CIRI Alaska Tourism's Prince William Sound Explorer Program out of Whittier concluded its first season on May 24. The science program is designed to engage students of all ages from the moment they board the Prince William Sound Cruises & Tours vessel. The varied activities inspire an understanding and appreciation of the unique marine environment while the students study geology, ecology, and meteorology in western Prince William Sound.

Based on the success of Kenai Fjords Tours' field-trip program, which began in 1994 operating from Seward, Prince William Sound Cruises & Tours implemented a similar educational explorer program beginning in early May. Similar to the Kenai Fjords program, a five-hour field trip from Whittier featured onboard instructor-led learning stations focusing on the glaciers and geology of the Blackstone Glacier area, analyzing seawater and plankton, weather, navigation, and history of the sub-arctic region.

Dana Churness, holding a global positioning system receiver, teaches Wasilla Middle School students about navigation and meteorology.

Throughout the month of May, more than 1,000 students traveled aboard the m/v Greatland. Students in grades one through 12, representing schools from Yakutat to Anchorage and a home school, have participated.

Allison Plute, holding glacier ice, teaches students about glaciers and geology.

"It's cool, I like the glaciers," said Levi McCracken, a 13-year-old seventh grader who was aboard the final trip of the season. McCracken was one of 51 Wasilla Middle School honor students participating in the field trip. Students attending from Wasilla Middle School had to maintain a good grade point average and good behavior since early February to earn a spot on the trip.

Six adults, including two teachers and four chaperones, accompanied the Wasilla students. Sharon Brown, a seventh grade Wasilla Middle School science teacher and trip coordinator, had previously traveled aboard the Kenai Fjords Marine Science Explorer and signed up for this trip a year ago after learning it was being offered. Brown said that for some of the students, it is their first time on water and they love the hands-on learning experience. She also said that the students have a first-hand experience of seeing, touching and hearing science and can put what they learn in the classroom to use.

Explorer Program instructors Dana Churness, Cheryl Dalena, Allison Plute, and Carly Walker each led a session ranging from geology of the Prince William Sound, glaciers, navigation, and meteorology. Churness said her experience working for the program is amazing because of the state's history and beauty. "I learn from the students too, they are always so interested and interactive during the sessions I teach on navigation," said Churness.

Whittier ninth grader Brian Yang was also aboard to lead a session at a kittiwake rookery. He has traveled aboard the boat to study the kittiwake population as an indicator of the overall health of the ecosystem.

The Prince William Sound Cruises & Tours m/v Greatland can accommodate groups of five to 80 students in one trip. Reservations are being taken for 2003 field trips. For more information about the Kenai Fjords and Prince William Sound Marine Science Explorer Programs or to schedule a field trip, contact Leslie Hines toll-free in Alaska at (800)478-8068, ext. 4554, or email kftscience@ciri.com.