Minnesota State Moorhead Regional Science Center

10/02/2026

Sunrise on the Prairie

09/28/2026

07/24/2026

We are very happy to announce that the Regional Science Center Interpretative Center Building has been undergoing a series of renovations this summer. These changes will include:
• A new wall constructed between the classroom and the exhibit hall with a dedicated entrance
• A new wall at the east end of the classroom closing in the window to the Observatory control room and the moving of the entrance door to the Observatory control room to the east hallway
• New paint throughout the facility reflecting MSUM color branding
• New flooring in the entrance area and the east and west hallways
• Educational painting will begin for new exhibit displays and signage
• Out of date/damaged chairs and tables will be removed and replaced
• Lower level will be reorganized to provide better storage for research equipment and recreational/outdoor equipment, including dedicated rooms

These renovations are Phase 1 of a new "re-imagined" Regional Science Center. Here are some pictures to show the work and the progress.

And a big shout out to MSUM Executive Director of Facilities Management Brenda Norris, Building & Grounds Maintenance Supervisor Kyle Kopeck, and their crew for all their hard work!

03/02/2026

From its beginnings to the present day ........

01/20/2026

An introduction to the Regional Science Center.

Experience the joy of nature at the MSUM Regional Science Center.

01/20/2026

Research Spotlight:
For several researchers, the Buffalo River at the RSC is an important site for their research. NDSU Professor Trung Le and his graduate student team have been studying river ice.

"River ice is a common phenomenon in cold regions during winter. Its presence alters the hydrodynamics of rivers from the ice boundary to the riverbed. In this project, we developed new methodologies to study ice-covered flows in small and medium-sized rivers using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), pointwise measurements, and computer simulation. A series of field measurement campaigns were conducted to validate our models in the Buffalo River, Minnesota. Our results show a significant impact of ice cover in changing the spatial arrangement of the flow structures. Specifically, the flow is altered significantly near the bend apex near both banks. Our results suggest that ice coverage promotes flow dynamics near banks in winter. Our work reveals a hidden role of ice coverage in moderating flows near riverbanks in winter. This work proposes a fundamental framework to study river ice dynamics and also provides practical tools for monitoring and predicting flow profiles under ice conditions in rivers of cold regions, which are under pressure of a changing cryosphere globally. This study is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER award #2239799."

01/20/2026

Did you know, the Regional Science Center is more than SCIENCE?

Since it's beginning the RSC has hosted and supported numerous arts and humanities functions and projects!

01/20/2026

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

Did you know in 1996 nationally recognized nature and wildlife artist Gary Moss conducted four days of workshops at the RSC for Moorhead's middle and high school students?

This was part of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Art Institute, and demonstrates the RSC's capacity to embrace the arts and humanities. Today the RSC continues to champion not only science, but the arts and humanities as well.

01/20/2026

Did you know, each year thousands of K-12 students from Minnesota and North Dakota visit the Regional Science Center? We host school visits primarily in the late summer/early fall and late spring, integrating outdoor programming with indoor experiences.

01/20/2026

Today’s environmental focus at the Regional Science Center is Sage. Artemisia ludoviciana, commonly known as White Sage or Prairie Sage, is a perennial plant that grows native to Minnesota and the RSC. Large stands of sage are found throughout the southern areas of the RSC.

For the Ojibwe, white sage is known as Mashkode wiingashk. For the Ojibwe and other indigenous groups, sage is a sacred plant used for spiritual healing, cleansing, and medicine.