6/1/2025
Ongoing opportunity

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Professional Development

Milkweed Research offers multiple opportunities for teachers to get involved in research about a unique, naturally hybridized milkweed that occurs in South Dakota.

The Olson-Manning lab is at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD and is focused on the ecological, evolutionary, molecular, and biochemical aspects of milkweeds in South Dakota. Specifically, they are focused on two species of milkweed (Showy milkweed and Common milkweed) that have native ranges spanning the continental United States, with a hybrid zone in central SD. In collaboration with educators, they aim to plant milkweed gardens at K12 schools that will be used in conjunction with a newly developed curriculum and will also provide their lab with valuable data.


Expectation of educators: There are 3 collaboration options that educators can participate in, educators can participate in one or multiple options.

• Participation in a workshop (“Exploring Life's Continuum: From Molecules to Organisms") with Sanford Promise lab where we will incorporate milkweed biology with molecular and biochemical techniques (DNA genotyping, colorimetric analysis, etc.). The workshop will be July 14th-17th, 2025 at Sanford Research in Sioux Falls, SD. This is an opportunity for 24 teachers with a stipend of $125 per day for four days. To register go to: https://research.sanfordhealth.org/academic-programs/community and look under Professional Development.
   
• Collaboration with South Dakota Discovery Center to develop a curriculum to implement the ecological, evolutionary, molecular, biochemical, or other aspects of milkweed gardens.Starting October 2026 with a curriculum due date of Jan 2026. This is an opportunity for 5 teachers with a stipend of $1000 per teacher. Register to indicate interest.
   
• Implementation of the newly developed curriculum into classrooms by coordinating with our lab to plant a milkweed garden (we will do the planting), perform a short pre- and post- assessment, and provide feedback on the curriculum. This is an opportunity for 10 teachers with a stipend of $500 per teacher, necessary supplies will be provided. Spring 2026.

Please contact Carrie Olson-Manning at carrie.olsonmanning@augie.edu for information about the research project. 

UNITED STATES

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