Education and Outreach

Background: Our education program began in 1998 with the inception of a few informal high school internships at the George and Tatlawiksuk River weirs. In later years, KNA biologists began conducting informal visits to local school; teaching simple lessons on fish identification and anatomy. These small efforts have since grown to the formal k-12 Fisheries Science in the Schools Program, the High School Internship Program, and many smaller outreach and education programs. KNA’s educational programs not only encompass a large age range, from kindergarten to college, but also a large geographic area. In addition to KNA’s 13 member villages, students from communities throughout the Kuskokwim and Yukon have been welcomed into KNA’s High School Internship Program at George and Tatlawiksuk River weirs.

Vision: KNA fisheries education programs seek to involve local youth in Kuskokwim River fisheries monitoring and research by providing locally focused and relevant educational programs that present a clear path to employment in fisheries and natural resource science careers and promote a local population that can participate knowledgeably in fisheries issues. By encouraging students to explore their own knowledge of local fisheries, to seek out traditional ecological knowledge from members of their community and providing instruction in Western scientific methods the fisheries education programs aim to develop a local population that can actively participate in managing fisheries resources to ensure the long-term sustainability of fisheries and the subsistence way of life.

High School Internship

The Kuskowkim Native Association, Fisheries Department offers two types of High School Internships. These internships are conducted at either the George River weir or the Tatlawiksuk River weir. Students spend their time learning about the Kuskokwim watershed and it's natural resources through hands-on field activities and written work. After successfully completeing the program, students receive a $250 stipedn and may also qualify to meet state education standards needed for graduation

For more information on both types of internships and to apply Click Here.

Fisheries Science in the Schools

The KNA Fisheries Science in the Schools program has changed over the years to include a fisheries educator, visits from KNA Fisheries staff and now includes online curriculum. Currently KNA Fisheries plays an active roll in the schools by designing lesson plans the teachers in the Kuspuk School District can use in their classrooms. KNA Fisheries also vistis and conducts some lessons if there is time while they are in town for a community meeting. The curriculum for educators uses a 2-year spiral design that alternates between salmon biology and watershed ecology. Students are introduced to concepts in younger grades and then taught more detail as they progress through school. Fore more information and Lesson Plans Click Here.

Other Education and Outreach Programs:

Fisheries Science Career Academy

School Visits

Kuspuk School District Math and Science Raft Trip

Community Meetings