High School & Undergraduate Opportunities at WhaleFest: Science Symposium for STEM Engagement
Undergraduate students read and discuss work published by Sitka WhaleFest speakers in advance of traveling to Sitka WhaleFest as part of a semester long course. Lower division undergraduates are matched with upper-division undergraduate peer mentors during the event.
Students travel to Sitka WhaleFest, a 3-day annual marine science symposium and festival in Sitka, AK. They attend high interest lectures over the course of three afternoons and meet with presenting scientists in small group discussions. Students participate in marine cruises and wildlife and cultural workshops. Mentors and mentees lunch together to build relationships and evenings are spent attending art and music events, film fest, receptions, and a banquet.
Students report career inspiration and renewed motivation for STEM coursework at a critical juncture in their college careers.
Students meet with presenting scientists in small group discussions.
Program Features
- Students read and discuss the science in peer-reviewed journal articles by the WhaleFest speakers so they feel well-informed
- Multiple opportunities for casual interactions with scientists in a light-hearted yet professional setting
- PhD and MA student researchers share their personal educational pathways and research with undergrads on marine cruise and during morning workshops
- Upper-division undergrads matched to lower-division for the semester and during WhaleFest
- Students participate in hands-on experiences including wildlife cruises, salmon dissections, pinniped necropsies, raptor workshops, and cultural workshops
- Students interact with tribal members and community organizations with interests in ocean health
Student Response
“Whalefest got the pistons firing in my mind; making connections between social and natural sciences, policy making, activist groups, conservationists, subsistence user groups.”
Meeting WhaleFest scientists made scientists seem less “different”. Students expressed amazement that
- the scientists would admit to students they didn’t know an answer to a question posed by a student
- scientists were approachable and personable
- scientists spoke in plain language, not in the technical language of research papers
- scientists were younger than the students expected
