Education Outreach is just one facet within the GI Outreach Office. The team brings geophysical research into K-12 classrooms throughout Alaska and develops teacher training programs based on research conducted at the Geophysical Institute. Our programs are designed to increase educational knowledge and excitement in the geosciences. Other outreach opportunities for UAF students and the community as a whole are offered throughout the year.

If you have students or a non-profit group that would like to learn more about the aurora, volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, permafrost, unmanned aerial vehicles or remote sensing, please contact us.

Contact

608C Elvey Building 
Monday-Wednesday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
907-474-1910

UAF Space Media & Outreach

The Geophysical Institute works with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as part of the NASA Space Science Education Consortium. The consortium is focused on providing outreach and NASA educational resources to the Nation. 

For more information on GI activities under the NSSEC please visit: https://sites.google.com/alaska.edu/nssec/home

 

Outdoor Walking Tour

Looking for something to do outside while you socially distance? Come to the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus and check out the GI's free outdoor walking tour. This tour provides information regarding numerous individual features located near the Geophysical Institute. See a rocket, satellite dishes, the Planet Walk and more!

For more information please visit https://www.gi.alaska.edu/about/outdoor-walking-tour

Planet Walk

The UAF Planet Walk is a scale model of the solar system that takes visitors on a one mile walk from the sun past all the planets to dwarf planet Pluto.

For more information please visit http://www.gi.alaska.edu/planetwalk

Alaska Tsunami Education Program

The Alaska Tsunami Education Program blends Alaska Native knowledge and science instruction. Hands-on, standard-aligned classroom lessons, interactive multimedia and mapping projects for grades K through 12 give students an opportunity to learn the science of tsunamis in a culturally relevant context. The program was funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

For more info please visit http://aktsunami.org/

 

Arctic Climate Modeling Program

The research-based Arctic Climate Modeling Program is funded by NSF ITEST. Curriculum-based resources were designed with input from 21 scientists from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. Resources include K-12 inquiry-based classroom lessons, a student network for observing Arctic weather, digital lectures and an interactive multimedia learning system on DVD.

For more information please visit http://www.arcticclimatemodeling.org/

 

Aurora Alive

The Aurora Alive science education program teaches the science behind the northern lights, with hands-on classroom lessons and an exciting multimedia DVD that features hundreds of interactive activities, photos and movies of the aurora. The program is perfect for both classroom and homeschool use.  

For more information please visit http://www.auroraalive.com/

 

Cultural Connections: The Northern Lights

Learning Through Cultural Connections: The Northern Lights weaves together science concepts about the aurora borealis with Iñupiat culture and language. The project includes three key products: classroom instruction kits, interactive museum exhibits and a 25-minute video, “Kiuġuyat: The Northern Lights.” The film was also produced in a format for high-definition viewing in a planetarium.  

For more information please visit https://culturalconnections.gi.alaska.edu/

 

Ola Ka Honua: Volcanoes Alive 

Explore the science, math, and Native Hawaiian culture of volcanoes in Hawai'i. Bilingual curriculum features two comprehensive teacher’s manuals—one in English and one in the Hawaiian language. An associated bilingual, interactive, multimedia DVD brings hands-on curriculum to life.  

For more information please visit http://www.volcanoesalive.com/

 

Portable Planetarium 

NOTE: As of March 16, 2020, we are not currently offering planetarium programs until current health advisories allow.

Planetarium presentations are available for grades K-12. Programs illustrating grade-appropriate concepts about stars, planets and space science are 20-40 minutes in length. A team of volunteers deliver exciting digital presentations via the StarLab digital portable planetarium.  Presentations are available to schools, civic groups and other nonprofit community organizations. Staff time and travel must be paid by the hosting organization for presentations outside of Fairbanks.  

For more information please visit here.

 

Science Teacher Education Program

The Science Teacher Education Program (STEP) courses were offered to teachers from 2006 to 2009 and covered topics in space physics, climate change and Earth science.  

For an overview of the training topics that were featured, Alaska Grade Level Expectations addressed, scientists involved and other highlights please visit http://www.aksci.org/courses_historical.html 

 

Uniting Native Indigenous Traditional Education & University Science

The Uniting Native Indigenous Traditional Education & University Science (UNITE US) curriculum focuses on Arctic climate and interweaves Native and Western perspectives with the ultimate goal of instilling cultural pride and increasing climate literacy as a path to academic success and graduation for Interior Alaska students in grades 7 through 12.

For more information please visit http://www.uniteusforclimate.org/