AOOS had a busy season of education programming and looks forward to expanding these opportunities in the year ahead.
Alice Bailey (AOOS) and Ali Chene (PacIOOS) 7th graders at Blatchley Middle School collaborated on Backyard Buoys and plankton activities. Photo courtesy of AOOS.
Alice collaborated with Ali Chene from PacIOOS and the Sitka Sound Science Center for two days of programming with 7th graders at Blatchley Middle School. Through hands-on activities, students explored waves, Sofar wave buoys, and the Backyard Buoys app. The visit was such a success that AOOS has been invited back next year to lead additional workshops and classroom activities with high school students.
In late May, Alice, Katie Basile (Alaska Sea Grant), and ANSEP intern Deja, led an education evening for 22 youth in Quinhagak. Kids of all ages learned how to download and use the Backyard Buoys app and experimented with making and measuring different types of waves.
Sheyna and Alice were guest speakers at the Dig Afognak summer youth camp, hosted by the Native Village of Afognak July 17–21. They introduced Kodiak-area youth to waves, ocean sound, and ocean art through a combination of science and creative activities.
Holly and Lisa, along with Lisa’s son, Miles, participated in the annual Barrow Arctic Research Center (BARC) Science Fair in Utqiaġvik August 10–12. The fair brings researchers together to share their work with the community. AOOS highlighted the value of real-time wave buoy information and introduced attendees to the Backyard Buoys program.
Deja Jackson (ANSEP intern) helps Quinhagak youth understand wave motion and data using a sensor inside a mini buoy. Photo by Alice Bailey.
This fall, Darcy and Sheyna will mentor high school students through the Gifted Mentorship program. Darcy’s student, Ellowyn Lang, attends Eagle River High School and UAA Middle College, while Sheyna’s student, Charlie Banning, attends Steller High School.
We’re also planning to participate in Anchorage’s Bartlett High School Ocean Technology Day in December. Working with science teacher Samantha Matsuoka and AOOS partners at JOA Surveys and UAF, we’re putting together a series of hands-on demonstrations in and around the school’s swimming pool, giving students an opportunity to explore ocean technology and learn how these tools are used to observe and understand our marine environment.