Photo Credit: Fresh Eyes on Ice | | Sharing STEAM opportunities and resources through statewide collaboration | Welcome to the AK STEAM Collaboration newsletter. On a quarterly basis we share Alaska and Arctic-focused opportunities and resources for educators in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). This is a service of the NNA-Community Office and University of Alaska Fairbanks International Arctic Research Center in partnership with the Alaska Science Teachers Association. This collaboration will continue through 2026. | | | |
Classroom Resources
Curriculum, classroom activities, citizen science opportunities
| Photo credit: Fresh Eyes on Ice | |
Track ice phenology with your students this winter!
The National Weather Service tracks dates of ice events across Alaska from freeze-up to break-up. You and your students can help! Download the Ice Events calendar from the Fresh Eyes on Ice community and citizen science project website and track ice phenology with your students this winter. Next spring, submit your data to the National Weather Service following instructions on the calendar! You can also submit photos of river and lake ice conditions to the Fresh Eyes on Ice project to help with flood and other hazard forecasting.
| Photo credit: Alaska Department of Fish & Game | |
Check out the latest issue of Alaska's Wild Wonders from Alaska Department of Fish & Game!
Alaska’s Wild Wonders Magazine is produced by educators from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game’s Wildlife Education program. It encourages participation in outdoor learning and conservation concepts across Alaska. Alaska educators are encouraged to request a FREE annual subscription. Alaska’s Wild Wonders is printed and distributed each fall.
| |  | Photo credit: Alaska Department of Fish & Game | |
Tracks of Alaska Animals - A Guide for Educators
Animal tracks are a wonderful teaching tool for educating students about observation skills, classification, and the diversity of wildlife in their environment. This guide provides background information on the tracks of individual species and groups of similar animals, as well as hands-on activities for students. This guide accompanies track kits which are available for checkout at Alaska Department of Fish & Game offices. Read more about the development of the guide here and get the guide through the link below.
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Science Stars!
Awards and nominations
| Photo credit: Shell & National Science Teaching Association | |
Nominate an outstanding teacher for the Shell Science Teaching Awards
Do you know an outstanding K-12 science teacher, or are you one yourself? The Shell Science Teaching Award recognizes one outstanding K-12 teacher who positively impacts their students and community through exemplary science teaching. The winner receives $10,000 plus NSTA membership and admission to the NSTA National Conference in Spring 2026. The Shell Urban Science Educators Development Award provides support to K-12 classroom science teachers in urban settings who are pursuing professional development and serves to increase the science educator talent pool in STEM to meet the education workforce challenges of the future.
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Molly's Salmon Protector Camp engages children in stewardship and science through local and Indigenous expertise and values
Across Alaska, tribes and communities hold specific seasonal camps to pass on traditional knowledge, values and practices, and share a meaningful experience for learners of various ages. Between 2022 and 2025, the Association of Interior Native Educators (AINE) helped to co-create and pilot test Molly's Salmon Protector Camp, partnering with the communities of Northway, Bethel, and Hoonah, along with educational researchers and media producers from GBH, which is Boston's public television station. Molly's Salmon Protector Camp is funded by the National Science Foundation, and builds on the PBS KIDS series Molly of Denali, an animated children's show that follows the adventures of a 10-year-old Alaska Native girl named Molly. While this project has come to a close, there are educational resources available to communities to locally design and hold their own Molly of Denali-themed community science event to support young learners.
The purpose of the project was to engage children in land or environmental stewardship and science through local and Indigenous expertise and values, coupled with mainstream science. The project uses the popularity and appeal of Molly of Denali, along with the innovative use of technology, and community strengths and partnerships. If you or your community are interested in learning more about the collaborative project that created the camp, and specifically about the implementation of Molly's Salmon Protector Camp, you can watch a recent Information Session webinar titled Molly of Denali: Co-developing a community science children's camp on the Alaska Tribal Resilience Network webpage. You can also download the Celebrate Salmon Culture/Salmon Science Event Toolkit.
A longer version of this article, written by Malinda Chase (AINE) and reviewed by Yatibaey Evans (former Molly of Denali Creative Producer), will be available on AINE's website in the coming months.
Photo credit: AINE
| | | Opportunities for Educators | | |
Register and get trained as a coach for the 2026 Clean Energy Olympics!
The Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) will be hosting two training opportunities for Alaska coaches to bring students to the annual Clean Energy Olympics (CEO) model wind and solar design competition for 4th-12th grade students! CEO will be held April 4th, 2026 in Anchorage, with virtual presentation slots available until April 1st. Coaches attending a workshop will receive basic starting materials for 3 teams, a $100 training stipend, and an opportunity to earn one Continuing Education (CE) Credit through UAA. Coaches do not have to be a teacher. The trainings are scheduled for Thursday, January 22nd online, 4:30-7:30pm (there will be a second virtual workshop required for coaches earning the CE credit on January 29th, 4:30-7:30) -OR- Saturday, January 31st in Anchorage, 8am-3pm (lunch included) We do not have funding to cover travel costs for the in person training.
