AK STEAM Collaboration Newsletter

Sharing STEAM opportunities and resources through statewide collaboration

The NNA-CO and the University of Alaska Fairbanks International Arctic Research Center, in partnership with the Alaska Science Teachers Association, share STEAM opportunities and resources on a quarterly basis through this newsletter. We share Alaska and Arctic-focused opportunities and resources for educators in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

Subscribe to this newsletter here. Submit an item to our next newsletter here.

April, 2026
Issue 11 - Spring 2026
  • Classroom Resources
    • New place-based science resources for Alaska
    • Inspiring science books for your classroom: A note from Patty Brown, ASTA President
  • Science Stars
    • Congratulations to the Alaska Science & Engineering Fair winners!
    • Bethel’s First LEGO League Dirt Busters team wins award at the Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference
  • Celebrating Science
    • Interior Alaska Science Fair draws over 400 projects
  • Opportunities for Educators
    • Anchored in Data: Bring Alaska Mariculture into Your Classroom
    • Applications now open for the Alaka Knowledge, Science, and Education Alliance!
    • Summer Wildfire and Wildlife Course for Educators in Denali National Park
    • Summer professional development opportunities with AK DEED
    • Plan ahead for 2027!
  • Opportunities for Students
    • Open enrollment for UAA's Summer Engineering Academies
    • Sign up for the summer 2026 Bonanza Creek Science Adventure Camp!
    • Application open for the Arctic STEM Summer Camp
    • "Between the Lines" summer camps available at Sitka Sound Science Center
February, 2026
Issue 10 - Winter 2026
  • Classroom Resources
    • Track blowing snow and low visibility with your students using GLOBE Observer
    • Apply for a grant to conduct environmental research with your students
  • Celebrating Science
    • New GLOBE video features Alaska citizen science
  • Opportunities for Educators
    • Register for the "Beyond the Ice: Interconnected Arctic Mosaic" course with WildRose Education
    • 2026 Summer Math Institute for Teachers to be held in Sitka
    • Alaska Geographic teacher professional development courses now enrolling for summer 2026
    • Alaska Project Learning Tree offers free
    • Alaska Outdoor and Environmental Education Symposium and Film Screening
  • Opportunities for Students
    • Submit your project to the Interior Alaska Science Fair
    • Save the Date: Alaska Science & Engineering Fair - "Science to Scale"
    • Apply to join a FREE 12-day expedition exploring science, art, and backcountry travel
    • Sign up for the summer 2026 Bonanza Creek Science Adventure Camp and Leaders in Training!
November, 2025
Issue 9 - Fall 2025
  • Classroom Resources
    • Track ice phenology with your students this winter
    • Check out the latest issue of Alaska's Wild Wonders from Alaska Department of Fish & Game
    • Tracks of Alaska Animals - A Guide for Educators
  • Science Stars
    • Nominate an outstanding teacher for the Shell Science Teaching Awards
  • Celebrating Science
    • Molly's Salmon Protector Camp engages children in stewardship and science through local and Indigenous expertise and values
  • Opportunities for Educators
    • Register and get trained as a coach for the 2026 Clean Energy Olympics
    • 2026 Summer Math Institute for Teachers to be held in Sitka
    • Attend the 2026 Alaska Society for Technology in Education Conference
    • Apply to join NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program
  • Opportunities for Students
    • Opportunities with the Interior Alaska Science Fair
    • Save the Date: Alaska Science & Engineering Fair - "Science to Scale"
    • The Juneau Icefield Research Program is seeking applications for summer 2026
    • Participate in Alaska's Annual iDidaContest
    • K-12 students and educators can attend the Alaska Marine Science Symposium for free
August, 2025
Issue 8 - Summer 2025
  • Classroom Resources
    • Tracks of Alaska Animals: A Guide for Educators
    • Getting started with Science Standards for Alaska
    • New wildfire education resources
    • Study Green-Down with UAF and NASA GLOBE
    • New “Energy Perspectives” lesson plan available for grades 6-12
    • Alaska Waters Education Resources
  • Science Stars
    • Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) suspended
  • Celebrating Science
    • Math class on a glacier
    • Young Alaskans compete and win in the World KidWind Competition
