Mapping the Future in Kotzebue

By Conrad Kerber, M.Ed. High School Sciences

T3 Alaska coach Conrad Kerber reflects on his experience with the T3 Alaska program that he implemented at Kotzebue High School, Northwest Arctic Borough School District.

Teaching for the past few years in the small city of Kotzebue, in Northern Alaska has been a magical journey mapped with amazing discoveries and treasured memories. Having the opportunity to coach the local T3 Alaska club and further broaden the minds of this community of young learners was rewarding. The club members are a collection of inquisitive, young thinkers who have grown into a unique group of talented students, firm and proud with their choices. The T3 Alaska program has been a part of that journey.

Kotzebue’s T3 Alaska club has been the foundation for one the most anticipated student projects to date. The students have designed, 3D fabricated, and constructed a scaled and detailed 3D map of Kotzebue. The students used drones to survey and take detailed images of the city, block by block. Through different computer aided design tools, they created scaled down replicas of each house and structure in the city. After applying the appropriate colors with model paints, and additional detail structures, the buildings were placed on a platform. When complete, the 3D map project will be displayed at the school’s main entrance lobby.

The future for this community is glowing with potential as these students continue to exhibit passion and motivation to continue with other projects and activities that can, like the 3D mapping project, be shared with the community. T3 Alaska uses technology to guide many talented students towards leadership and creative innovation. As not just an educator, but also as a purveyor of passion, and provider of inspiration, I could not be more appreciative for what the T3 program has brought to our community.