GeoFORCE Alaska Annual Report 2016

2016 Annual Report

2016 GeoFORCE Alaska Annual Report Published October 2016

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GeoFORCE Classroom: Matanuska Valley

welcome why who how photospread inaugural results look back look ahead finances partnerships industr y mentors stop by for a visit

from the director

Dr. Sarah Fowell, Associate Professor, UAF Dept of Geosciences

Dear Sponsors, Students, Parents, and Friends, This has been a banner year for GeoFORCE Alaska! Students in the first cohort graduated from high school; a large and enthusiastic cohort entered the program; and our new Program Coordinator participated in her first GeoFORCE academy.

Last summer, 18 students in the inaugural cohort completed the Fourth-Year Academy trip to the Rocky Mountains. To date, 94% of these GeoFORCE alumni have graduated from high school and 72% will attend college this year. College-bound students have selected majors ranging from business and social work to computer science and engineering. The fact that 61% of our alumni will be pursuing degrees in science or technology suggests that GeoFORCE has had a positive impact on their interests and career choices. As a geoscientist, I am particularly delighted that five students (28%) will be pursuing geology or earth science degrees!

Members of the new cohort began to arrive on the UAF campus in late May in order to participate in the First-Year Academy.

Thirty-three students from the North Slope and Northwest Arctic boroughs learned about rivers and glaciers, mountains and tectonics, as they travelled with GeoFORCE from Fairbanks to Anchorage. Barriers melted away as bonds were forged between students from different villages and boroughs. On the exit survey, 100% of the students agreed that they learned a lot, and 97% confirmed that they had fun, made new friends, and/or really look forward to the 2017 Second-Year Academy trip to the southwestern United States.

After three years and four Academy trips, Anne Rittgers decided to step down as Program Coordinator in order to pursue a graduate degree in Northern Studies. I can’t thank her enough for her assistance in launching GeoFORCE Alaska and for recruiting the jumbo, economy-sized cohort. The new Coordinator, Sylvia Hutchinson, came to us from her position as Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Fairbanks, and her experience with after-school programs and summer camps was evident as she shadowed Anne on the First-Year Academy. Together, we aim to increase the boroughs served and double the number of academies per year in order to offer the GeoFORCE experience to interested students across Alaska.

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Sarah Fowell

from the coordinator

Sylvia Hutchinson, GeoFORCE Alaska Program Coordinator

New Friends, A summer spent trekking glaciers, hiking national parks, and rafting rivers is hard to beat. It’s even better when accompanied by 33 students from rural Alaska with wide eyes and infinite energy. I feel fortunate to be part of the GeoFORCE Alaska team.

This summer was my first with GeoFORCE. As a fervent supporter of experiential education, active learning, and summer programming, I eagerly joined the GeoFORCE team at the end of May. Excited to learn more about the student experience, I launched into my first Academy three days later. What I found was nothing short of magical.

Over the 10-day excursion, I watched as students mastered the geology of Alaska, relied on one another for academic and emotional support, grew in resilience and confidence, and learned from educators, mentors, and professionals.

GeoFORCE offers its students the chance to study science in the field. It provides an outdoor classroom as a backdrop for learning. It highlights 21st century skills, all while encouraging summer fun, peer teambuilding and connection with nature. The program’s formidable academic standards prime each student for high school graduation and college success. This is a program I can stand behind!

Exciting plans are already underway for the Second-Year Academy in the southwestern United States. Students will explore three states, two national parks, one national monument, eleven field stops, and one major college campus.

For many, this will be their first trip to the Lower 48.

Thank you all for your steady support as we welcome our second cohort of students. We recognize the integral role you play in developing our youth into their best possible selves, and we are grateful to you.

Sylvia Hutchinson

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WHYGeoFORCE Alaska

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GeoFORCE Alaska is designed to increase the number and diversity of Alaska residents entering Alaska’s technical workforce.

GeoFORCE Alaska emphasizes hands-on field projects that allow students to practice the scientific method while visiting spectacular geological locations around the country.

North Slope and Northwest Arctic residents with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields bring a valuable perspective to managment of Alaska’s natural resouces.

GeoFORCE helps students graduate. During the 20142015 school year, 37.6% of Alaska Native/American Indian students in grades 7-12 dropped out of Alaskan public schools.

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WHO is GeoFORCE Alaska

Gender

Ethnicity

Borough

3%

Asian Asian & White

3%

Caucasion/White

6% 67%

3% 3%

Pacific Islander/Hawaiian

3%

Native Alaskan, Hispanic & White

12%

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African American/Black

Native Alaskan & White

Native Alaskan

Point Lay Anaktuvuk Pass Atqasuk Kivalina

Kotzebue

Nuiqsut

Point Hope

Selawik Wainwright Noatak Kobuk Barrow

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HOWdoes GeoFORCE Alaska work GeoFORCE Alaska is open to students from Alaska’s North Slope and Northwest Arctic Boroughs Keep them engaged

Students apply to the program in eighth or ninth grade.

Science teachers, principals, and counselors in our targeted schools aid us in selecting talented, qualified students interested in math and science.

Students are selected on the basis of grades, an essay, and a teacher recommendation, not on gender or ethnicity.

