Students deploying a SeaPerch.

Sun to Sea middle school science camp provides students with the opportunity to explore atmospheric and marine science with field and laboratory activities focusing on how the ocean and weather are connected. The two week camp co-sponsored by the Auke Bay Laboratories (ABL), the Juneau Forecast Office of the National Weather Service and Juneau Economic Development Council’s Springboard STEM Program is held in July at ABL’s Auke Bay Marine Station. The goal of the camp is provide an opportunity for Juneau’s youth to experience NOAA science first-hand by exploring a variety of laboratory and field activities held at the beach, on the dock, aboard ship, in the woods and up at the alpine environment. In addition to NOAA scientists, instructors include a certified teacher, an underwater US Navy acoustic technician, and a STEM Educational Specialist.

Students construct submersible remote-operated vessels (SeaPerch) to augment their exploration of the marine environment. The hands-on laboratory sessions introduced the students to data collection, NOAA charts, hydroacoustics, ocean acidification, oil spills, paralytic shell fish poisoning and winds/air pressure concepts. The field activities involved: beach seining local weather influenced by glaciers and altitude and sport fishing techniques. Several half day cruises allowed students to put the concepts they learned into action. The camp cumulated in a final scenario where the students put all of the concepts learned at camp to use by figuring out how to prevent and assess the damage from a hypothetical oil spill on a local marine environment.

Contact
Tom Rutecki
Auke Bay Laboratories
Alaska Fisheries Science Center

Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute
17109 Point Lena Loop Road
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 789-6051
Tom.Rutecki@noaa.gov