T3 Alaska and the Alaska Workforce Alliance collaborate to bring Maritime STEAMfest to coastal communities in 2025

STEAM Fests are fun events by the University of Alaska Fairbanks T3 Program that introduce students in communities across Alaska to the science, technology, engineering, art, and math aspects associated with a career field or a location. Field trips, hands-on activities, and learning sessions are combined to encourage students to see themselves in these roles and understand the pathways.

Beginning in 2025, T3 Alaska and the Alaska Workforce Alliance will be putting on unique Maritime-focused STEAM Fests. This Maritime theme is inspired by a partnership with the Alaska Department of Transportation, Alaska Marine Highway System who has recognized the importance of building Alaska’s maritime workforce and connecting students with career opportunities. In spring 2025 events were held in Sitka, Wrangell, Seward, and Valdez. This fall, events are being coordinated in Hoonah, Kake, Ketchikan, Juneau, Kodiak, and Homer.

This project aims to raise awareness among Alaskan high school students about career opportunities in the maritime industry and provide a pathway to track student progress as they move through successive levels of engagement. The University of Alaska Fairbanks T3 Alaska Program, and the Alaska Workforce Alliance (Maritime Works Program) bring experience in facilitating student events and multi-year capacity building programs that bridge the gap between post-secondary education opportunities and high school students from rural and underserved backgrounds.

Maritime Camps

After students engage in a Maritime STEAMfest, some will have the opportunity to complete a short online class, and then participate in a four-day intensive class. In this follow-up class, they will be coached through completing essential Coast Guard-regulated paperwork and credentials, dive deeper into the different options for career pathways in Maritime, and have fun on field trips and activities.

Some skills and knowledge that students can expect to gain throughout this experience include:
● Professionalism (Work ethic, Leadership and Initiative), Communications, Maritime Terms, Types of Ships and Careers
● Support for credentialing: TWIC Office visit, Food Handlers Card, MMC Application support
● Post secondary education awareness: Financial Aid and Scholarships, AVTEC, UAS, Coast Guard
● Exposure to different jobs on ships: Deck Department, Engine Department, Steward, Galley, Navigation and Piloting