Minnesota State Moorhead Regional Science Center

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.

01/20/2026

Did you know the MSUM Regional Science Center has an interpretative center? Not only does the RSC host MSUM and K-12 courses and scientific research outside, it also has a museum that focuses on the Buffalo River ecosystem. K-12 educational programs tie the outdoor experiences to the indoor exhibits to further enhance the visitor experiences. Included in our displays is our centerpiece exhibit on buffalo.

01/20/2026

Did you know MSUM’s Regional Science Center hosts regional and national events? Not only does the RSC serve the MSUM community, but hosts meetings, retreats, conferences, professional development training, and community events.

For example, from July the RSC hosted the PRAIRIE Earth Partnerships four-day professional development and community education program. Twenty-none participants engaged in hands-on ecological restoration activities and environmental education.

01/20/2026

What's on our mind?

Did you know the Buffalo River at the Regional Science Center is a living laboratory and classroom not only for MSUM students, but for K-12 and University students across the region?

Annually, the RSC is visited by thousands of K-12 students who learn and explore throughout the facility, including the Buffalo River. For example, MSUM partnered with the International Water Institute to due presentations on the Buffalo River with K-12 students from Hawley School and D-G-F schools.

MSUM also engages with the Buffalo River as part of numerous courses. In fact, recently in summer 2025, Geoscience course GEOS 390 “Geography and Hydrology of the Red River Basin”, led by Dr. Paul Sando, was taught at the RSC not only “on” the river, but “in” it as well!

01/20/2026

What's on our mind? "Buffalo"!

Did you know the Buffalo River is a 139-mile long river that flows westward, cutting through the Regional Science Center, and flowing into the Red River of the North near Georgetown, MN.?

Did you know that the name “Buffalo River” comes from the Ojibwe people, who referred to one of the tributaries of the river as Bizhiki ziibi meaning "Buffalo River," (Bizhiki ‘Buffalo’ and ziibi ‘river’)? Later the name was applied to the whole waterway by settlers. The name is most likely derived from the practice of buffalo wintering in the gallery forest along the river.