Future Alaskans in Fisheries & Marine Science

Tips on Finding and Applying to summer research programs!

2012-01-25T11:48:00.000-08:00

Paid Summer Research Experiences:

What are they good for? How does it all work?

Tips on Finding and Applying to Programs

- Join a webinar on Thurs, Feb 2nd at 7 p.m. EDT for a short presentation followed by a Question & Answer period.

- Learn how to search for and apply to paid summer research experiences.

- Preregistration is requested. Please sign up and pre-share your questions with us at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DSCCWF5

The Institute for Broadening Participation (IBP) is a non-profit organization created to design and implement strategies to increase access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and careers for diverse underrepresented groups. Web: www.pathwaystoscience.org

Questions about webinar?

Please contact:

Chris Cash

Director of Student Assistance Programs

Institute for Broadening Participation

P.O. Box 607

Damariscotta, ME 04543

ccash@ibparticipation.org

Volunteer Summer Internship Opportunity

2012-01-23T11:05:00.000-08:00

The Kachemak Bay Research Reserve is looking for 2 volunteer Summer Marine Science Education Interns to work with Reserve staff from June 11 - August 18, 2012. Interns will enhance the experience of Homer visitors through interpretation, one-on-one assistance, and hands-on demonstration related to a variety of marine / coastal environment themes at KBNERR Discovery Labs, outdoor Estuary Hikes, and special events. Interns will work 30 hours per week. Weekly food allowance and housing is available also. Check out their website for more information and to get an application. Applications are due by March 18th, 2012!

Girl Scouts of Alaska Science event

2011-12-05T14:10:00.000-08:00

Girl Scouts of Alaska is looking for women who work in fields of science, technology, engineering or math. They will be offering Women of Science and Technology Day to girls across the state and are looking for people to do workshops with girls grades 4-12. Women of Science gives school-aged girls a chance to discover the fun of science and connect with women who work in STEM fields through hands-on workshops. Right now there are three opportunities available:

► Anchorage: Saturday, February 4, 2012 at UAA

► Wasilla: Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Mat-Su College

► Kodiak: Saturday, April 14, 2012 at Kodiak College

If you would be interested in helping out with this awesome opportunity please contact:

Kay Shoemaker (Anchorage & Kodiak events)

kshoemaker@girlscoutsalaska.org

(907) 273-0393 / 800-478-7448

Julie Alexander (Mat-Su event)

jalexander@girlscoutsalaska.org

(907) 376-3822

Sitka Whalefest 2011

2011-11-28T12:52:00.000-08:00

Sitka Whalefest this year was awesome! The three day event is the quintessential community engagement activity. Ten scientists involved in marine science come from around the nation and the state to give presentations to the general public in Sitka. The week before many of these scientists participate in the famed Scientists in the Schools program. There is a sea chanty concert, a banquet and several whalewatching cruises. This year the weather cancelled one cruise and so the scientists did a Scientists in the Schools activity for grown ups. There are special opportunities for students to attend for college credit and this year third to fifth graders attended with special discussion sessions with scientists. Dr. Francis Wiese, science director for North Pacific Research Board met with younger students to talk about what to expect at a science conference.

Katy Payne a Research Associate in the Bioacoustics Research Program of Cornell University's Laboratory of Ornithology was the keynote speaker at the fundraising Whalefest banquet this year. And the symposium itself had speakers talking on subjects as octopus research(Reid Brewer); Sperm whale bioacoustics(Aron Thode, Scripps Oceanographic); Ricketts and Calvin historical research(John Straley). There was also a reception at the Sitka Sound Science Center where volunteers showed visitors around the killer whale re-articulation project. Check out www.sitkawhalefest.org to see the run down of speakers and events.

We would like to thank Lisa Busch, director of the Sitka Sound Science Center, for this wonderful recap of the Sitka Whalefest!!

Awesome Volunteer Opportunity!

2011-11-10T11:01:00.001-08:00

The Alaska Marine Science Symposium organizing committee is seeking interested student volunteers to help with a variety of work including timekeeping, registration desk, and poster sessions. The AMSS will be held at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, from 16-20 January 2012.

Since 2002, scientists from Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond have come to the Alaska Marine Science Symposium to communicate research activities in the marine regions off Alaska. Researchers and students in marine science re-connect with old colleagues and meet new ones. Plenary and poster sessions feature a broad spectrum of ocean science. The Symposium features the latest in the fields of climate, oceanography, the benthos, fishes and invertebrates, seabirds, marine mammals, local and traditional knowledge, and socioeconomic research. The Symposium also features compelling keynote speakers, workshops and special sessions. Explore the website for more information: http://www.alaskamarinescience.org/

This can be a great chance for a student interested in science to meet new people involved in the field, and to get an up-close look at the work required to host the Symposium.

If you’re interested, to learn more and discuss options please get in touch with the volunteer coordinator, Tom Van Pelt:

tvanpelt@nprb.org

907-644-6715

Marine Hydraulics course!

2011-11-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

Looking for some additional training on Marine Hydraulics? Contact UAS about their online 6 hour course! Only $95. Remaining classes are November 8-11th and 15-18th so sign up today.

Coalition Survey

2011-10-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

The Steering Committee of the Alaska Marine Science and Fisheries Career Coalition is in the process of revisiting there goals and would appreciate your input. This survey is short and should not take more than 10 minutes of your time. Your thoughts are invaluable to this process. The survey can be found at here!

2012 Alaska Young Fishermen's Summit February 13th and 14th

2011-09-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

The 4th annual Alaska Young Fishermen's Summit will be taking place February 13-14 in Juneau, Alaska. In addition to providing crucial training and networking opportunities for fishermen entering the business or wishing to take a leadership role in their industry, the summit will also take advantage of the Juneau location by introducing participants to the legislative process, and introducing the fish caucus of the legislature to the issues and concerns of Alaska’s emerging fishermen.

This two day conference will address four main topics:

The nuts and bolts of managing the financial aspects of a successful fishing business
Methods for participating in the fisheries regulatory process
The role of Alaskan seafood in the world marketplace
The science and management of our sustainable fisheries.

