Educational expeditions program examines past student experiences

This week, scientists from the University of Alaska Fairbanks are presenting their work alongside thousands of colleagues from around the world at the 2023 American Geophysical Union fall meeting. Some of their discoveries are featured here. You can also find out more about UAF at AGU by searching for #UAFxAGU on social media platforms.

Inspiring Girls* Expeditions Alaska is an education program that has been empowering young people in Alaska since 2012. The program’s 12-day backcountry expeditions combine science, art and outdoor exploration in inspiring landscapes. 

Joanna Young, program director, and a team are performing mixed methods research to examine how participants from 2012 to today experienced their expeditions. The research is being co-created with the Alaska Tribal Resilience Learning Network, the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society, and faculty at the UAF Department of Social Work.

“The goal is to look back, in order to improve for the future,” explained Young. “We asked about past participants’ motivations for participating, relationships to land and community on the trips, and what they took home from the expeditions.”

The research is still underway. Early themes show respondents developed a strong connection to the land they visited, especially as they formed friendships.

“Another powerful message was that participants are hungry to learn more Indigenous knowledge of the land, alongside Western science learning,” said Young.

The results of this research will go beyond a Monday presentation at the American Geophysical Union fall meeting. Ultimately, Young said, the program plans to use this information to improve programming, grow the connection to Indigenous knowledge of the land, and strengthen participation from across Alaska. The team hopes that other educational programs can also learn from the results.  

In the meantime, planning for 2024 expeditions is in full swing. Applications are open now for next year’s glacier and sea kayaking expeditions. Visit the website to apply.