  • Opportunities for Educators
    • Resources for teaching science in Alaska
    • Join the Alaska Science Teachers Association
    • Learn about climate change in a self-paced online course about the Arctic from America’s Arctic University
    • Sign up for REAP’s Power Pledge Challenge
  • Opportunities for Students
    • Get creative for the 2025 International Chemistry & Art Competition
February, 2025
Issue 7 - Spring 2025
  • Classroom Resources
    • Updated clean energy careers in AK
    • Science resources from AK Dept. of Education & Early Development
  • Science Stars
  • Opportunities for Educators
    • One-week 'For Teachers' Field-based Courses at Prince William Sound College
    • Exploring Energy in your Environment: Free Training for K-8 Educators
    • Join Alaska Geographic Teacher Trainings this Summer
    • Ambitious Science Teaching Book Study
    • Registration open for the 6th International Workshop for Polar Educators
  • Opportunities for Students
    • Applications open for Inspiring Girls* Expeditions Alaska
    • Clean Energy Olympics Competition
    • Registration Now Open for Summer STEM Academies at Challenger Learning Center of Alaska
    • iResearch Summer Research Institute Applications for High School Students
November, 2024
Issue 6-Winter 2024
  • Classroom Resources
    • Wildlife Curriculum
    • Wildfire Education
  • Science Stars
    • Geese and the Carbon Cycle
    • Mini-grant: George's Secret Key to the Universe
  • Opportunities for Educators
    • Teaching with Phenomenon Webinar
    • Storybytes conference: Technology in Education
    • Be a leader in Alaska Science Teachers Association!
  • Opportunities for Students
    • Science and Engineering Fair
    • Food security microgrants from USDA
August, 2024
Issue 5- Fall 2024
  • Classroom Resources
    • Together for Birds
    • Solar Explorer
  • Science Stars
    • PD along the Chilkat River
  • Opportunities for Educators
    • Sealaska Community of Practice
    • ASTA mini-grants
    • An Introduction to CLEAN
  • Opportunities for Students
    • Cybermission Virtual STEM Challenge
February, 2024
Issue 4 - Spring 2024
  • Classroom Resources
    • Create Virtual Field Trips
    • Alaska Ocean Observing System
    • "Dirty Snow" Webinar
  • Science Stars!
  • Nomination for Frederik Paulson Arctic Academic Action Award
  • Opportunities for Educators
    • FREE membership to the Alaska Science Teachers Association
    • 16th Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference (WAISC)
    • Climate and Equity Education: A Summer Institute for Learning and Teaching
    • Climate Change in my Community: Water and Fish
    • Introducing CLEAN's Climate Mental Health Activity Guide
    • The 17th annual REcharge Academy
  • Opportunities for Students
    • 2024 NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth and Space Science Internship
    • Planning is underway for the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society Summer Youth Practicum
    • Alaska Geographic Teen Expeditions
November, 2023
Issue 3 - Fall 2023
  • 2024 Tsunami Bowl
  • Science Stars!
  • Science Resource: Project Learning Tree 'Together for Birds'
  • Join the FIRST Lego League
  • Opportunities for Educators
    • FREE membership to the Alaska Science Teachers Association
    • Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science
    • Opportunity: Alaska Marine Science Symposium
    • NSTA Awards and Recognition Program
  • Opportunities for Students
    • Inspiring Girls* Expedition
August, 2023
Issue 2 - Summer 2023
  • Renewable Energy Alaska Project
  • Science Stars!
  • Science Resource: New Permafrost Discovery Gateway education websites
  • ASTA Award Winners
  • Opportunities for Educators
    • Workshop: Scenarios of Change
    • Opportunity: Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching
    • Grants: Travel Grants for Polar Educators
    • Polar STEAM Educator: Applications open
  • Opportunities for Students
    • Contest: Sealaska Heritage Way of Life Photo Contest
    • Alaska Youth for Environmental Action
April, 2023
Issue 1 - Spring 2023
  • Classroom Activity: Permafrost in the classroom
  • Science Stars!
  • Science Resource: Arctic Rivers Storymap
  • Celebrating Science
  • Opportunities for Educators
    • Citizen Science: Share river and lake ice photos
    • Workshop: How to teach climate change towards empowerment
    • Fellowship Program: The CEE - Change Fellowship
  • Opportunities for Students
    • Webinar: Exploring GeoMagnetism through Citizen Science
    • Film Screening: Gen Z Mental Health and Climate