The three previous Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summits have brought together over 180 up-and-coming fishermen from communities from all around Alaska to participate in focused discussions and problem-solving sessions with industry experts like keynote speakers Arne Fuglvog, Clem Tillion, Robin Samuelson, Linda Behnken and Al Burch.

The 2012 Summit, will include many of the same speakers, while also focusing on the new opportunities available because of the Juneau location.

Registration is open online and early registration is only $100. There are only 75 spots open so register early! More information can be found here and on their Facebook!

Fishing People of the North meeting starts tomorrow September 14th 2011

2011-09-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

Fishing People of the North symposium to discuss social, environmental change

Anchorage, Alaska—Coastal fishing communities throughout the circumpolar north are in the midst of rapid social and environmental change. An international symposium coming to Anchorage this month will bring together fishery and social scientists, indigenous people, fishermen, community activists, and others to discuss how these changes are affecting fishing-dependent coastal communities, and explore ways fisheries managers can incorporate social and environmental change in resource management decisions.

Fishing People of the North: Cultures, Economies, and Management Responding to Change will explore the human and environmental dimensions of fishery management in a rapidly changing world. The symposium will be held at the Hilton Downtown Anchorage Hotel, in Anchorage, Alaska, September 14-17, 2011. The symposium is the 27th in the Lowell Wakefield Fisheries Symposium series that began in 1982.

"This symposium comes at a critical time for coastal Alaska and other regions of the north that are experiencing unprecedented environmental and social changes," said Courtney Carothers, an environmental anthropologist and assistant professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. "It's vital that coastal communities, scientists, and resource managers have a way to exchange research and ideas that can help fishing communities respond and adapt to these transitions in ways that help them foster their lifestyles, cultures, and values."

In Alaska, for example, as veteran fishermen age, fewer young people are choosing to follow in their footsteps. In many coastal communities, fishing permits have been sold out-of-state as local fishermen retire. Alaska Native fishermen have resource knowledge to share, but often have no clear way of working with fisheries managers. As the ocean warms, fish stocks are moving north, potentially creating new fisheries that bring opportunities and challenges for Arctic coastal residents. Alaska fishermen also must cope with the higher cost of living in remote coastal communities, a maze of state and federal fishing regulations, and ever-changing global markets.

Researchers, indigenous people, fishermen and others from Alaska—and places including Denmark, Norway, Canada, Russian, Japan, Greenland, Washington state and Oregon—will offer their perspectives on the broad themes of human-environmental relationships, fishing communities in transition, indigenous knowledge, and governance and management issues facing northern fishing communities.

Alaska Native leaders Sasha Lindgren and Clare Swan are among the symposia’s keynote speakers.

Alexandra "Sasha" Lindgren is an Elder of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and has worked for her Tribe for over twenty years in cultural and educational programs.

Clare Swan is the current board chair of the Cook Inlet Tribal Council, and former chief of the Kenaitze Indian tribe. Swan helped secure fishing rights for her tribe, and helped establish the Cook Inlet Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. In 2011 she was inducted into the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame.

Fishing People of the North: Cultures, Economies, and Management Responding to Change

27th Lowell Wakefield Fisheries Symposium

Hilton Downtown Anchorage Hotel

Anchorage, Alaska, USA

September 14–17, 2011

Information, program and schedule online at:

http://seagrant.uaf.edu/conferences/2011/wakefield-people/index.php

AMSFCC August Newsletter

2011-08-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

The Alaska Marine Science & Fisheries Coalition has a bunch of exciting things to share from this summer! Check out our August newsletter to see what our VISTA did this summer, how the AMSFCC funded internships went, and find out who joined the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

AMSFCC's intern in Sitka

2011-08-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

Taylor White was an intern at the Sitka Sound Science Center in Sitka. Learn more about her summer adventures and future plans in the interview below.

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in beautiful Sitka, Alaska. I am lucky enough to have grow up in tide pools and salty waves.

What is your educational background?

Hailing from a small island community, I didn’t have many options in accordance to schooling. I attended the local school system, including the public high school Sitka High. I graduated in 2009 and am now working on my undergraduate degree in Biology-Environmental Studies at Whitman College.

What got you interested in the marine sciences/fisheries?

The intertidal biodiversity and beauty here in Sitka is what initially had me interested in marine science. Growing up I wanted to know the names of all the animals and who ate who. Going to the beach never got old for me and my enthusiasm for such simple creatures as a ochre star is what motivated me to research more on the topic.

Interests:

I enjoy adventuring or basically any activity involving the discovery of the outdoors including hiking, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and swimming. I’m particularly interested in marine invertebrates in the Pacific Northwest and like learning more about them via these modes of exploration.

Career Goals:

At the moment I hope to finish my Biology - Environmental Studies undergraduate degree at Whitman College then travel to see the vast shores of other oceans. Eventually I hope to focus on some mode of marine science and go to graduate school and obtain a career in the field of my marine science. I could image myself working on intertidal surveys, but I also might branch out to drug designs based on invertebrate compounds or conservation biology and related research.

What are your primary responsibilities at your internship?

The duties of my internship here involve/ have involved being an instructor at the Sitka Sound Science Center’s Marine Science Summer Camp, basic maintenance of the aquarium, tour giving (which requires some expertise as to what the small tanks and touch tanks contain), collecting for the aquarium (this includes snorkeling and kayaking to collect), helping update the Sitka Sound Science Center’s Facebook page, maintaining an internship blog for Seagrant, helping with a killer whale bone articulation project, and assisting with any other projects the Science Center takes on.

Favorite memory or what you like most about your internship

Snorkeling to collect is both one of my favorite activities as well as the cause for one of my favorite memories here. I was snorkeling a beach on the road system on a dismally rainy day. It was 7 am and I wasn’t sure I wanted to jump into our frigid waters, but as soon as I did the clouds broke and the sun shone through the water revealing all sorts of colorful rockfish nearly blending with the pink coralline encrusted rocks. It was the perfect day for collecting and I didn’t even know it. Moments like these remind me of why I wake up at 6 in the morning and why I love this cold salty coast and all its critters.

