Strategies for More Alaskans in Marine Science and Fisheries Careers: Coalitions, Ocean Science Fairs, and Scientist-Teacher Partnerships

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Sea Grant Program coordinates the Alaska Marine Science and Fisheries Career Coalition (AMSFCC), a partnership of Alaskan stakeholders, educational groups, and employers who share the vision of Alaska Natives and rural Alaskans pursuing education toward professional careers in marine-related fields.  Collectively, they provide a network of opportunities for students, including summer youth science and science-culture camps, on-campus programs for high school students, college scholarship incentives, and internships.    

UAF's Sea Grant's Marine Advisory Program, School of Fisheries and Oceans Sciences, and the Center for Cross-cultural Studies are partners in the Alaska Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE), along with the Alaska Ocean Observing System, and the Alaska Sea Life Center. With funding from the National Science Foundation, center programs increase the relevance of K-12 science education and science careers to rural and Native Alaskan students who are underrepresented in fisheries and ocean science fields. Two key COSEE Alaska strategies assist teachers and students with preparation of students for higher education and choices of career:

• School districts hold ocean science fairs with support from COSEE Alaska, which also awards prizes at the statewide science and engineering fair.  These  fairs and awards focus on ocean and watershed topics and  make science relevant to Native and rural students because scientists, Native elders, and other community experts mentor students to develop projects that are judged on both scientific merit and cultural or community relevance.
• Scientists are involved in professional development programs that target rural teachers. These include workshops that focus on classroom salmon incubation projects and on Alaska’s Large Marine Ecosystems (Bering Sea/Aleutian, Gulf of Alaska, and Arctic) in partnership with the North Pacific Research Board’s ecosystem research programs.