From Hatchery to Lab: High School Students Explore Alaska’s Fish & Wildlife
by V. Heisser |
Adjunct instructor Kelsey Stanbro—an ecologist and wildlife and fisheries biologist with the Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission (AITRC)—is teaching BIOL A190 ST: Biota of Alaska: Fish and Wildlife Techniques as a dual-enrollment course for high school students in the Copper River School District (CRSD). This 1-credit course is embedded in the General Biology course offered at CRSD, offering the students the opportunity for college credit while also completing their high school Biology requirement. This course introduces students to fundamental skills in fish and wildlife biology, sampling methods, and data collection. Through hands-on experiences, students gain the skills to collect ecological data and better understand population health and management—no textbook required. This course tuition is funded through a grant that AITRC received from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Indian General Assistance Program (IGAP).
Yesterday, the class traveled to Valdez for a day of immersive, real-world learning.
Their visit began at Solomon Gulch Hatchery, where hatchery staff explained operations and guided them through the facility’s setup. While there, the students spotted several sea lions gathered near the hatchery weir, offering a rare look at marine mammals interacting with a hatchery environment.
After the hatchery tour, the group visited Prince William Sound College to study coho (silver) salmon up close. Stanbro introduced a sampling protocol used by AITRC to trace the population or stock of Copper River salmon and monitor parasites that may affect fish health. Through a guided salmon dissection, students explored fish anatomy, discussed ecosystem health, and saw firsthand how scientific sampling supports the sustainability of wild salmon populations.
Special thanks to Rob Unger and the Solomon Gulch Hatchery staff for welcoming the students, sharing their expertise, and providing the salmon that made this valuable field experience possible.