How has living on the coast and/or being an Alaska Native influenced your occupational choice?

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve grown up with my head in tide pools and have always found myself interested in all things marine from intertidal critters to SCUBA diving. The particular coast I live on has evolved throughout my life so that I have been able to see, first hand, the human impacts on the intertidal environment. First a dock was put in near my home, then a fueling station, and finally a cruise ship dock. All the while I collected odd ends of trash that clearly floated on many currents only to wash up on my doorstep. The obvious and avoidable destruction of places that were once pristine is another reason I am so driven to know all there is to know about this environment and how to preserve the intertidal ecosystem.

What helped you get to where you are today and/or what roadblocks did you have to over come?

My desire to be involved in the intertidal meant that I signed up for a volunteer position at the local aquarium (the Molly Algren Aquarium which was later absorbed by the SSSC). I volunteered for two years here with other jobs on the side, but then I was able to join the staff as an intern. Now I’m involved in a lot of the research and projects the Sitka Sound Science Center is covering. Going to school, away from an ocean, where many of the students come from large cities and private schools, was difficult at first for me. However, I soon realized that so long as I invest time both in the intertidal (during breaks) and in school (studying basic biology) I still am working toward a career in marine science.

Any advice for young coastal Alaskan's who are interested in the marine sciences and fisheries?

Definitely - You are living in an place that is at the forefront of changes to the environment due to ocean acidification, rising temperatures, overfishing, etc. Therefore you have the first hand knowledge of what needs to be preserved and are lucky enough to be surrounded by marine labs and scientists. Talk to these people. Share your concerns and get involved. If you have a passion for your environment then there’s no stopping you. Who else would know how to better protect it?

AMSFCC's intern in Kodiak

2011-08-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

Paige Papineau worked on marine mammal research with UAF researchers, Kate Wynne and Bree Witteveen, in Kodiak. Check out the interview below to learn more!

Where did you grow up?

I was a coasty kid but didn’t move around a whole lot. I was born in Port Huron, MI then moved to Hawaii until the age of three and then up to Kodiak, AK. I consider myself a Kodiak Kid because I feel living here has shaped me the way I am.

What is your educational background?

Graduated from Kodiak High School in 2010 and I am currently pursuing my bachelors in Marine Biology at Hawaii Pacific University.

What got you interested in the marine sciences/fisheries?

Living along the coast near the ocean got me hooked on marine science. I was and still am fascinated with the creatures and how they adapt and respond to their environment.

Interests:

I am interested in traveling and culture. I love to travel and experience new culture and the way they view the world compared to us.

Career Goals:

I hope to obtain my bachelors’ degree and come back to Alaska to work in the fishing and marine field while later on obtaining my Masters and further down the line my PH.D.

What are your primary responsibilities at your internship?

The primary responsibilities of my internship at Fish Tech were photo identification, preparing lab samples, entering data into excel spread sheets, and helping other facility along with photoing flukes and dorsals when out on the boat.

Favorite memory or what you like most about your internship

My favorite memory of my internship was when we were out on the water and just before we got to Chiniak we saw a breacher followed be peck slaps and while we were circling them trying to take photos a female humpback started gulp feeding. It was amazing to watch such magnificent creatures in their own habitat and see just how enormous they are.

How has living on the coast and/or being an Alaska Native influenced your occupational choice?

Living along the coast in Alaska has molded my career choices dramatically, it’s very rare that people in landlocked states want to study marine biology and my friends down at HPU who are trying have a very hard time connecting to the ocean and it’s ways because saltwater isn’t in their veins and the ocean isn’t a big deal back home. For me I want to stay in Alaska and fisheries runs our state mainly so living where the ocean means so much is such a blessing.

What helped you get to where you are today and/or what roadblocks did you have to over come?

My family has helped me get to where I am today. They have and still support my decision to go to college. Without them I wouldn’t be as strong willed as I am now to finish my degree.

Any advice for young coastal Alaskan's who are interested in the marine sciences and fisheries?

Make sure this is the career you want before diving head first in school. Many of my friends at HPU that this was for them but after a year or two they are just now figuring out it isn’t for them. Take on summer jobs in the field and just enjoy yourself. And remember marine science isn’t always fun and games, you have to get down and dirty outside as well as in the office.

AMSFCC's intern in Juneau

2011-08-25T10:32:00.000-07:00

Jaspri Sylvan worked with Dr. Ginny Eckert from the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences in her lab in Juneau. Learn more about her and her summer in the interview below!

Where did you grow up?

Juneau, Alaska

What is your educational background?

2010 Juneau Douglas High School Graduate and now a student of Brown University

Interests:

Growing up in Alaska got me interested in marine science. I have always been fascinated with marine life and I also really enjoy fishing and harvesting from nature. I have a great appreciation for the environment in which we live and share with so many different creatures. Conserving our environment is my greatest motivator for pursuing the marine sciences.

Career Goals:

My plans are to earn a bachelor degree in biology and a master’s degree in a more specialized area (presumably marine biology). From there I will pursue a career in which I can conduct research and seek ways in which we can live on this earth without decimating natural resources. However, I will keep my options open, and perhaps I will pursue a teaching job as well.

What are your primary responsibilities at your internship?

I am the primary caretaker of the wet lab that contains all of the live specimens. I make crab food, feed crab, clean the tanks, and make sure that the crab are overall content. There are a couple of on-going studies in the lab that I record data for. Together a graduate student and I take phytoplankton samples in Auke Bay. We analyze the samples to detect for Alexandrium (PSP causing dinoflagellate). I’ve also worked on a project studying the growth rate of juvenile king crab.

Favorite memory or what you like most about your internship

What I’ve liked most about my internship this summer is meeting so many experienced scientists. It’s great being part of a community actively learning and exploring interesting and important topics. There is such a wide variety of areas to explore. It’s been helpful witnessing what being and becoming a marine scientist entails. I know what to expect and I’m excited for it.

