Friends of Alaska Refuges volunteer, Joe Cannon, served as one of the judges for the Northwest Arctic Borough School District Science Fair in early March. Pictured with him are two Kotzebue High School students. Photo by Susan Georgette, March 2009.

Deputy Manager Patrick Snow, along with a second judge from the community, questions two Kotzebue High School students about their fisheries project. Photo by Susan Georgette, March 2009.

The Kotzebue High School cafeteria buzzed with activity earlier this month as students put finishing touches on their Science Fair projects and judges assembled to hear final instructions on scoring. The eagerly anticipated Northwest Arctic Borough School District Science Fair was about to begin!  Among the judges were several Selawik Refuge staff, continuing their long tradition of volunteering for this event. Also, for the first time a talented member of Friends of Alaska Refuges was participating as a judge in the fair. Volunteer Joe Cannon traveled to Kotzebue from Anchorage to help evaluate students’ projects using his expertise from his National Weather Service background.  At the conclusion of the judging, he commented, "It was facinating to discover the projects the kids studied from growing beans with different types of music to testing the strength of arch bridges.  It was an afternoon of education for me as well."

The school district was especially pleased to enlist the help of community members with scientific backgrounds who can provide constructive feedback to the students. The refuge was especially grateful for Joe’s willingness to travel north on short notice and happily face a demanding schedule of student projects. Thanks, Joe!