Documentary Provides High School Learning Opportunity

A West Valley High School teacher was recently looking online for content to include in her geography and vegetation of Alaska class when a Google search suggested the “Alaska Grown” documentary created by ACEP’s Amanda Byrd.

“This unit generally includes topics about plants, invasive plants, and agriculture. Since I am not able to do all of the in-class activities I usually do, I felt like your documentary covered a lot of real important issues that many people don't think about,” said Joy Kennedy Grubis in an email to Byrd.

Grubis created questions for her students to answer from the video, which helped them find some of the important issues related to food security and the agriculture industry in Alaska. In an incredible twist, Molly and Elizabeth Cable, two of the people featured in the documentary, are students in Grubis’ class, a surprise to both the teacher and the class.

Grubis has offered her question guide for other educators to use with the documentary.

“Alaska Grown” is also an official selection for the 20th Annual Anchorage International Film Festival, which will be held as a virtual event from Dec. 4-13, 2020.

“Alaska Grown” is a documentary supported by AgriLogic Consulting through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency to raise awareness of the Alaska agriculture industry and help move Alaska toward a more food-secure state.

 

Arthur Keyes talks about Alaska grown carrots in the documentary. Photo by Amanda Byrd.