news

NPRB Communication and Outreach Director Position Announced

NPRB is seeking a skilled science communicator to fill the full-time exempt position of Communication and Outreach Director. Read the full position description here.  Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2013.

NPRB Appoints Dr. Doug Woodby as Interim Executive Director

The North Pacific Research Board (NPRB) has appointed Dr. Doug Woodby as its Interim Executive Director. Dr. Woodby will serve as Interim Executive Director through March 15, 2013. Read the announcement here.

130 Proposals Received in 2013 Competition

A total of 130 proposals were received in response to the 2013 NPRB solicitation for research proposals. The proposals will be peer-reviewed and the Board will make funding decisions in May.

Graduate Student Research Awards

In 2013, NPRB is offering up to six awards (three for Master’s students and three for doctoral students) of $25,000 each. More information and the application guidelines are available here.

Elusive Giant Pacific Octopus Studies

NOAA Alaska Fishery Science Center: With funding support from NPRB (Projects 906, 1005), Alaska Fishery Science Center scientists in collaboration with the University of Alaska Fairbanks are studying ways to capture and tag giant Pacific octopus. They also are studying the reproductive biology of the animal and the effects of being captured and discarded. Check out the spectacular underwater video and more information here! 

 

Between Pacific Tides Project on the Radio

A  community engagement project at the Sitka Sound Science Center, funded by NPRB (Project1115) was recently featured in a newspaper story and on KCAW, the local Sitka radio station, and picked up by NPR in Anchorage--listen here.  (Photo from SSSC)

NPRB Co-Sponsors Arctic Ocean Teacher Workshop

NPRB co-sponsored a recent workshop that brought together Arctic scientists and educators from the North Slope and elsewhere in the United States to develop lessons about the Arctic Ocean.  The workshop was organized in collaboration with the Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS), the Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEE) Alaska, and the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS).NPRB Arctic Program Manager, Danielle Dickson, participated in the workshop May 18 – 23 in Barrow, Alaska. 

     Among the participants were several scientists who are actively engaged in Arctic research, educators from the North Slope Borough School District representing a variety of grade levels, and teachers from outside of Alaska who have participated in the PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating) program.  Researcher-teacher pairs who formed lasting relationships through PolarTREC shared their experiences and inspired North Slope teachers to reach out to the scientists who frequent the Alaska Arctic to bring Arctic science into their classrooms.  Local Barrow community members including elders and whaling captains also shared their wisdom.

     The incorporation of traditional knowledge and the importance of putting lessons into context using local examples figured prominently in the workshop.  The teachers from the North Slope Borough School District developed lessons based on the Iñupiaq Learning Framework that is currently being implemented.  Lessons were developed for many different grade levels from kindergarten to high school and their focus ranged from basic Arctic Ocean food webs to the potential effects of changing environmental conditions on the balance of ecosystems.  The finished products will be made available on the ARCUS website in early July.

     GULF OF ALASKA: Last summer, NPRB co-sponsored a teacher workshop on the Gulf of Alaska through the EARTH workshop. Resources can be found at mbari.org/earth/EARTH2011.html

     BERING SEA: In the fall of 2012, NPRB worked with partners to spearhead the launch of the ecosystem professional development workshop series with one focused on the Bering Sea. Visit www.polartrec.com/collections/bering-sea-ecosystem.html for the Bering Sea Collection of educational resources.

about NPRB

Congress created the North Pacific Research Board in 1997 to recommend marine research initiatives to the US Secretary of Commerce, who makes final funding decisions.

Vision

A clear understanding of the North Pacific, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean ecosystems that enables effective management and sustainable use of marine resources.

Mission

To develop a comprehensive science program of the highest caliber that provides a better understanding of the North Pacific, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean ecosystems and their fisheries. The work of the NPRB will be conducted through science planning, prioritization of pressing fishery management and ecosystem needs, coordination and cooperation among research programs, competitive selection of research projects, enhanced information availability and public involvement.

2009-2010 NPRB Report

For highlights of the activities of the Board over the years 2009-2010, download a PDF of the bi-annual report here.