T3/UB 2024 Summer Program
The T3 Alaska/Upward Bound Summer programs were a phenomenal success this year, with over 50 students attending one of the two multi-week sessions. June’s program introduced students in grades 9-11 to the T3 Alaska program, focusing on growth mindset, technology, earth monitoring sensors, drones, and makerspace equipment, along with a week of in-the-field experiential learning. July’s program brought in students from grades 10-12 to advance their tech skills and apply their learning to energy, climate, and oceanic concepts relevant to their communities.
June’s program was centralized at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where students experienced campus life, toured facilities, and learned about career pathways by engaging with professionals. The program featured three strands—drones, sensors, and makerspace—each developing skills and completing projects that addressed community problems.
The drone strand consulted with the Minto Village Council on local issues affecting their community. The village leadership requested geospatial information to guide decisions regarding village expansion. Students gained FAA Trust certification to fly autonomous drone flights, performed photogrammetry, and utilized QGIS to manipulate geospatial data, producing 3D interactive maps as a resource for the Minto Village Council.
The drone and sensor strand also partnered with the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOTPF) to acquire data on undefined navigational corridors, particularly ATV traffic. They developed a prototype remote sensor, equipped with solar energy and weather-resistant housing, to collect sonic and photographic data at set intervals. This project provided students with valuable skill development and career education while offering the community potential resources to improve roadway safety.
T3 Alaska’s partnership with Mat Taylor of Chena Manufacturing and Bernie Sanders at Chena Hot Springs enabled another group of students to develop a weather station designed to locate wildfires efficiently using wind speed and direction, as well as to track weather conditions for aviation. The makerspace strand taught students how to 3D print useful products using advanced design software.
The July session, “Advanced T3 Community Engagement,” held from July 7-24, invited advanced or returning summer program students to deepen their understanding of energy, climate, and oceanic concerns.
All students had the opportunity to tour Alaska to explore their fields of interest. The climate strand visited the Wrangell Mountain Center and community partners to engage with pressing environmental questions. The ocean strand focused on mariculture and the measurement and evaluation of water quality. After their fieldwork, students returned to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where the energy strand was mentored by River Bennett and Daniel Berlin, engineers from T3 Alaska partner Radiant. MIT scientist Haruko M. Wainwright and Radiant engineers captivated students with a co-presentation on nuclear energy, including a hands-on project using a cloud chamber and radiation detection monitor.
Both summer programs left students filled with ideas, inspiration, and knowledge!