Photo: Dr. Katie Spellman points out some highlights at a burn scar . Credit: Chynna Lockett

AK STEAM COLLABORATION

Winter 2024 |

Issue 6

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

Alaska Wildlife Curriculum from Alaska Department of Fish and Game

The Alaska Wildlife Curriculum is designed for teachers of K-12 students to teach ecological principles that lead to the continued conservation of Alaska's unique wildlife and wild lands. With background information and geography connections, the curriculum is aligned with Alaska science standards including crosscutting concepts like patterns, energy, and structure and function. Featuring illustrations of wildlife for the youngest learners and graphs of population dynamics for middle and high school students.

Alaska Wildlife Curriculum

Field trip to a burn scar. Photo by Chynna Lockett

Let's Bring Wildfire Education into the Classroom

Wildfire education can help students understand fire as an important natural process and can also help communities prepare for the challenges wildfire brings. Learn more about opportunities to explore wildfire education with your students, including taking a field trip to local wildfire sites through the Alaska Wildfire Explorer and checking out fire kit full of activities for your classroom.

Wildfire Education

Celebrating Science

Celebrating Science by Students and Educators

Sarah Coulson of Central Middle School of Science was recently awarded one of the Alaska Science Teachers Association’s $500 mini-grants for projects and professional development.

Sarah was able to purchase copies of "George's Secret Key to the Universe," by Lucy and Stephen Hawking, to use in the classroom.

Students from Chevak and Ayaprun Elitnaurvik in Bethel collaborate in creating a digital story. Credit: Voices From the Land

Geese and the Carbon Cycle

How do herbivores affect the cycling of carbon? A team of scientists, educators, and students studied the impact of geese on the cycling of carbon. Their research modeled how geese influence the storage or emission of carbon from tundra soils.

You can explore the datasets in your classroom with two lessons created in collaboration with the Data Nuggets teams, “Poop, poop, goose” and “Sink or source? How grazing geese impact the carbon cycle”.

Artist Shelley Toon Lindberg with Voices From the Land collaborated with 5th grade students from Chevak and Mamterrilleq to create a stop motion animation film exploring how climate change is affecting the geese and the culture in the Yukon Delta region. Hear students tell their story at the link below.

Herbivory and Carbon

Opportunities for Educators

Educators try virtual reality headsets at a recent PAEMST recognition event. Credit: PAEMST

Application Packet

Nominations for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program is seeking nominations and applications from 7-12th grade teachers! Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President; a trip to Washington, DC, to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities; a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation; and join a community of over 5,200 award-winning teachers.

Sign-up Now!

Teaching with Phenomena

ASTA Virtual Meet-Up

Join us for a conversation about resources and strategies for engaging your students with science phenomena.

We will discuss ideas for getting students to “Notice,” “Wonder,” and “Connect” phenomena with their own lives and experiences to set the stage for scientific inquiry.

When: December 5, 5-6pm Alaska Time

ASTA members and guests are welcome.

Support Science Education by becoming an Alaska Science Teachers Association Leader!

Alaska Science Teachers Association is

seeking more people to step into leadership positions or to volunteer for specific tasks that exceed Board capacity. Our Board is comprised of current and retired teachers and we would like to gather a pool of candidates to step up for the following roles:

Regional Representatives
President-elect
Advocacy Chair/Committee
Partnership Chair/Committee
Website-Outreach Chair/Committee
Awards Chair/Committee

To serve on the Board you need to be a current member, which is free to join until January 15. Thereafter dues are $25.

We are seeking assistance with organizing the next conference. We are currently considering venies and would really like to engage the Kenai, Mat-Su and rural educational communities.

Some additional ways all members can help ASTA:

Share exciting curriculum resources with us
Describe events you have planned
Suggest sponsors to help with operation costs
Send photos of science activities (Must meet district privacy policies)
Help adapt the website
Take advocacy actions in your school or district and share your experience
Serve as your schools point of contact for sharing science opportunities for students and teachers

Get in touch with pattyb(at)aptalaska.net to learn more.

We appreciate all you are doing!

ASTE Conference

Storybytes, the Alaska Society for Technology in Education Conference

Share your expertise and innovative ideas at the Alaska Society for Technology in Education Conference. Hear our exciting keynote speakers Holly Clark, Jed Dearybury, and Victoria Thompson speak about their expertise in education technology and storytelling. Submit a proposal to present your resources and innovations. Or just attend to be inspired.

When: February 15-18, 2025

Where: Anchorage, AK

Opportunities for Students

Learn more at alaskasciencefair.org

Time to Explore the Wonders!

Enter the 2025 Alaska Science & Engineering Fair

K-12 students are encouraged to submit science and/or engineering projects to the 2025 Alaska Science & Engineering Fair! Register to participate in person in Anchorage or online by March 22, 2025. The top projects in each grade range will receive recognition. Additional awards for different sub categories and specific partner awards will also be provided.

Microgrants for Food Security Program

Want to start a garden in your community or at your school?

Gardens and greenhouses provide not only hands-on learning about science concepts such as adaptations and the water cycle, but they can also provide fresh, locally grown food for communities. Micro Grants are available from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources to support efforts to increase food security such as garden beds, fencing for livestock, greenhouses, and food processing or storage equipment.

Applications due November 26, 2024

Applicants must be at least 18

Who are We?

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Become a Member

Email us at UAF-AK-STEAM@alaska.edu

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