Hands-On Learning Builds Future Energy Leaders in Kotzebue

Energy challenges in the Northwest Arctic are real—and T3 students are gaining the skills to meet them head-on. Through hands-on, community-connected learning, students in Kotzebue are building the confidence and experience needed for future leadership.
T3 Curriculum Lead George Reising recently joined T3 Coaches Kenneth Vildosola and Merle Green for a workshop where students worked toward their Growth Mindset and Raspberry Pi (RPi) Level One badges.

The day kicked off with a collaborative Growth Mindset challenge, where students practiced perseverance, creative problem-solving, and the “power of yet.” With that foundation in place, they dove into Raspberry Pi projects—navigating real-world starts and stops while staying adaptable and focused. By the end, sensors were triggering, buzzers were sounding, and students had turned ideas into action.
A highlight of the visit was an activity which connected classroom learning to real-world cybersecurity applications by Kjell Olson, a technical expert working from ACEP through the Department of Defense SkillBridge program. Students discovered how a Raspberry Pi can be used with a software-defined radio or SDR card to listen to air traffic, radio, and TV signals, opening their eyes to the many possibilities of technology in everyday life. This led to a discussion about intercepting signals, sending misinformation, and encrypting signals, key aspects of cybersecurity and a formal introduction to the topic for all students.

By the end of the day, students had earned badges, strengthened critical thinking skills, and experienced what it means to learn by doing. More importantly, they’re continuing to build the mindset and skills needed to support energy resilience in their communities.