AK STEAM COLLABORATION

Spring 2023 | Issue 1

Sharing STEAM opportunities and resources through statewide collaboration

Welcome to the first 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.

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 Activity: Permafrost in the Classroom

Monitor permafrost and soil freezing with your class and community! These K12 frost tube activities allow teachers and their students to share data in the GLOBE database, which is used by NASA.

Download the Resource

Science Resource: Arctic Rivers Storymap

Learn about the impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems (especially rivers) and communities through a storymap about Indigenous knowledge and Western science.

See the Storymap

Science Stars!

Awards and nominations

Nominations are open for the 2023 Frederik Paulsen Arctic Academic Action Award. The award recognizes innovative ideas that aspire to transform knowledge into action to help address the causes and impacts of climate change in the Arctic.

Nominations are due April 30th.

Learn More

Celebrating Science

Over 70 students from five states are presenting their science investigations at the Northwest Regional GLOBE Student Research Symposium in Fairbanks on April 24-25. The symposium is modeled after a professional science meeting. Students represent their communities and cultures and learn from one another.

Nominate

The Arctic Together Podcast is a quarterly series with special guests, intersections of visual artists and musicians, or research and science communication perspectives, who will share gifts of wisdom, knowledge, and lessons learned within their respective journeys through storytelling. Each episode also features a resource guide with links to further information, visuals from project highlights and data, or pictures of speakers and the Arctic.

Listen Here

Opportunities for Educators

Citizen Science: Share river and lake ice photos

Help scientists study changing ice conditions by submitting your Alaska river and lake ice photos. Pictures are shared with the National Weather Service and used for breakup forecasts. Join the citizen science community of Facebook.

Learn about Fresh Eyes on Ice

Workshop: How to teach climate change towards empowerment

Do you want to teach more than the doom and gloom of climate change? Attend a workshop for K-12 educators on climate mental health. Learn strategies and activities to integrate into your curriculum. The event is hosted by Alicia Christensen and the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network and outreach associate. April 20th, 2:00pm (ADT)

Fellowship Program: The CEE - Change Fellowship

Interested in climate change and civic engagement or know someone who is? The CEE-Change Fellowship Program provides an opportunity for formal and non-formal environmental and civic engagement educators to learn from each other and collaborate to scale up our impact as we work to create a more equitable and sustainable future.

Learn More and Apply Here

Opportunities for Students

Webinar: Exploring GeoMagnetism through Citizen Science

Earth's magnetic field interacts with space weather, allows us to navigate using GPS, influences animals' migration patterns, and protects us from harmful radiation and cosmic rays. Created by a team of NOAA scientists, the MagVar app helps us understand the magnetic field, conduct local experiments, and support global research! Hear from undergraduate students and a geophysicist who use the app to further our understanding of this phenomenon. April 18th, 1:30pm (ADT)

Film Screening: Gen Z Mental Health and Climate

Students can join a virtual film screening and panel discussion for a new short documentary film called, "Gen Z Mental Health: Climate Stories." The film was produced by the Climate Mental Health Network. May 4th, 1:00pm (ADT)

Learn More

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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