Welcome to COSEE Alaska!

We're the newest center in the national network of centers for ocean sciences education excellence COSEE, aimed at helping ocean scientists reach broad audiences with their research. We're a regional center (Alaska) with a theme of People, Oceans and Climate Change, focused on weaving together traditional knowledge and western science to share place-based knowledge of ocean climate change in the north.

COSEE Alaska is a close-knit team of ocean scientists, communicators and educators from the Alaska Ocean Observing System, University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UAF Center for Cross Cultural Studies, Alaska Sea Grant, Alaska SeaLife Center and the Anchorage School District.

We engage ocean scientists, teachers, informal educators and community members in the region in a broad range of programs, including statewide ocean science fairs, teacher workshops, expanded Communicating Ocean Science Workshops and hands-on sessions for scientists at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium, plus distance learning and virtual field trips through our website.

Working closely with ocean scientists, educators and coastal community members, COSEE Alaska seeks to enhance ocean and climate change literacy in formal and informal audiences and the public.

• Weave
Link scientists, educators and coastal communities in Alaska and nationwide with emphasis on ocean climate change.

• Bridge
Communicate western science and traditional knowledge about ocean climate change to Alaska and the nation.

• Invite
Increase participation in ocean sciences by underrepresented and under-served audiences.

• Pathfind
Provide tools and services to ocean scientists for effective outreach with focus on ocean climate change literacy.

• Share
Enhance teacher capabilities for incorporating ocean climate change and place-based knowledge into curricula.

Established in September, 2008, we held a workshop for coastal school districts to launch ocean science fairs. We also hosted a one-day Communicating Ocean Science workshop at the annual Alaska Marine Science Symposium, where more than 650 ocean scientists shared their research in Alaska’s seas.

In fall, 2009, we will launch SEANET – an informal network of ocean scientists, educators, communicators and community members interested in communicating about research in Alaska's seas.

Senior Project Management Team
Lead P.I.: Molly McCammon, Executive Director, Alaska Ocean Observing Program
Project Director: Nora Deans, Communications Director, Alaska Ocean Observing System, Senior Outreach Manager, North Pacific Research Board
Project Manager: Marilyn Sigman, Assistant Professor, UAF Alaska Sea Grant/Marine Advisory Program
Project Evaluator: Dr. Andrea Anderson, Consultant, Soundview

Additional P.I.s
Paula Cullenberg, Program Leader, AF Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program
Dr. Michael Castellini, Associate Dean, UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
Dr. Ray Barnhardt, Director, UAF Center for Cross-cultural Studies and Alaska Native Knowledge Network
Texas Gail Raymond, Science Coordinator, Anchorage School District
Nicole Nelson, Education Department Director, Alaska Sea Life Center

For more information about COSEE Alaska, please contact Marilyn Sigman at msigman@alaska.edu