Science mentor poster session with high school senior and USFS wildlife biologist.
Project Name: Sitka Collaborative Stewardship Group
Community: Sitka
Support Organization: SCS
Support Organization Staff: Scott Harris
Target Outcomes: Adaptive Learning
Strategies: Engagement and Empowerment, Capacity Development, Learning to Adapt, Storytelling
P&P Funding: $13,000
Partners: Sitka School District, Sitka Sound Science Center, USFS, ADFG, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Other Funding: $18,000
Narrative Description: This project will facilitate the development of a high school student – scientist mentor program that encourages local youth to pursue college educations and careers in natural resource stewardship. This project will pair each of 3-6 students with either a scientist or professional natural resource manager. Over the course of the school year, each student-scientist team will develop, implement, and report on an ecological research or monitoring study that is pertinent to current natural resource issues. Each year students will share their work with the community. Students will learn valuable ecological research skills, gain an understanding of local resource issues, and gain valuable insight into natural resource management careers.