ASLC Interns Rock!

ASLC-NPS Interns Abe Hartsell (l.) and Ninan Rosen (r.) with Cindy Ecklund (ASLC HR Manager) and Seasonal Interpreter Ben Gilles sharing novel approaches to marine interpretation

Many science institutions tend to think of Interns as young professionals in training.  While that may be true in a strictly HR development sense, at the Alaska SeaLife Center, we have learned that Internships are actually one of our most  powerful ways to generate innovation! 

ASLC Avian Intern Ali Rinaldi (r.) shares the results of her experiments on habitat structure with ASLC staff and volunteers

Aquarium intern, Anna Hildebrandt with her new photo database of microscopic animal and plant life that is such a key part of the marine food chains!

With  more than 300 Internships now completed at the Alaska SeaLife Center over the past 13 years, we have come to appreciate the tremendous value of "learning by doing".  This year was no exception.  Our 2011 Intern Fair - held earlier this week - provided the opportunity for our incredibly talented interns to share their work with staff, volunteers, visitors and their peers.

Marine mammal interns Courtney Schuert (l.) and Kelsey Thompson (back r. facing) sharing results of their projects on Steller Sea Lions

Each intern provided both an overview of that they have been doing and how that work will contribute to the longer term effectiveness of ASLC research, education and stewardship programs.  Many projects generated materials that visitors wills ee in the 2012 ASLC exhibit and education programs.  All projects have generated new data and tools that will enhance our existing science and outreach programs, and many of them will also be featured in upcoming presentations at the 2012 Alaska Marine Science Symposium and similar scientific meetings.

ASLC Intern of the year Krystal Fales explaining her work on DNA of Eider Eggs

This year some 27 interns from around the country are engaged in a diverse range of science and education projects - as the 2011 Intern Fair demonstrated, there was a remarkable level of innovation evident in their work.  Walking around the Fair reminded all staff of the value that these young scientists and educators bring to our mission - each of them found creative ways to demonstrate often complex scientific and education concepts and so enable us to promote ocean literacy among our visitors.

Intern Jo-Anne Siskidis sharing her project on Harbor Seals with ASLC Internship Program Coordinator, Daniel Barth

Climate change interns Hillary LeBail (r.) and Joseph Hunt (l.) conducting climate change jeopardy - a game to evaluate understanding of climate change attitudes.

Not only did the interns demonstrate their scientific and communication abilities, they also helped inspire ASLC staff to think about our work differently!  Thanks again to all of our interns and their partners/supervisors for the great work underway this summer.
I encourage you all to keep an eye out for these future rock stars of global marine science and education! 
We are planning to seek further corporate support in the coming year to expand this program - having been involved in marine science and education for some 30 years, I have not seen any better program to build the vital science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) capability that sustainable use and management of our global oceans demands.