DESIGN DISCOVER RESEARCH: INTRODUCTORY COLLEGE FIELD EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE FOR ALASKA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE

The University Alaska Southeast hosted Design-Discover-Research (DDR), a 12-day summer science immersion experience designed to provide an outstanding Earth systems science field data collection opportunity for high school students in preparation for college and future careers June 21-July 2, 2009. Using the successful Alaska Summer Research Academy (ASRA) model developed by University Alaska Fairbanks, the DDR experience introduced 15 students to life on a university campus, while creating small science teams who worked with university faculty, & staff as well as state agency and national park resource professionals. Three days were spent on campus preparing students with disciplinary knowledge, research skills, teamwork, and wilderness safety training to enable them to work competently and safely on introductory climate science projects specific to study sites located in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (GBNPP).

Students spent 6 days in Glacier Bay visited tidewater glaciers, hiked through newly deglaciated landscapes, and studied uplifted shorelines. They collected glacier meltwater water salinity and temperature profiles to contrast water chemistry along the bay’s length and recorded submarine acoustic signatures. They conducted invertebrate, plant, and wildlife surveys in glaciated, deglaciated and forested portions of the bay. They visited multiple fossil sites in the park’s Willoughby Limestone and noted the fauna of tectonically relocated Silurian tropical reef communities, now notched by late Holocene glacier striations. This field portion of the course utilized 60’ M/V Glacier Seal . Boat life also introduced students to navigation, seamanship, radio protocols, galley cooking, and kayak safety.

Upon their return to Juneau, DDR students spent two additional days back on campus where they analyzed their data. They created data slides and orally presented their results in an afternoon seminar attended by the University and Juneau communities. Each student earned one college level introductory environmental science credit for their effort.