How has living on the coast and/or being an Alaska Native influenced your occupational choice?

Living in Southeast Alaska has had a huge impact on my interest in marine science, environmental studies, resource management and conservation. I grew up exploring the wilderness and following my curiosities with life of all sorts. I hope to one day have a career that allows me to stay in Alaska studying, and preserving its beauty.

What helped you get to where you are today and/or what roadblocks did you have to over come?

Relentless support and encouragement from my family, a good attitude, and eagerness to learn helped me get where I am today.

Any advice for young coastal Alaskan's who are interested in the marine sciences and fisheries?

My advice for those who are interested in the marine sciences is to volunteer! Get out there and meet local scientists and see if you can get some experience in their lab or help out with their research in any way. Start making connections and get your name out there.

AMSFCC funds three internships for coastal Alaskans

2011-08-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

The Alaska Marine Science and Fisheries Career Coalition funded three interns this summer. Funds from the National Marine Fisheries Service to the Coalition were used to fund these interns – one with the Sitka Sound Science Center, another with Dr. Ginny Eckert from the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences at her lab in Juneau and the third working on marine mammals out of Kodiak with UAF researchers, Kate Wynne and Bree Witteveen. Check out the blogs to come to learn more about them, their career goals, and what they did this summer!

Crowley Maritime Corporation Scholarships!

2011-08-12T11:46:00.000-07:00

Crowley Maritime Corporation is offering two $5,000 scholarships to students in the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, with two more $5,000 scholarships for two students from the general student population at UAF. Preference will be given to Alaska Native students and students from communities that Crowley serves as the main marine fuel supply and distribution company. Awards will be announced September 2nd so apply quickly! Please contact UAF's Financial Aid Office for more information.

Bristol Bay Salmon Camp July 28th - August 2nd

2011-08-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

The Bristol Bay Economical Development Corporation (BBEDC) has offered a five day summer camp called Salmon Camp for a number of years however this year was a whole new adventure. In past years the camp has been open for only students in the Bristol Bay region however, this year, a grant from NOAA allowed the camp to expand and allowed six High School students around Alaska to join in on the fun. Eleven students total attended the camp and came from Scammon Bay, Fairbanks, Wrangle, Anchorage, Petersburg, Huslia, Twin Hills, Manokotak, Port Heiden, and Dillingham.

Salmon camp took place on Lake Aleknagik and included a variety of field activities. Skiffs were used as transportation to get us around to explore different creeks in the area. The students used seine nets and fishing poles to catch salmon and char to collect data on and dissect. They also collected data on the creek characteristics, macroinvertebrates, and water quality for the different creeks we visited. At the base camp the campers learned about renewable energy and charged batteries for lights and computers using solar panels, a windmill, and a bike. Groups of students were also challenged with a project they choose and also presented at BBEDC upon our return to Dillingham.

This camp was an awesome opportunity for the students to learn more about stream and salmon ecology, interact with new people, and explore an area that most of them had never been to before. We would like to say thanks to the counselors, Dr. Todd, our visitors from the Bristol Bay Campus, and Shawn from NOAA who all played a part in this awesome camp!

Fish Dissections!

2011-07-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the opportunity to volunteer with the Middle School Academy held through ANSEP at the UAA campus. I joined the students on a day they were taking classes in genetics, ecology, hydrology, and dissection. I volunteered in the dissection lab and led three small groups through their exploration of a rainbow trout. Each kid had their own fish and we worked together to identify all the external and internal body parts of the fish. Some of the kids were really into the dissections, while others were not. However, they all participated and learned a lot. After the clean up, the students completed their dissection worksheets and were given the chance to check out some other previously dissected creatures.

To learn more about what ANSEP is all about and all the opportunities they offer check out their website!

2011 ADF&G Youth Days June 13 - 15th

2011-06-22T15:26:00.000-07:00

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game held an outdoor youth days camp last week and the week before in Anchorage. These two camps lasted three days each and were open for kids ages 10-14. The camp is design to promote awareness and respect of Alaska’s natural resources and outdoor activities. The three days were filled with fishing, hunter safety, survival skills, map and compass education, wildlife ID and tracking, boating safety, ecology, and lots more.

I helped out during the second week to teach the kids about animal tracks, scat, watershed ecology, and a little fishing too. Thirty kids were divided into three groups and spent about an hour and a half in each area. On Monday we met at the Rabbit Creek shooting range and I worked with Elizabeth Manning. The kids first made plaster replicas of animal tracks. We also had a game that helped the kids learn how to identify scat and a relay to see how well they knew their tracks. We also had the kids break up into small groups and conduct a scavenger hunt while they made their way down to a crime scene. Earlier in the morning Elizabeth set up an area with feathers, tracks, and fake blood so that the kids could figure out what happened. The small groups were let in one at a time to scan the area and then were given a wanted list to help them figure out who died and who did it. After everyone had a look they all got to share what they thought had happened and they all had a variety of ideas. It was a lot of fun!

I joined the camp again on Wednesday when the kids were learning about identifying fish, looking at macroinvertebrates, learning salmon anatomy and life cycle, and learning how to fish. The longest activities were fly fishing and spin casting. The kids learned knots, how to cast, and once they were all setup with hooks got to go out and do some fishing at the lake. Although no fish were caught the kids had a blast and could have spent all day out there with their poles.

This camp was a great way to get the kids outside while learning about different aspects of science. Plus the kids all walked away with loads of information and even got a fishing pole so they continue to practice their safe fishing skills.

2011 Making Waves Summer Camp!

2011-06-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

The Sitka Sound Science Center offered a summer camp for grades 7 – 9 from May 31^st till June 10^th this year. This camp allowed students to explore marine biology, fisheries, and marine mammal science through fun, hands-on experiences. During the first week the kids learned basic laboratory skills, went kayaking, explored nearby beaches, and even got to snorkel with Coast Guard rescue swimmers.