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Exposure to a wide variety of geological concepts and skills

Active Learning + Field Work Mentors and industry sponsors teach the students REAL LIFE APPLICATION

of geological concepts

Academically Intense Each day, field exercises are followed by interactive evening classes, a review session, and a quiz.

Students are required to score at least 80% on a final exam.

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Students raft down the Chena River in Fairbanks, spotting cut banks and point bars along the way

The cohort enjoys a morning hike through Denali National Park and a lesson with park geologist, Denny Capps

The group gathers for a safety chat before hiking Matanuska Glacier on the Glenn Highway

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Sierra McLane, National Park Service Director for the Murie Science and Learning Center, teaches the students about dinosaurs in Denali

Many of our students set foot on a glacier for the first time ever!

Ben (student) and geologist Hank Jamieson (industry mentor) chat as they ride along Turnagain Arm

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GeoFORCE student Jojo enjoys the trek and sunshine over Matanuska Glacier

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MICA Guides help students traverse Matanuska Glacier

Students get an up-close glimpse at the TransAlaska Pipeline System outside Fox

GeoFORCE student Ben studies in Denali National Park. The guidebook was created specifically for use during the First-Year Academy!

After rafting the Chena River, students pull out at Pike’s Landing, just across from the “LOVE ALASKA” sign

Led by Director Sarah Fowell, students hike through the forest of Kincaid Park in Anchorage

Students examine coal deposits at Suntrana Creek outside of Healy

Students discuss depositional environments as they walk through Kincaid Sand Dunes

Students drop oranges from the Chena River Footbridge to measure current velocity

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Inaugural

94%

stats

high school graduation

“

Ever since this last year’s GeoFORCE trip, and getting accepted to UAF through the program, I have been more motivated to stay on top of things even in a school this big. I have a better look at my education. I have a set goal that motivates me to do better for myself. Without you guys, I honestly don’t think I would have set these goals. Thanks to you all, I am doing a lot better than before.

“

18 Students

Alfred

GeoFORCE graduate Tikigaq School graduate

72% college

matriculation

61% STEM majors

28% geoscience majors

Nursing

Social Work

Geology

Biology

Computer Science

Engineering

Earth Science

Graduate Snapshots...

LOOKING BACK on 2016’s First-YearAcademy in Alaska

• •

• • • •

OBJECTIVES

Learn about minerals, rocks, & the rock cycle Understand how & why earthquakes are monitored in Alaska Create and nurture new relationships Identify point bars and cut banks Experience life on a major university campus Explore rivers and glaciers as agents of erosion and deposition • Distinguish between braided and meandering rivers

STAFF

Director & Instructor Dr. Sarah Fowell Program Coordinator Anne Rittgers Program Coordinator Sylvia Hutchinson Trail Driver Matt Seymour Mentors Hank Jamieson, ExxonMobile; Veronica Jones, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation Educational Coach Kevin Neyhard, NSBSD Counselors, UAF Geoscience Students Stefan Krogseng, Kailyn Davis, April Knox, William Crumpacker, Patrick Graham, Carl Ravenscroft, Jordan Widman, Raphael Drier

Adventure

this way

Trans-Alaska Pipeline Service 495 mi rth

UAF Museum of the No

503 mi

US Army Corps of Engineers Permafrost Tunnel 504 mi

r

Chena Rive

Minto Flats

Suntrana Creek in Healy

ning Murie Science and Lear

Center

er

551 mi

Park

584 mi

700 mi

Portage Glacier

GeoFORCE Classroom: Matanuska Valley

505 mi

584 mi

Denali National Matanuska Glaci

493 mi

761 mi

Kincaid Park Sand Dunes

724 mi

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LOOKING AHEAD to 2017’s Second-YearAcademy in the Southwest Gr a

nd

Ca

, Winslo rater w , Ar i

k

rC

nyon Nation a l Pa r

eo

Me t

n zo

a

LOGIST! Apply geologic concepts to real life e Think like a GEO : S E V I T xample OBJEC s.

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“

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I have never been out of Alaska, so next year will be a big year for me.”

nstruct ancient environments.

Amayaa, GeoFORCE Student

n tio a r o Embrace collab

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Financialreport GeoFORCE Alaska 2017 Budget Estimated expenses Sept. 1, 2016 to Aug. 31, 2017

Operating Expenses Staff salary + Benefits Director Program Coordinator Outreach Office Expenses Travel

Breakdown $ 12,800 $ 80,700

Academy Expenses

-

Total $ 93,500.00

$ 12,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 15,000.00

Second-Year 2017 Academy Expenses (34 students) $ 147,310.00 Total Personnel $ 20,700 Total Materials and Services $ 15,755 Total Meals $ 15,350 Total Transportation $ 42,965 Total Lodging $ 46,040 Contingency $ 6,500

Total Estimated 2017 Expenses

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$ 272,810.00

GeoFORCE Alaska Expenses 2016 Sept. 1, 2015 to Aug 31, 2016 Q1 Q2

Q3

Q4

YTD

Operating Expenses Staff salary + Benefits Director Program Coordinator Office Expenses Outreach Travel

