IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Students at College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) now have the opportunity to earn college credit while spending two immersive weeks in and around Yellowstone National Park, exploring one of the most ecologically and geologically significant regions in the world.

The course, titled Ecosystems of Yellowstone National Park, is a summer field course designed and led by Dr. Pamela O’Hearn and Dr. LJ Krumenacker. Now in its second year, the course blends classroom learning with hands-on fieldwork in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem — offering students a one-of-a-kind educational experience just hours from home.

“Students here live in the shadow of one of the most important areas both ecologically and geologically,” said Dr. O’Hearn. “Our goal is to help them understand and appreciate the workings of this unique landscape, and to get them truly excited about the place they live.”

The course was born out of conversations with students, many of whom shared that they had never been to Yellowstone or Grand Teton National Parks, despite living nearby. Dr. O’Hearn noted that single-day trips didn’t offer enough time for in-depth learning, so the faculty team developed a more immersive experience.

The course begins with a week on campus, where students are introduced to basic ecological and geological concepts, field research techniques, and practical skills for camping and conducting outdoor science. From there, the class travels to Gardiner, Montana, where they stay at a developed campground just outside the park. The site provides modern amenities such as showers, Wi-Fi, and electricity to support both daily living and fieldwork.

Over the next two weeks, students conduct research, explore park landscapes, and study wildlife, water systems, rock formations, and more — all under the guidance of professional ecologists and geologists. The trip also includes a behind-the-scenes visit to a paleontology collection in Bozeman, Montana, where students learn about fossil care, curation, and research practices.

Students are provided with camping gear, transportation, park entrance, field notebooks, and access to a curated field reference library. The course is open to CEI students interested in environmental science, biology, geology, and outdoor education.

“Our hope is to spark curiosity and connection,” said Dr. O’Hearn. “This course helps students see and understand the incredible environment that surrounds them.”

For more information on CEI’s summer field programs and enrollment opportunities, visit www.cei.edu.