August 29, 2018, by admin

The Sitka Sound Science Center has been awarded the 2018 Human Diversity Award by the Organization of Biological Field Stations (OBFS).  This award recognizes unique activities, programs, or approaches (funded or unfunded) that increase the involvement, engagement, and sustainability of underrepresented groups in field science.  The award was given for our landmark Scientist in the Schools program, where we bring scientists to Sitka and take them into the classrooms, so students have the opportunity to not only hear about current research being done, but also to do science alongside them.  Scientists in the Schools has helped Sitka have the top state scores in science literacy (for similar communities), and is a program that we are particularly proud of.

The Organization of Biological Field Stations Diversity award speaks to this program’s efforts to bring a wide range of scientists and scientific disciplines into classes of all schools in Sitka.  Sitka’s unique Scientists in the Schools program began years ago with Jan Straley’s vision of connecting students with the scientists of Sitka Whalefest.  Since then, the idea has been nurtured by Science Center educators and supported by the University of Alaska, Southeast with grant monies from the United States Department of Agriculture. The Sitka School District and Mount Edgecumbe High School teachers and administrators have opened the doors to this effort by welcoming us with enthusiastic and professional collaborations.  Additionally, graduate students and professors from University of Alaska, Southeast (Whale Lab in Sitka) and University of Alaska, Fairbanks (BLaST program) have contributed extensively with dedication of time, expertise, and technical materials above and beyond what might be expected in an outreach effort.  We are so grateful to our partners and are honored to have the quality result of these collaborative efforts recognized by the Organization of Biological Field Stations.