This award will engage the public on the issues surrounding the interaction and interdependence of human systems and natural systems. Specifically, it will engage them on human impacts and the health of salmon fisheries in the area of Sitka, Alaska. The public in this area includes the citizens of lower portion of Alaska, K-12 students frequenting the Sitka Sound Science Center on field trips, Alaskan Natives, visiting scientists, and tourists who arrive by cruise ships.
The exhibit will be placed at the Sitka Sound Science Center and will include a tank of live salmon fish, a computer game, a 10 minute video, and an artist's rendition of the fishing system and salmon life cycle. The team of scientists from the University of Washington coupled with the exhibit developer, Tenji, Inc., and the outstanding artist, Ray Troll should produce an understandable and marvelously picturesque exhibit for the visitors. This will be augmented by the highly capable staff that has considerable experience in translating science concepts to the public. Media broadcasts will broaden the reach of the exhibit.
While the impact of this project is not huge in terms of numbers of people, it is an important endeavor as the people in the Sitka area of Alaska will understand their role in the food system for themselves and for the many other parts of the world. Furthermore, the cruise line visitors will derive an understanding of the fragile environment of the salmon ecosystem.
The Science Connection exhibit was an overwhelmingly successful collaboration between the University of Washington School Of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, and the Sitka Sound Science Center, a non profit organization, that produced an exhibit that communicates research to a public audience, The two year project resulted in a permanent multimedia exhibit in Sitka, Alaska, that includes: a live fresh water salmon habitat tank exhibit, a video, new signage, art work and a game created by Alaskan artist Ray Troll. The exhibit explores how salmon are connected to the rest of the natural ecosystem and the human community. It explains the salmon life cycle, provides hands on learning opportunities and exposes visitors to the importance of salmon research. Third party professional evaluations demonstrated that the exhibit results in: visitors being more aware of Pacific Salmon and their habitat needs; visitors understanding the complexity of salmon in the sustainability of communities and healthy ecosystems and take these lessons home to places outside of Alaska. Additionally, through this project graduate students became engaged in communicating science to the general public by collaborating with some of the nation’s top science communicators. The Salmon Connection Exhibit is part of the annual visit from the students of Sitka High School, which is 27% Alaska Native, Pacific High School, 80% Alaska Native and Mt. Edgecumbe High School 95% Alaska Native to the issues and science of pacific salmon. Communicating research to this public audience not only exposes this population to the research but also provides an opportunity for exposure to scientific careers. In addition, 10,000 international cruise ship passengers visit the exhibit annually.