A few days into the camp I joined in on the fun and worked with three wonderful counselors including one of the AMSFCC funded interns, Taylor. The second week included activities that ranged from combing beaches to cleaning whale bones. The kids caught fish for the center using a beach seine and enjoyed scooping up the fish, releasing the ones we couldn’t keep, and identifying them all. They learned about Humpbacks and scientific communication. They also had their own mini Ocean Science Bowl competition and even got to explore some little caves. They also got to play some games including a version of Marco polo to explore how echolocation works and a hatchery game that included water balloons.

Campers spent their last few days at camp participating in a few cultural activities and cleaning whale bones. The students were lucky enough to help out Dr. Shannon Atkinson in the process of starting to clean the bones of a juvenile male killer whale that washed up on a nearby beach in the spring. The kids worked on getting the ribs, skull, and vertebrae cleaned and did an amazing job even though they didn’t enjoy the smell. Work on the skeleton will continue during the next few months and once completed, the rearticulated skeleton will be on exhibit at the Sitka Sound Science Center.

The camp was loads of fun and got the attention of the whole community! You can find tons of pictures from the camp in our photos and on the Sitka Sound Science Center’s Facebook page. Also listen to a cool broadcast about the orca skeleton that was aired on Raven Radio.

Before and after of one set of vertebrae that were cleaned.

Dillingham Sea Week!

2011-05-19T14:11:00.000-07:00

Sea Week returned to Dillingham last week! This fun-filled week of marine activities was revived, May 9th-13th, by MAP agent, Izetta Chambers. Izetta invited kids K-5 to join her after school for an hour every day and participate in sea-themed activities. I joined her for the week to help show the kids what could be found in the water around them.

About 40 kids participated and each day was filled with interactive activities including a number of games and crafts. Crafts included making whale mobiles, a number of activity books, and even helping decorate a poster for the celebration of learning that took place on Wednesday. The kids also saw a presentation about sea birds, learned about the salmon life cycle, played a food web game, and got to play with a bunch of little critters. Microscopes were setup one day for the kids to look at plankton and we finished the week off with isopod races.

Sea week was a great success and will hopefully become an annual event. Thank you Izetta for getting the ball rolling on Sea Week again and for the people who volunteered their time to supervise. We would also like to extend a special thanks to Terry Fuller, Tim Sands, and Lilly Capell for leading activities.

May Newsletter!

2011-05-06T17:32:00.000-07:00

The Alaska Marine Science & Fisheries Coalition has a bunch of exciting things to share! Check out our newsletter to see what the coalition is up to, some opportunities available for this summer, and find out how you can get involved!

National Ocean Sciences Bowl Final

2011-05-03T15:04:00.000-07:00

The 14th annual National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) took place April 28th through May 1st. Winners from the regional competitions all met in Galveston, TX to compete in the finals. During the weekend the kids enjoyed competing against each other while getting the chance to get out for some field trips and exploring the area. This years winner was a team from Marshfield High School in Wisconsin.

Alaska was represented at the NOSB this year by the Tsunami Bowl champions from Juneau-Douglas/Thunder Mountain High School. They took 11th place overall but took first place in the inaugural policy briefing section of the competition and won a trip to Washington State to meet with members of the Pacific Coast Growers Association.

Congrats to all the teams who competed this year and thanks to the adults who helped get the teams together!

Kodiak Area Marine Science Symposium

2011-04-19T15:21:00.000-07:00

The first ever Kodiak Area Marine Science Symposium (KAMSS) took place April 9^th – 12^th and included presentations, workshops, and posters about research around Kodiak. Over 200 people attended the symposium including students from the local schools. Dr. Tom Weingartner and Dr. John Piatt helped get everything started at the Kodiak Harbor Convention Center on Saturday with talks about the physical settings of the Gulf of Alaska Continental shelf and local upwelling and marine hotspots around the Kodiak Archipelago. The next three days were filled with presentations ranging from physical and biological oceanography to marine mammals.

A total of nineteen posters were presented on Sunday night during

the symposium. Posters were submitted by researchers from Alaska, California, and Washington with some posters from students at the local High School too. The posters were put together nicely and the speakers were excited to share their research.

On Monday night the Fishery Industrial Technology Center (FITC) held an open house with lots of delicious food and tours of the facility. FITC, which is a division of the UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, primary mission is to increase the value of Alaska's fishing industry and marine resources through research, technological development, education and service. The tour was exceptionally informative and even allowed visitors to walk away with samples from one of FITC’s projects, freeze-dried salmon cubes.

There also were a number of workshops held on Saturday and Tuesday. Saturday included workshops on seabird mortality monitoring, communicating ocean science, and teaching the Alaska Seas and Rivers Curriculum. On Tuesday Kate Wynn, the person who put this wonderful symposium together, lead a roundtable discussion on what future research needs to be done in the Kodiak area while Gary Freitag did a monitoring marine invasive species workshop.

I was fortunate enough to join Gary out in the harbor earlier that morning to collect

a tunicate plate for the workshop that has been in the water since September. Numerous tunicates, barnacles, and other little organism were on ten plates placed through out the harbor however no invasive tunicates have been found in Kodiak! These plates will continue to be monitored by locals to keep track of any invasive tunicates that may make it to the Kodiak area.

Another Opportunity for Students in 7th-9th Grades!

2011-04-13T15:59:00.001-07:00

The Sitka Sound Science Center is having a summer day camp called MAKING WAVES from May 31st till June 10th. This camp will allow students to explore marine biology, fisheries, and marine mammal science through fun, hands-on experiences. Campers will participate in marine mammal research, explore the intertidal, learn basic laboratory skills and even get the opportunity to kayak and snorkel. Tuition is $350, 10% discount if registered before May 1st, and scholarships are available. Contact the Sitka Sound Science Center at (907) 747-8878 to register or pick up a form at the Sage Building, 834 Lincoln Street.

Space is limited so Register soon!

