Working with Youth Outside of School
Participating in a science or science/culture camp
Summer youth camps provide opportunities for informal interactions with youth in field settings where you can engage them with science as it is being done and that is relevant to their local area.
A number of Alaskan institutions, natural resource agencies, and tribal groups sponsor summer youth camps which provide opportunities for field science in remote camp locations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has played a lead role in “challenge grant” support for camps located on National Wildlife Refuge lands or serving youth in communities within the Refuge.
Many local groups and businesses partner to make these camps happen each year and where the population is primarily Alaska Native, the focus of the camps is a combination of science and traditional knowledge transmitted by elders and other community members. Contact the Refuge Manager or local Native corporation to find out if there is a camp scheduled in the area where you do your research. The Alaska Native Knowledge Network has also provided leadership for science/culture camps and included them in a "how-to" manual available on the COSEE Alaska website.
In addition to science/culture camps, a number of summer youth programs focus on marine education experiences at the high school level. Contact educators in the specific coastal communities to find out about their needs for scientists to provide presentations or lead field trips for these camps or to develop collaborative programs.
Mentoring an intern
Consider including high school or college student interns in your research projects. A number of organizations can help you with recruitment, particularly if you want to target Alaska Native or rural students.
Be sure you can provide a meaningful experience for the intern, not a “make work” situation. Think carefully about how you will supervise the student, provide him or her with logistical support (e.g., food, lodging and/or stipend) and research and career opportunities, and provide guidance and positive feed-back. A very effective way to involve small, rural communities in your research is to provide experience and training for young people in the local area where your research is conducted.
Mentorships work best when the communication and learning is two-way. Be prepared to learn from your intern and to admit it!
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