A beautiful collaboration of ocean science, ocean industry, and place-based learning took place at the Cordova Jr/Sr High School during the Ocean Sciences Festival on Friday, Oct. 18. The Ocean Sciences Festival, a Prince William Sound Science Center creation, was held for the students of Cordova to increase understanding and awareness of ocean-related research, industry, and careers in the region.
The Prince William Sound Science Center staff worked with visiting researchers of the Gulf Watch Alaska Long Term Research and Monitoring Program to create engaging, hands-on activities that highlighted various research happening in Prince William Sound. The 167 participating students, in grades 3-12, learned about aerial monitoring, plankton, salmon tagging, herring disease, fish stomach dissections, humpback whale tracking, seabird surveys, the kelp lifecycle, and sea otter behavioral studies — all research happening right here in Prince William Sound.
Local organizations also represented the work they do in the region. Presenters from the Native Village of Eyak, Chugach Regional Resources Commission, Cordova District Fishermans United, Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation, Alaska Sea Grant, Copper River Watershed Project, U.S. Forest Service, Prince William Sound Economic Development District, Prince William Sound College, and U.S. Coast Guard led activities about their work.
The Prince William Sound Science Center plans to make the Ocean Sciences Festival an annual event, with hopes of growing in the future and widening our reach to the broader community. This event is part of the work of the CORaL Network, funded by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council.
