Students study oceanography and oil spills in Sound
By ALICE DOU-WANG
Education Specialist
Prince William Sound Science Center
Nine high school students from around the country recently completed the Ocean Science and Leadership Expedition, a summer intensive course based in Cordova and Valdez and led by staff from the Prince William Sound Science Center. From August 5-14, the students studied principles of oceanography and marine environmental issues, especially focusing on oil spills, and developed leadership skills in a wilderness learning environment.
Students came from as far away as New York and Florida, with several coming from the Gulf Coast on first-time scholarships awarded through a partnership between the science center and the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium. For them, the expedition was an opportunity to share their experiences of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and learn insights from the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
“I really wanted to learn as much as I could about oil spills and how to properly respond,” said Danielle Wall, a high school senior from Sarasota, Florida.
By Cierra Martin
High school senior from Hurley, Mississippi
“Life is not a journey to the grave with intentions of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and to exclaim, ‘Wow! What a ride!’”
My aunt has this quote on a plaque nailed to her bathroom wall; I noticed it a few years ago, and since then I’ve made it my aim not to just exist but to really “live” my life.
This recent trip to Alaska to participate in the expedition was one of those opportunities to live like only few people ever have the chance to. I learned so much while I was in Cordova and Valdez, but speaking with director Mark Swanson from the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council in Valdez and Dr. Scott Pegau from the Oil Spill Recovery Institute probably had the biggest impact on me.
As I was sitting there listening to Dr. Pegau, I had such an overwhelming urge to DO something in my community as soon as I returned home. I had always wanted to take action, but he really boosted that desire with his words of encouragement. I am extremely interested in the citizens’ council program, and that is what I’d like to help start along the Gulf or a program of that nature.
Dr. Pegau stressed to the group that now is the time to act because a passionate student fighting for a cause she believes in can be as influential as a 40-year-old lobbyist. I plan to take the knowledge that I gained in Alaska and spread it around to the world. This opportunity has opened so many doors for me, and I plan to do my best to help in the construction of advisory programs along the Gulf.
I want to fight. Fight for our oceans, our wildlife, our businesses and our people in any way that I can.
In Cordova, researchers and educators from the science center taught the students about physical and biological oceanography and the science of oil spills through classes and laboratory activities.
In Valdez, students visited the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council to learn about the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill and the activities of the council.
“I would love to be part of starting an RCAC along the Gulf,” said Cierra Martin, a high school senior from Hurley, Mississippi.
The group also toured the Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Center to learn about oil transportation through the Sound.
The course included a kayaking trip near Columbia Glacier and along the coast of Valdez Arm. Although some of the planned kayaking was stymied by weather, the students were thrilled to paddle among icebergs and camp on remote beaches in Prince William Sound.
On one of those beaches, the group conducted a marine debris cleanup, collecting 202 pieces of trash to produce outreach projects to educate the public about marine debris.
The students’ final project at the end of the course was a half-day oil spill scenario, in which they used everything learned during the week to decide how to respond to a mock oil spill in Prince William Sound.
Playing roles in the Incident Command System, a standardized system for emergency response, as well as roles as outside stakeholders, the students first used their oceanographic knowledge to forecast the trajectory and impact of the spill, then decided how best to respond. In the midst of making cleanup decisions and assessing shorelines and ecological impacts, the students also had to negotiate contracts with fishermen and issue press releases.
“I thought that this project was interesting and informative. Both working with the incident command system and with the ‘public’ was important, and let me develop a respect for those people handling the Gulf oil spill,” said William, a high school sophomore from New York, New York.
Many of the students were attracted to this expedition by their interest in in marine science careers, and the course provided opportunities for firsthand interaction with the marine environment that confirmed their ambitions. Students were able to earn college credit for the course from Prince William Sound Community College, and gained experiences and knowledge to bring back to their schools and communities.
“This trip was like nothing I’ve ever done before and it changed my life,” Martin said at the end of the course. “I’m so glad that I had this experience, and it’s going to take me so far in life.”
The Ocean Science and Leadership Expedition was presented by the Prince William Sound Science Center with support from Prince William Sound Oil Spill Recovery Institute, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council, Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council, BP, and ConocoPhillips.