Ever wonder what a sea cucumber does when the tide is out? Or how a salmon avoids being caught by a bear? Come join Marine Biology as we discover first-hand the answers to these and many other fascinating questions!

This experience will enlighten or broaden each student’s knowledge of marine coastal areas in Alaska through hands-on field experiences in some of the state's most diverse, productive, and accessible waters. As a group we will travel to the south shores of Kachemak Bay, an extension of Cook Inlet that boasts some of the most beautiful and accessible beaches in the state! Numerous varieties of seastars, snails, sea cucumbers, clams, and worms thrive in the nutrient-rich waters and often grow larger than in other geographic regions.

Using UAF’s Kasitsna Bay Laboratory as our base camp, we will explore nearby beaches to gain an understanding of the diverse nature of the living organisms in the area. We will focus our studies on the biological component of the coastal marine environment, but will also investigate the connections between the physical environment and the organisms. During our stay we will experience the lowest tides of the month and be able to scamper about on beaches that are more often covered by water than not.
In the tradition of Jacques Cousteau and Sylvia Earle, we will explore the marine environment with eyes wide open, taking in all that can be seen and touched! We will design and complete a group project and will present our findings when we return to the UAF campus.

NOTE: Marine Biology is a remote module with additional cost. The cost for this module is $1600.  Preference will be given in this module to mature students in higher grades.

Dr. Ann Knowlton
My fascination with the sea and its creatures started as a teenager, even though I grew up in the landlocked state of Utah.  During college I grabbed the chance to learn more about the ocean by participating in a student exchange to Oregon.  I had found my passion! 

After earning a B.S. in Biology from Utah State University, I trekked up to Fairbanks to work on a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from UAF.  I studied intertidal invertebrates in Kachemak Bay, AK.  I love those slimy, spineless critters!  They are the best aliens around! 

While completing my degree I fostered a desire to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for the ocean with everyone I met. I started many science outreach activities from visiting local classrooms, to mentoring scouts through ocean-related merit badges, to much more.  The culmination of my efforts was the development of ASRA’s first “away” module—Marine Biology!  2008 will be the 5th year I have led the Marine Biology module.  It is a great satisfaction to see young minds grasp new knowledge and understanding of the world around them. 

Since graduating from UAF I have taught Marine Biology and Biology courses at universities in Washington and Utah.  I am returning to Alaska this summer to start a new position at UAF working with the Census of Marine Life, an international project trying to systematically study the organisms living in the world ocean.  I will specifically be working with the Natural Geography in Shore Areas (NaGISA) project where scientists are studying the shorelines of the world.  In addition to the ocean, I love working on the family sheep farm, riding horses, reading, and driving or racing my cute little blue car!

Vicki Stegall
I have long had an interest in science, and especially in biology, hence, my graduate work in marine mammal physiology, ecology, and conservation. My research interests focus on detecting and determining the effects of nutritional stress and how animals alter their metabolic demands to handle such events. Another interest is developing methods that can be used to measure the nutritional condition of animals, not only to assess health but to aid in management and conservation decisions.

Over the past few years I’ve developed a yearning to apply my science education beyond the confines of academic research and teaching. I have mentored two undergraduate honor students, been a teaching assistant for the Animal Biology and The Oceans laboratories, and participated in various outreach education programs including UAF Outdoor Days, Girl Scout’s Women of Science Day, Alaska SeaLife Center education programs and IPY Young Researcher’s Network. I’ve also had many informal opportunities to present science to the public by answering questions from inquisitive people who’ve happened upon research in progress.

Much of my field research is conducted in the public’s eye, whether it is working with stranded whales on crowded beaches, rescuing harbor porpoises trapped in fishing weirs, saving seals in Antarctica or capturing Steller sea lions. These informal teaching opportunities opened my eyes to the capacity that, I think, we all have for complete joy in learning science as science happens naturally…every moment, all around us. I love it when curiosity is peaked, exploration is promoted, and a personal interest is taken to protect our environment.  My love for nature continues outside of work, whether it’s hiking, backpacking, writing, painting, meditating, or simply being silent…and all with my dog, Wrangell!

Casey Debenham
I have always had passion for the marine world and now get a chance to enthusiastically share that knowledge to students year round.  I was born and  raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, and growing up always knew that I wanted to  become a marine biologist.  I first received a Marine Biology degree from Long  Island University, Southampton College (LIU).  I then decided to return back to  wonderful state of Alaska where I obtained my Masters Degree in Marine  Biology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). 

During my studies and  travels I have explored many ecosystems throughout Alaska and around the
world. The majority of my time during graduate school was spent working in subtidal areas such as kelp beds and in intertidal zones.  I also performed many hours of scientific diving working in areas such as the Arctic Ocean, Kodiak Island, Prince William Sound, and  Kachemak Bay. 

Lately I have been working in more of a tropical setting.  Currently I am Marine Science teacher and PADI SCUBA instructor for a collage sail training program called Sea|mester.  During my time on the boats I  have sailed around the Caribbean and also spent time in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.  I have previously worked as an assistant instructor for the ASRA Marine Biology module and I am excited for the opportunity to work for ASRA again!
 

Heather Riley
Marine Biology excites me!  I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t fascinated with the ocean and everything that lives in and around it.  I was one of those kids that begged their parents to take them to Sea World and then would beg them to leave me there with the killer whales.  I grew up in Ohio so getting to the ocean was not a particularly easy thing and I’m convinced that dreaming about it was even rarer.  Instead I would read every book I could, watch the discovery channel, and day dream of having my office one day be the ocean. 

In college I decided to pursue this dream and received my Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science.  While there I was able to fuel my passion by volunteering and getting involved in bottlenose dolphin studies and working summers in the North Atlantic as a volunteer on large whale survey cruises.  Alaska was always a place that I knew I wanted to visit—the ocean, wildlife, beauty, and adventure was something this small town Ohio girl craved.  I moved to Sitka in 2003 where I had the amazing opportunity to work at Mt Edgecumbe High School and work under Jan Straley who has been studying whales in Southeast Alaska since the late 70’s. 

Since then I’ve continued my interest in this field and am now completing my Master’s degree in Marine Biology at UAF.  Over the past few years I’ve spent the majority of my summers in and out of Dutch Harbor collecting information to help me better understand the numbers and distribution of humpback whales in the Eastern Aleutian Islands. 

I have a heart for outreach education and realize the value of sharing knowledge, while always being open to learn more!  Over the years, I’ve made it a priority to get involved with youth and share my passion for the ocean with them.  Not only does it keep me young and excited, but I hope to have the opportunity to help someone see that they can dream big, go far, andlove
science.   Kachemak Bay is the perfect place to play, discover, and challenge yourself to see just how amazing our ocean community is!