The Department of Biology is happy to announce a new field class travelling to Sitka, Alaska in the Summer of 2026! We will be spending 10 days in Sitka (May 20-29th) and will be working with the Sitka Sound Science Center and the Sitka Fine Arts Camp.
Because this is the first year this course has been offered, the exact itinerary is still be worked out. However, we have our first draft of our itinerary noted below. The activities noted should not change, but the day-to-day plans may evolve as we get closer to the trip.
Preliminary Itinerary
Day 1 — Wed, May 20
Arrival to Sitka
- SSSC will provide pick-up from airport and transport to SFAC
- Settle in / short neighborhood orientation (if time allows)
Orientation & Welcome to Lingít Aaní
Tlingit Welcome by Alex Johnson-Rice
SSSC Welcome & Safety Briefing
- Shoreline & forest safety, bear awareness, weather expectations
- Overview of field journals: observations, sketches, questions, connections
Lunch
Classroom Session led by instructors: Ecosystems of Sitka Sound
- Sitka as a coupled land–sea system
- What to observe: patterns, gradients, interactions
Independent Exploration of Sitka National Historical Park
- Students will orient themselves with the forest, shoreline, and cultural communities of Sitka
Evening: Group dinner + course overview, goals, and student interests
Day 2 — Thu, May 21
Intertidal Ecology
Settling Plate Examination / Invertebrate Community Study led by Marnie Chapman
Low Tide Transect Study (-0.62)with Lauren Bell
Lunch
Snorkeling / kelp forest exploration with Kari Paustian (conditions permitting)
Classroom discussion led by instructors
Day 3 — Fri, May 22
Marine Ecosystems of Sitka Sound (Boat Day)
Allen Marine Wildlife Tour boat day joined by a marine biology expert
Lunch
Dock Walk with Eric Jordan and/or Wendy Alderson
- Learn about the local fishing community and different vessels commonly seen on Sitka Sound
Classroom discussion led by instructors:
- Group observations: What did we see? What surprised us?
Day 4 — Sat, May 23
Forest Ecology, Art & Place
Ocean dip with SSSC staff
Tongass Hike led by Sarah Tobey
Lunch
Tlingit Carving & Cultural Perspectives led by Will Peterson
- Carving as cultural practice and relationship to land and materials
Classroom discussion led by instructors
Evening (light): Independent journaling or optional short walk
Day 5 — Sun, May 24
Traditional knowledge, western science, and making connections
Forest Walk: Edible Plants & Traditional Knowledge led by Mary Goddard
- Seasonal relationships between people, plants, and stewardship
Lunch
Aquarium / Wet-Lab Session led by Matt Wilson
- Learn about nearshore and intertidal organisms through a hands-on experience
Classroom discussion led by instructors
Day 6 — Mon, May 25
Wildlife, tourism, human impacts
Tour of Alaska Raptor Center
- Learn about avian anatomy, behavior, and rehabilitation
Sitka Wonders film showing and talk with Ben Hamilton
Lunch at Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal
Cruise Boom film viewing with Ellen Frankenstein
- How cruise tourism impacts local communities
Classroom discussion led by instructors
Day 7 — Tue, May 26
Mariculture, Salmon & Human–Ecosystem Interactions
Introduction to Mariculture led by Angie Bowers & Brenna Haakinson
Lunch
Seafood Producers Cooperative tour with Stephen Rhoads
Salmon Hatchery Tour led by Haley Jenkins & Brenna Haakinson
Classroom discussion led by instructors
Day 8 — Wed, May 27
Human Impacts on Coastal Environments
Marine Debris Project with Kristina Tirman and/or Zofia Danielson
- Learn about marine debris impacts to the ecosystem and participate in field work
Lunch
Turning Marine Debris into Art with Kristina Tirman and Zofia Danielson
- Students will continue learning about marine debris and use collected materials to create unique works of art
Classroom discussion led by instructors
Day 9 — Thu, May 28
Integration, Student Synthesis & Community Meal
Nature Journaling and Scientific Illustration with Lisa Teas Conaway
- Students will learn skills and techniques to better capture their observations in nature
Lunch
Herring Cove Hike led by Chase Coleman
Classroom discussion led by instructors
Group Dinner at SSSC featuring locally sourced food (e.g., grilled salmon)
- Closing reflections and appreciations
Day 10 — Fri, May 29
Departure & Final Reflections
Final Ocean Dip with SSSC staff
Morning (light programming)
- Independent tide pooling (-0.72)
- Final field note prompt: What did I notice, learn, and still wonder?
- Optional short shoreline walk if time allows
Departures
Course Design
Grading: Students will be graded on Class Participation, Community Presentations, Field Journals, a final Group Presentation and a Final Paper (after our return from Alaska). Class participation includes showing up and participating in the various daily educational activities. Pairs of students will present and deliver a short overview of the various ecological communities we will visit in Sitka. Students are expected to keep daily journals of their experiences throughout the trip. The Group Presentation and Final Paper are related: each student is expected to develop an idea for a community-oriented project that they could possibly undertake if they were to return to Sitka for a summer (~3 months). They will develop their idea over the trip, with copious feedback from the class instructors, and in the final nights they will present their ideas to the class for class feedback. Once the students return to Akron, they will develop a ~10 page paper fully outlining their proposed project.
Are there Pre-Requisites for this Class?
The short answer is NO. The class is open to a broad range of students that are interested in ecology and history of native cultures, and thus is open to a broad set of majors. The information you will need for the class will be provided before and during the trip. It is also open to any class level, freshman to seniors. The course is a 400-level, 4-credit lab class, and thus will satisfy both upper division Biology/Biomedical Science credits as well as a lab-based science course.
How Do I Enroll in This Class?
The class is limited to 12 total students. The course costs $3,000 for the room and board, travel to and from Sitka, local transportation and educational fees to the two Centers we will work with. The class will also require signing up and paying for a 4-credit summer course (tuition and fees depend on your specific year class and can be calculated here).
To be added to the class, students need to supply a $100 non-refundable deposit. Deposits can be left in the Biology Department Office (ASEC D401). Once we get the deposit, we will sign you up for the class (once summer sign-ups are open).
Is there Scholarship Funding for this Trip?
Yes! Students can apply for a limited number of $500 scholarships for this course. Scholarships are allotted on a financial need basis.
For more information, please email Dr. Steve Weeks (scw@uakron.edu) or Dr. Lara Roketenetz (ldr11@uakron.edu).