2011 State Wide Science Fair!

2011-03-29T14:33:00.001-07:00

On the weekend of March 19^th- 20^th, I was fortunate enough to volunteer and judge at the Alaska Science & Engineering Fair. This fair welcomes science, engineering, computer science, and mathematical projects from students K-12 in Alaska. More than 70 schools throughout Alaska were represented by a record number of more than 600 participating students. With a total of 513 individual and team projects the judges had their hands full on Saturday interviewing and scoring all of them. However, after a full day of work by judges, projects were chosen for awards presented at an awards ceremony on Sunday. The Senior High Grand Award winners for this year who will go onto the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in May are:

First place Sophia Meyers with "Possible Applications of Superorder Selachimorpha (shark) Characteristics in the Marine Industry"

Second place, Noah Betzen with "The Effects of Calcium Carbonate on Ocean Acidification"

The team project of Nicole Emanuel and Marie Gotti with "Analyzing Protein Content in Common Vegetarian Meat Substitutes".

Pictures of some of the other projects at this year's science fair.

The Alaska COSEE (Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence) Ocean Science Fair took place at the same time as a “fair within a fair” for projects related to the ocean, watersheds, or climate change that also have a cultural component. I helped judge these projects, as a scientist, on their scientific content at the same time that cultural and community experts judged them on their community and cultural relevance. More than 40 projects were judged for COSEE Ocean Science Fair awards, which were given in separate categories for ocean science and culture.

Winners of the ocean science awards were:

Elementary:

Ben Post and Nicholas Post (Turnagin Elementary, Anchorage; Teacher: Janet Post)

“What Boat Design Can Cary the Heaviest Load?”

Middle School:

Christian Escalante and Sierra Moskios (Unalaska; Teacher: Story Miller)

”Waving, Rotating, Creating”

High School (tie):

China Kantner and Ember Eck (Kotzebue; Teachers: Lance Westing and Robbie Everett)

“The Big Empty”

Molly Volk, Paige Olson and Courtney Bird (Petersburg; Teacher: Joni Johnson)

”Genetic Differentiation of Cancer magister”

Winners of the cultural awards were:

Elementary:

Naasha Tallman (Alaska Native Cultural Charter School, Anchorage; Teacher: Desiree Cronin)

” Does Water Exist on Other Planets in Our Solar System?”

Middle School:

Molly Adams (Barrow; Teacher: Emily Roseberry)

“Bowhead Whales”

High School (tie):

China Kantner and Ember Eck (Kotzebue; Teachers: Lance Westing and Robbie Everett)

” The Big Empty”

Jadyn Edwardsen (Barrow; Teacher: Emily Roseberry)

“How Does the Preparation of Sinew Affect its Strength?”

China Kantner and Ember Eck also received a combined ocean science and cultural award.

All the high school students who won a COSEE award will be invited to attend and present their projects at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium in Anchorage next January with all expenses covered by COSEE.

AWE Camp for 8th graders!

2011-03-25T16:25:00.000-07:00

An awesome, all expenses paid, opportunity for students currently in 8^th grade!

AWE Camp is a federally funded science and math camp, which provides upcoming high school students with a unique experience to have fun while strengthening science and math skills related to the study of natural history and daily camp activities. Spend three weeks in Homer, Alaska learning how scientists, researchers, and you use science and math everyday. Build and paddle traditional Umiak and bidarka skin boats, study marine life, explore the coastline by kayak, and go hiking all while making new friends. Participate in a number of activities to learn about the natural history of Kachemak Bay and sharpen your outdoor skills. After the camp, participants will continue to work with a Life Coach for nine months to help each student work towards achieving their goals while linking them into other educational and career opportunities.

Camp 1 will take place from June 9^th - July 2^nd

Camp 2 will take place July 11^th – August 3^rd

For more information call (907) 351-0053 or visit www.ageya.org to apply!

High School Salmon Camp July 29th - August 2nd!

2011-03-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

Spend five days in Bristol Bay this summer earning college credit and having fun! Salmon camp is offered for students ages 14-18 and takes place at Wood-Tikchik State Park. This is a great opportunity for students to study salmon biology, learn stream and lake ecology, and even participate in harnessing renewable energy. There are also opportunities to fish, hike, and canoe during this camp. To register and for more information contact: UAF Bristol Bay Campus at 907-842-5109 /

bb-esl-dept@alaska.edu or if in the Bristol Bay Economic Development Corporation Service Area call Pearl Strub at 907-842-4370.

Scholarships are Available!!!!

Also check out their video to see what it is like!

Summer opportunities with the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program

2011-03-10T12:21:00.000-08:00

The Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) still has opportunities that are available for this summer!!!!

Their summer acceleration academy is open till March 31^st and sophomores and juniors in high school may apply. This academy will be held at UAA in Anchorage during the summer for six weeks.

ANSEP also has a summer bridge program for recent high school graduates who will be attending the University in the fall. This program begins May 23^rd and applications are due the first Friday in April.

For more information on these summer programs and for other opportunities offered through ANSEP please check out their website.

AMSFCC Newsletter!

2011-03-08T10:54:00.000-08:00

The Alaska Marine Science & Fisheries Coalition is updating everything! Check out our newsletter to see what events are coming up, some opportunities available for this summer, and find out how you can get involved!

SW ALaska Salmon Science Symposium

2011-03-07T16:37:00.000-08:00

The Southwest Alaska Salmon Science Symposium: Understanding Habitat and the Science of Sustainability will be taking place in Anchorage on April 13th and 14th at the Egan Center. This symposium will feature Drs. Thomas Quinn and Daniel Schindler and will include an evening session (7-9pm) on the 13th and a full day of presentations (8am - noon) and panel discussion (1-5pm) on the 14th. There also will be an opening reception and presentation that evening at the Anchorage Museum at the Rasmuson Center for: "Sailing for Salmon: 125 Years of Commercial Fishing in Bristol Bay."

This symposium is a cooperative effort of the USFWS, ADF&G, The Nature Conservancy, and Alaska Sea Grant. It is free to all however please RSVP by April 1st. The contact person for this event is Katrina Mueller (katrina_mueller@fws.gov or 907-786-3637). More information is also available at www.marineadvisory.org

Art & Nature Workshop for Kids!

