Education

Interface of Change incorporates research themes into educational programs and activities including art-science collaborations: an artist-in-residency program and traveling art exhibition, summer field courses for high-schoolers in Kachemak Bay, and the Alaska Science Olympiad competition.

These place-based activities are grounded in informal science learning, which  includes “inspiring emotional responses, reframing ideas, introducing new concepts, communicating the  social and personal value of science, promoting deep experiences of natural phenomena, and  showcasing cutting-edge scientific developments.

 

Alaska Science Olympiad

Alaska EPSCoR organizes the Alaska Science Olympiad Division B, an annual tournament for middle school students that challenges their skills in science, technology, engineering, and math.

 

Summer Field Classes

The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies (CACS) and the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (KBNERR) provide summer field classes for high school students in the Kenai peninsula region that focus on Interface of Change research in the area. Over the course of three years (2025-2027), up to 54 students will participate in field classes where they will develop leadership skills, build a positive team dynamic, learn science communication approaches, and bolster their confidence, competencies identified as key for sustainability science.

 

Rural Alaska Honors Institute Scholarships

Interface of Change and the Rural Alaska Honers Institute Scholarships (RAHI) developed a new scholarship program consisting of one-year awards to high-achieving RAHI students who enroll at UA and major in STEM disciplines. Over the five years of the Interface of Change project, 25 scholarships will be awarded to RAHI students.

 

Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program Internships

Interface of Change partners with the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) by providing internships to two ANSEP students each year. Interface of Change researchers present at ANSEP student meetings each year, giving students an opportunity to learn about Interface of Change research and potential internship positions. 

 

Education Funding Opportunities

Interface of Change incorporates two rounds of seed funding for education projects in 2025 and 2027.

 

 

 

Education Team