Academy Expenses

GFA Fourth-year 2015 Academy Expenses Personnel Materials and Services Meals Transportation Lodging GFA First-year 2016 Academy Expenses Personnel Materials and Services Meals Transportation Lodging

$ 9,662.41 $ 5,989.01 $ 17,303.58 $16,776.83 $ 25,499.64 $ 25,755.57 $ 609.89 $ 339.16 $ 1,607.20 $ 2,369.49 $ 364.23 $ 331.10 $ 65.00 $ 1,798.64 $ 12,431.15 $ 2,057.19

$ 15,651.42 $ 85,335.62 $ 4,925.74 $ 760.33 $ 16,286.98

$ 72.00 $ 151.00 $ 447.50 $ 766.33 $ 1,240.00 -

Total GeoFORCE Alaska Expenses In-Kind Donations Income 2016 Surplus as of Aug. 31, 2015

$ 163.75 $ 1,808.63

$ 50.00 -

-

$ 273.00 $ 447.50 $ 766.33 $ 1,240.00

$ 285.75 $ 9,546.89 $ 339.85 $ 1,552.91 $ 5,425.87

$ 7,363.96 $ 8,236.26 $ 13,123.47 $ 9,015.36 $ 14,973.30

$ 7,649.71 $ 17,946.90 $ 13,463.32 $ 10,568.27 $ 22,207.80

$ 22,602.17 $ 32,001.62 $ 53,970.52 $ 88,948.61 $ 197,522.92 $ 12,247.00 $ 197,250.00 $ 189,308.59

End of 2016 Balance

$ 201,282.67

GeoFORCE Alaska Program Income Sponsor Name ASRC ASRC Energy Services Autaaqtuq Fund BP ConocoPhillips ExxonMobil Granite Construction Great Bear Petroleum Halliburton Energy Services Lynden Inc. Linc Energy Mapmakers Alaska NANA Trilogy Metals Inc. (formerly NovaCopper) Olgoonik Repsol Resource Capital Funds Foundation Schlumberger Shell SolstenXP Statoil Anonymous Donor Richard Trotman

2012 $ 16,626 $ 10,000 $ 55,393 $ 5,000 $ 500 $ 25,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 10,000 -

2013 $ 36,911 $ 5,664 $ 20,000 $ 1,000 $ 50,000 $ 2,000 $ 25,000 $ 50,000 $ 15,000 $ 25,000 -

2014 $ 52,000 $ 1,500 $ 5,000 $ 25,000 $ 500 $ 50,000 $ 2,500 $ 1,000 $ 10,000 $ 75,000 $ 1,500 -

2015 $ 35,000 $ 20,000 $ 45,000 $ 10,000 $ 25,000 $ 50,000 $ 5,000 $ 1,000 $ 5,000 $ 2,500 $ 100,000 $ 3,000 -

2016 $ 25,000 $ 20,000 $ 10,000 $ 25,000 $ 50,000 $ 5,000 $ 2,000

Total $ 165,537 $ 7,164 $ 20,000 $ 65,000 $ 25,000 $ 105,000 $ 1,500 $ 255,393 $ 5,000 $ 500 $ 2,500 $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $ 2,000 $ 4,000 $ 5,000 $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $ 62,500 $ 50,000 $ 325,000 $ 65,000 $ 29,500 $ 10,000 $ 250 $ 250

Annual Totals

$ 222,519 $ 230,575 $ 224,000 $ 301,500 $ 197,250 $ 1,175,844

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Sponsors

P l at i n u m L e v e l

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thank you

Generous contributions from these sponsors make the GeoFORCE experience possible for our students.

Gold Level

S i lv e r L e v e l

Copper Level

Thank you to Richard B. Trotman for his individual donation to GeoFORCE Alaska.

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Hank Jamieson, Senior Geoscience Advisor

ExxonMobil

“I was already a believer in the program and am now convinced that it is an outstanding vehicle to educate and to encourage students to pursue further scientific education.”

Thank you to our industry mentors Veronica Jones, Geologist

Arctic Slope Regional Corporation

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“It was an honor to see these students learn and grow from this experience and I am so happy to be a part of it. I truly enjoyed seeing their eyes light up when they saw how massive a glacier can be, how permafrost looks underground, and thinking of the evolution of rivers while rafting. I know and have seen this program influence students’ lives in a way that any person may have never thought possible.”

Stop

by for a visit

Resource Development Council Alaska Resources Conference November 16-17, 2016 Anchorage, Alaska

American Geophysical Union UAF Table at Fall Meeting December 12-16, 2016 San Francisco, California

Visit our website! www.geoforce.alaska.edu

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

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GeoFORCE Alaska is a program within the College of Natural Science and Mathematics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The college prepares undergrauate and graduate students for professional careers and public service in fields related to natural, physical, technological and numerical systems, with an emphasis on northern perspectives.

GeoFORCE Alaska

College of Natural Science and Mathematics University of Alaska Fairbanks PO Box 755940, Fairbanks, AK 99775 geoforce@alaska.edu (907) 474-5313

PHONE

(907) 474-5101

FAX

UAF is an AA/EO employer and educational institution.