2011-02-24T13:04:00.000-08:00

A fun science workshop will take place in Homer from March 14th to the 18th for kids between the ages of 10 and 14. Field study sessions outdoors and art studio sessions are planned Monday through Friday from 1pm to 4pm. This Art & Nature Workshop is presented by the Homer Council on the Arts and the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies with support from the Homer Foundation. The cost of the workshop is $60 and includes materials and transportation from HCOA. Space is limited so you should register soon. Registration can be done on-line at hcoa@homerart.org or call 235-4288.

Click on the flyer to see a bigger image!

APU Career Fair

2011-02-24T11:18:00.000-08:00

Alaska Pacific University (APU) is having a career fair in the Atwood Center on campus February 25th from 10am - 8pm. Bring your resume and check out what summer jobs, internships, career opportunities, volunteer work, and more is happening in Alaska. For more information contact APU Career Services at counseling@alaskapacific.edu. You can also check out their website and the flyer for the career fair!

2011 Anchorage City Wide Career and Job Fair!

2011-02-16T15:15:00.000-08:00

The City Wide Career and Job Fair will take place at the Wells Fargo Sports Center on the UAA Campus in Anchorage on February 18th from 11am - 5pm. Whether you are searching for a summer job, out to network, or just curious to see what opportunities are available around Alaska you should check it out! Numerous representatives from around the state will be there to recruit for full-time, part-time, internships, and also permanent and seasonal employment. For more information contact the UAA Career Services Center or check out their flyer!

http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/careerservices/upload/2011-City-Wide-Employer-Flyer.pdf

2010-01-12T12:23:00.001-08:00

January Event: Alaska Marine Science Symposium

January 18-22, Anchorage

FREE: Register @ the Door

The Alaska Marine Science Symposium will be held in Anchorage January 18-22. This is an amazing opportunity to learn about the various "research activities in the marine regions off Alaska". Whether you are an established scientist or prospective student, this will be a great place to connect with old and new colleagues or mentors and discover some new areas of research interests. There will be many presenters and special key note speakers (Mike Beck, Kate Moran, Mike Sigler, and Rodger Havery -- click here to learn about these speakers). Please take a look at the full agenda to find sessions that pique your interests! There will also be a lot of booths with a tremendous amount of information. In fact, the Alaska Marine Science & Fisheries Career Coalition (AMSFCC) will have a booth next to Alaska Sea Grant. Come talk to us about the Future Alaskans in Fisheries & Marine Science Project! We will also have information from our partners (click here for a list of our partners) and their programs. Learn about the accomplishments that have about from the collaborated efforts of AMSFCC (this will also be highlighted at the coalition's own session on Friday, 02/12). Please contact stefanie.benca@gmail.com for more information on this particular session.

All of the sessions will undoubtedly be stimulating. For example: Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) along with the Alaska Ocean Observing System and the North Pacific Research Board will share their new SeaNET project as an effective tool to "communicate ocean science". One of the many roles of SeaNET is to provide scientifically sound news on climate change and the weaving of traditional knowledge and Western science.

Along with sessions, there will be fun lunchtime events. For example, on Tuesday, the various National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) teams around Alaska will challenge veteran scientists in a fast-paced competition. These teams are geared up to compete on February 5-7 at the Alaska Tsunami Ocean Sciences Bowl in Seward. This is the regional competition for Alaska high school students -- the winning team will compete against other regional teams from all over the United States. Needless to say, these students will give the veterans a run for their money on all topics related to the study of the oceans! Below is the promotional video for the National Ocean Sciences Bowl.

Please take advantage of the Alaska Marine Science Symposium. Remember, it's FREE! Also, make sure your high school has its own NOSB team! Click here for more information on how to get involved.

2009-12-15T12:20:00.000-08:00

December News & Student Interview

A lot has actually been going on in the Anchorage area. Here are a couple of events from the first couple of weeks in December:

The Alaska Young Fishermen's Summit (AYFS) 2009 was held at the Anchorage Hilton Hotel on December 7th-9th. AYFS provides training and networking opportunities for new fishermen entering the business or more seasoned fishermen wishing to take a leadership role in their industry. In the coming weeks, an official participant will write a review of his or her impression of the summit -- stay tuned!

The Interior Aleutians Campus (UAF) had its 13th Annual Interior American Indian Science & Engineering Society Science Fair on December 11th. Projects from schools like Cruikshank School in Beaver, Tsuk Taih School in Chalkyitsik, Nenana School, Fort Yukon School, and the Iditarod School District presented their work to the public!

__________________________________________

Student Interview of the Month

Another important component of this blog are the student interviews. Students who are actually in the muck of the course work and in the reality of student-professor interactions offer the most accurate picture of life on the road towards a professional in fisheries and marine sciences. Considering the size of our state and the lack of roads, the educational journey towards these careers require enthusiastic travelers.

Alaska is unique in that every community has so much character and culture. It is often difficult for students to not only move large distances but also to uproot from one's comfort zone of cultural idiosyncrasies. But it has been done and has yielded great results! Our student interviews are snapshots of such successes. This month, we are featuring a student in the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Fisheries program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Shelley Woods is from Dillingham and currently a UAF undergraduate.

What interested you in pursuing a degree in fisheries?
I worked on a counting tower one summer, but I have been fishing my entire life. I realized there is a fun job behind the scene of every fishery and I wanted to know more about how it worked!

How are you and your family handling the change (now that you are an independent, university student)?
They have gotten used to me not being home most of the year. I call on a regular basis and Facebook/Myspace/cell phones in the village have all helped to make communication easier. I also return every change I get, like Christmas and summer breaks.

How would you describe the transition academically and emotionally?
In the beginning, I went to a private school with a huge attitude that I was the smartest and best student because I was the top of my class. I learned really quick that the skills to do well in high school were useless in college. I had to put in a lot of work outside of class to be successful, and I still struggle with that. I skated through school in Dillingham, but college is always a challenge. I haven't learned good study skills or time management. I have managed to get this far (soon to be graduating) so I'm doing something right. But I wish I learned to study and manage my time earlier.

