Our Grade 9 class is currently touring Alaksa, using the town of Seward, as their home base. Led by Alaska experts from the school, Jim Harper and Lisa Armstrong, the class is having a wonderful time experiencing culture, science, outdoor education, and more. They have visited the Alaska Heritage Center, a wildlife rehabilitation center, and the Marine Center, where the back stage access turned into a wonderful training session with the sea lions. The group happened to be in the right place at the right time! They spent the afternoon watching the trainers work with the animals and touring the facilities.
A trip to Alaska is not complete without a glacier hike. The guide was informative and allowed a lot of free discussion about glaciers, ecology, geology, and climate change. The best part for Jim Harper was seeing the kids really shine when they discussed the big picture issues. They asked great questions and surprised the guide with their knowledge (thanks to science teacher, Mr. Pedersen). The group also saw a black bear roaming around a green patch of grass on the steep hillside as they headed down.
The next adventure was an amazing boat tour along the coastal fjords of Kenai National park. Our wildlife tally includes orca whale, Dall’s porpoises, fin whales, humpback whales, sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, black bears, puffins, and other sea birds.
The last picture is with a local artist named Dot Bardarson, taken when the kids visited her studio in Seward.
Sure sounds like an adventure for all. Watch for more updates!
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