T3 Alaska Hosts a Dynamic STEAM Fest in Valdez | April 3-6
(Preferential space given to Upward Bound students. Learn more about Upward Bound and apply.)
T3 Alaska and the Alaska Workforce Alliance are excited to announce the Valdez STEAM Fest, taking place April 3-6, 2025, in the stunning coastal town of Valdez. Students from Upward Bound and T3 Alaska programs across the state will come together for an interactive and engaging weekend. The event will feature four key themes – maritime careers, mariculture, drones, and makerspace technology – focused on career and educational opportunities, including a behind-the-scenes ferry tour, a career panel with industry professionals, and hands-on projects. Students will also have the chance to prequalify for a marine course with Prince William Sound College (PWSC), making this an unforgettable learning experience!
The maritime theme explores career pathways in the Alaska Marine Highway System, offering students a behind-the-scenes ferry tour, experience with outboard maintenance, and on-the-water boat piloting and navigation training that brings maritime careers to life. This program provides practical skills, certification opportunities, and valuable insights into well-paying careers within the Alaska maritime industry.
Students will explore the world of mariculture with Dr. Amanda Glazier from PWSC and Sean Den Adel from Chugach Regional Resources Commission where they will learn about the science and industry of marine farming through activities and field excursions. This experience highlights the critical role of sustainable aquaculture, shellfish and seaweed cultivation, and marine resource management in Alaska’s economy and ecosystem. By engaging directly with these concepts, students will gain valuable insights and inspiration for future careers in this rapidly growing field.
Other themes of the event include makerspace technologies and drone mapping, offering students technical skills and problem-solving awareness. The T3 Alaska program practices growth mindset approach to learning. The makerspace session will immerse students in engaging projects, Raspberry Pi computing challenges, and creative engineering tasks that encourage exploration and adaptability. Brian Reggiani, T3 Alaska’s Student Engagement Lead, will guide students through the fundamentals of drone piloting and data collection, demonstrating real-world applications in local communities. Through these activities, students will develop valuable technical skills while learning to tackle challenges with confidence, think critically, and embrace new ideas as future innovators.
About Alaska Maritime Works
Alaska’s Maritime Works at the Alaska Workforce Alliance is a collaborative network focused on strengthening the state’s maritime workforce through partnerships with businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations. As a leader in workforce initiatives, it supports programs such as Experience Maritime, high school maritime career camps that engage students in hands-on learning about careers on and around the water.
About T3 Alaska
The T3 Alaska program teaches students technology skills – teaching through technology or T3 – within a safe learning “makerspace” environment. T3 Alaska extends into the community with collaborative partnerships that give students opportunities to apply these skills to real-world problems. These connections strengthen communities with new and creative student solutions for future and existing problems while providing students with practical applications to apply their learned technology skills.
Media Contact:
Brian Reggiani – T3 Alaska
bjreggiani@alaska.edu
(907) 947-7208