What was your high school career like (courses, extracurriculars, etc)?
I was on every page of my senior yearbook. My friends in the lower 48 thought that was so funny. It was just that I needed to stay busy in the village, and what better way than being involved in everything? I did well in all my classes and really enjoyed high school. I really miss traveling around the state and playing volleyball and doing NYO!

How has the UAF program helped you personally?
Personally, I feel there is a good support system at this school and in Fairbanks in general. It is a relatively small university and Fairbanks is a "small big town". You see familiar faces everywhere. That helped me feel at home and get to know people.

What has been the most challenging aspect of the program?
Probably keeping focused. There wasn't a particular course that was really challenging. Wait, Ichthyology was tough! Just spelling the course name is hard. In that class you have to memorize a lot of Latin and Greek scientific names for fish species and how the evolution progressed. Pretty challenging! But like any other course, the material is presented and you just have to get through it.

What has been the most interesting hands-on experience you've had thus far in your program?
The most interesting hands-on experience was taking Fisheries Techniques with Dr. Amanda Rosenberger and Dr. Trent Sutton. This was also my favorite course. We spent a lot of time in a laboratory, but also spent time in the field practicing what we were learning. My classmates were so enthusiastic also, which made the course a success for me. We not only had fun and got to know each other really well but went out and did real fishy things.

Who is your role model?
Dr. Carol-Ann Woody is my hero! She is a scientist who does consulting work all over Alaska, but also focused her work in Lake Clark and that area, and has done a lot of work studying effects of Pebble and being proactive.

What do you hope to do with your degree afterwards? What/where would be your ideal job?
I will probably be working for an agency for a few years. Most likely the State of Alaska or a Native organization. Eventually I want to be a private consultant and do work across the world!

Shelley was recently admitted to UAF's graduate school in the Fisheries Master's Program. She will be studying salmon use on the North Slope with Dr. Courtney Carothers and she is "really excited because [I] get to study traditional ecological knowledge"!

2009-12-01T13:53:00.001-08:00

posted by Stefanie Benca

"Sharks & Skates" Discovery Lab in Homer & Nanwalek

A couple of weeks ago, I ventured off to Homer to work with the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve (KBRR) and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G). It was an opportunity to see first-hand the difference between urban and rural science education. I had the privilege to work with Carmen Field, the Marine Educator at KBRR. Throughout the summer, KBRR delivers a series of "Discovery Labs" at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. These science labs are free to the public and universally age friendly. Topics range from sharks and marine invertebrates to estuary edibles and geology.

During the week of November 4th, the topic was "Sharks & Skates". We had experts (such as Fish & Game's Dr. Ken Goldman) come and dissect a spiny dogfish shark. There were also microscopes (to look at teeth and shark scales called 'denticles') and a plethora of fossilized artifacts. There were also many interesting facts floating around the room -- for example, did you know that 'shark fin soup' is a delicacy in Asia and runs for $100 per bowl? It is amazing how life luxuries can have a large impact on nature.

After four sessions in Homer (allowing a number of different classes from the Homer School District to visit), we packed up the lab and flew to Nanwalek. This is a small village located at the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula (10 miles southwest of Seldovia). Working with science/math teacher Derek Bynagle, we worked with all of the students in Nanwalek (K-12). With a village population of slightly over 200, it is not surprising that many grade levels are combined. Overall, the students thoroughly enjoyed the presentation and there were a number of budding scientists. It is amazing how hands-on activities unleash a flood of interests. Many of the students had a profound interest in fisheries and marine biology, and it was evident by their enthusiasm and ability to spout out answers.

To see pictures from Nanwalek, click here.

Afterwards, I had the opportunity to informally "interview" the researchers of the Lower Cook Inlet Department of Fish and Game. Speaking to 10-15 different employees, I was pleasantly surprised to see everyone investing in the fish/research industry in such different ways. Some were at the microscope while others were aerial fish counters and looking into security system gadgets (and hydrogen power) to set up a remote camera for counting. Many young people (myself included) have a skewed image of a career in fisheries -- it is actually quite versatile! If you are interested in hands-on, out-in-the-field work and the intellectual challenge of bench research, this is the field for you! It is no wonder that 37% of UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Science's students continue onto work at ADF&G post-graduation.

Nanwalek School Houses K-12

Airplane to Nanwalek: Weather Permitted Travel

Lovely Nanwalek Airport

2009-10-05T15:48:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the official Future Alaskans in Fisheries & Marine Science blog!

The sole intention of this blog is to highlight the various adventures (those related to fisheries and the marine sciences) going on in Alaska. The picture above illustrates this well -- during the month of August, the Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center supports a Field Biology course for high school students in the Bering Strait and Nome City School Districts. Under the guidance of Heidi Herter, UAF Marine Advisory Program agent in Nome, students learn some of the techniques that are employed by wildlife biologists to study plants, fish, and animals in the field. As students successfully complete their own research project (with a partner), they will receive credit through both the University of Alaska Fairbanks and BSSD (dual credit is unfortunately not available for Nome students). Complete immersion for five days at beautiful Salmon Lake camp (on the Seward Peninsula) is something you will never forget! Click here for pictures from previous years and specifically read more on last year's experience.

Future Alaskans in Fisheries & Marine Science is created by the Alaska Marine Science & Fisheries Career Coalition which is a network of schools, management agencies, tribal, non-profit, and fishing associations. This Coalition works together to support Alaskans -- particularly rural Alaskans and Alaska Natives -- who seek careers in fisheries and marine science.

This blog will be a cornucopia of content: snapshots of events going on throughout Alaska, interviews of experts in their respective fields, virtual job shadowing, and more. Ultimately, we hope to further the Coalition's mission of seeing more Alaska Native and rural Alaskans in these fields. There are many paid internships, job opportunities, and educational outlets available, and we hope to effectively bring them to your attention for your advantage! We will incorporate a variety of media -- texts, pictures, and video. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please e-mail coordinator.amsfcc@gmail.com without hesitation!