Applications will be open to all MIT undergraduates, but priority will be given to NEET students. These four students, under the guidance of experts, will embark on a hands-on journey to set up sensor arrangements at over 50 field sites on the Blackfeet Reservation and collect baseline ecological measurements (vegetation, soil). Each site will consist of two stations, strategically placed 50 meters apart. These stations, equipped with cameras and acoustic traps, are designed to record the activities of passing wildlife. After the initial setup, students will be responsible for calibrating these sensors to ensure optimal data collection, and returning to the sites periodically to retrieve data, replace batteries, or repair damaged devices. 
But the experience isn't just about the technical aspects. As the days progress, students will find themselves returning to these sites, not just to gather data, but to understand the stories these sensors tell about the land and its inhabitants. They will also have the unique opportunity to work closely with ecologists and tribal members, refining their data collection methods and understanding the broader implications of their findings. 

The monitoring efforts are highly collaborative with the U.S. Park Service, Canada Parks, private and public universities, Blackfeet community college, non-profits, tribal offices, and governmental agencies collecting data within the buffalo pastures and conservation allotments. The program promises a rich learning experience for MIT students that will expose them to scientists and other professionals within academia, the park service, tribal offices, non-profits, and governmental agencies in the United States and Canada while giving a hands on example on how data can be used to promote tribal sovereignty and conservation efforts On the technical front, they will acquire practical skills in setting up, calibrating, and maintaining field sensors. They will learn the nuances of data collection in varied terrains, from accessible plains to challenging thickets and marshes. As they gather and analyze data, they will begin to understand the significance of their findings in the broader context of the reservation's ecosystem.
However, the most important learning extends well beyond the technical; they need to appreciate the socio-economic context of the Blackfeet community in order to design and implement meaningful approaches. Engaging with the Blackfeet community will offer students invaluable insights into the tribe's relationship with the environment. They will learn how traditional value systems reflect long-standing ecological understandings of local habitats. They will begin to see the data not just as numbers, but as narratives of a people and their land. Under the joint supervision of Dr. Jordan Kennedy and Dr. Nathan Melenbrink, students will receive continuous feedback, ensuring that their work is both scientifically rigorous and culturally sensitive. Weekly meetings with Dr. Kennedy and other experts will provide a platform for students to discuss their findings, address challenges, and refine their methodologies.
In conclusion, this collaboration with the Blackfeet Nation offers a unique blend of technical fieldwork and cultural immersion. It promises not just to address pressing environmental challenges but to do so in a way that respects and reinforces the rich cultural heritage of the Blackfeet people.