Register here to sign up as a coach and to attend either training.
Photo credit: REAP
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2026 Summer Math Institute for Teachers to be held in Sitka
June 8-14, 2026
This intensive seven-day institute invites Alaska’s K–12 teachers to explore best practices for teaching Number Sense. Participants will collaborate to design engaging lessons that incorporate manipulatives, games, hands-on activities, educational technology, and artificial intelligence. The institute also emphasizes integrating cultural connections through place-based education to make mathematics meaningful and relevant to Alaska’s diverse communities. Classes will be held on the Mt. Edgecumbe High School campus. Housing will be available for participants and families in the MEHS dormitories. Breakfast and lunch will be provided daily. UAS ED593 credits will be offered. Registration, housing, and university fees will be announced when registration will open in January. Add your name to the waitlist for announcements and priority registration.
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Attend the 2026 Alaska Society for Technology in Education Conference
The Alaska Society for Technology in Education invites you to reimagine the future of education under this year's theme: CRTL+ALT+EDU - Empowering Educators Through Technology.
Photo credit: ASTE
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Apply to join NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program!
NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program offers educators a unique opportunity to join NOAA scientists aboard an ocean research vessel as a member of the science team. Participants return to their classrooms with first-hand accounts of what it's like to live and work at sea, illustrated by photos, blogs, and lesson plans. Their personal connections to NOAA's science and stewardship help Teachers at Sea communicate the importance of NOAA's mission to communities across the nation.
K-12 and informal educators are eligible and encouraged to apply. Applicants should have an exception ability to communicate complicated information and a particular interest in NOAA science, but they do not need to science teachers. The application opens November 19, 2025 and closes December 12, 2025. Selected finalists are notified in the spring.
Photo credit: NOAA
| | | Opportunities for Students | |
Opportunities with the Interior Alaska Science Fair
The Interior Alaska Science Fair has TWO exciting upcoming opportunities for students!
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Enter the Fair's logo contest by December 19, 2025 for a chance to see your artwork on 550 t-shirts in Interior Alaska!
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Submit your Science Fair project to the Interior Alaska Science Fair by March 6, 2026. Even though March is a few months away, it's a good time to start thinking about your projects now! Submissions must be from an interior Alaska school science fair. The Interior Alaska Science Fair will take place March 18-21, 2026.
Photo credit: Interior Alaska Science Fair
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Save the Date: Alaska Science & Engineering Fair - "Science to Scale"!
Calling all young scientists, engineers, and curious minds across Alaska! The 71st Alaska Science & Engineering Fair (ASEF) is just around the corner, and we're thrilled to announce our exciting theme for 2026: "Science to Scale"! Whether you're exploring the tiniest microbes or the vast mysteries of the cosmos, this is your change to showcase how science operates at every level, from the microscopic to the planetary!
Key Details to Remember
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Student/Project Check-In: Friday, March 27, 2026
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Judging Day: Saturday, March 28, 2026
- Venue: Conoco Phillips Integrated Science Building, University of Alaska Anchorage
Who Can Participate?
ASEF is open to all Alaska-resident students in grade K-12. High schoolers can compete for a chance to represent Alaska at the International Science & Engineering Fair!
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The Juneau Icefield Research Program is seeking applications for summer 2026!
The Juneau Icefield Research Program (JIRP) is seeking applicants for their 2026 Undergraduate Field Course! Apply now for an unforgettable academic summer program for students interested in glacier science and field skills training. Students must be 18 years old by the first day of the program. Apply by December 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Hannah P. Mode
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Participate in Alaska's Annual iDidaContest
Now in its 26th year, the iDidaContest is Alaska's longest-running digital media competition for students and educators. This unique contest celebrates the power of storytelling, innovation, and educational technology across the state. iDidaContest 2026 features nine categories that highlight creativity across video, sound, design, AI, publishing, and more. Whether you're a student exploring your creative voice or an educator designing engaging classroom experiences, this is your platform to shine. Submit your entry by January 31, 2026! Opportunities for elementary, middle, and secondary students, as well as adult ASTE members.
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K-12 students and educators can attend the Alaska Marine Science Symposium for free!
The Alaska Marine Science Symposium is Alaska's premier marine research conference. Participate in AMSS January 26-30, 2026 at Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage. AMSS brings together scientists, educators, resource managers, students, and interest public to discuss the latest marine research being conducted in Alaskan waters. K-12 students and educators can attend for free! Over 700 people attend this 4-day long conference.
Photo credit: AMSS
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The Navigating the New Arctic Community Office builds awareness, partnerships, opportunities and resources for research funded by the National Science Foundation.
Our education team helps NNA researchers engage with Arctic-inspired educators in culturally responsive ways.
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The International Arctic Research Center is a part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Our purpose is to understand the Arctic to make a difference.
Our education-related programs provide opportunities for K-12, college students and citizen scientists to engage in meaningful climate research.
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The Alaska Science Teachers Association works to inspire, promote and support excellence in science education.
Join colleagues across the state and share ideas, values and priorities in teaching science in the public schools or other sites.
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