K-12 Education

Youth Programs

In addition to hosting educational field programs led by external organizations, we collaborate with two non-profit partners to run science programs for middle and high school students.

students learn about the tundra
Photo by Carol Scott
Middle school students with the North for Science! program learn about tundra ecology from SEDC manager Amanda Young.

Middle School

North for Science! is a week-long field expedition for Fairbanks middle school students, offered at no-cost to students by the Alaska Songbird Institute, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management. Driving and camping along the Dalton Highway corridor, students explore a wide range of field science in Interior and Arctic Alaska. Students take a day visit to Toolik Field Station, where station scientists and staff lead hands-on science activities and research site tours. Learn more about the North for Science! program on their !

 

 

students dissect a tussock
Photo by Erin Towns
Students with the OSU Upward Bound group learn about tussocks from the Ecotypes project.

High School

Toolik Field Station partners with Oregon State University, the Oregon TRiO Association, and the University of Maine to run a field science course for high school students from Oregon State University's Upward Bound programs, funded by Battelle Education and the Dept. of Education. Students spend five days at Toolik to participate in hands-on field research, learn about Arctic science, and gain practical skills in drone-based remote sensing and 3D modeling. Participating students are from either low-income families or will be first-generation college students. Read more about the program in our Stories from the Field or the .

 

Science Seminar Series

Toolik Talking Shop

Toolik Talking Shops are held weekly during the summer field season at Toolik (typically May-August).  At each seminar, one or more speakers share their research with the Toolik community. The following day, speakers are then encouraged to have dinner-time mentor chats with undergraduate students at the station. This is a great way for anyone — from students to senior career scientists to visiting artists — to share your research and gain experience presenting in a friendly environment. ​In late summer, undergraduate students at the station are invited to present their research in the Undergraduate Student Showcase.

Past Talking Shop speakers and topics are listed on the Talking Shop webpage.