a baccalaureate degree and in preparation for the rigors of graduate study.
In order to successfully complete the FYRE program and receive their $1,000 stipends, participants must:
- Maintain a grade of C or higher in 2 introductory science courses and in 1 introductory math course;
- Enroll full-time (12+ credits) each semester, unless arrangements have been made in advance;
- Enroll in the FYRE UWL 199 course during Fall and Spring semester;
- Enroll in CST 110 FYRE sections in Fall;
- Set meaningful academic and professional developmental goals and meet with program staff weekly during UWL 199 for assessment of progress toward these goals;
- Complete a written self-evaluation and meet with staff for evaluation of progress and goals as requested;
- Participate and attend all events during the fall welcome and winter week activity;
- At the end of the program year, complete a follow-up needs assessment and create a professional development plan for their sophomore year at UW-L;
- Apply to at least one additional research-based experience during their education; and
- Regularly check my campus e-mail and the FYRE CANVAS (this is our course management system, you will learn more about this in fall) site for announcements& information.