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What gets kids interested in pursuing science? According to Jeff Drake, director of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Summer Research Academy, it is fun.

"I learned long ago that what changes lives and makes students want to pursue a career, is fun," Drake said. "I became a scientist because it was a cool way of looking at and playing with the world, not because I enjoyed homework."

This philosophy is embodied in the Alaska Summer Research Academy (ASRA), a high caliber two week summer camp of the University of Alaska Fairbanks designed to inspire and engage students, grades 8 through 12. According to Drake, ASRA brings together instructors who are experts in their field and passionate about what they do and who also really like to share it with kids. It offers the opportunity for students and instructor to have fun learning.

In this spirit, SpringBoard, a program of the Juneau Economic Development Council, has teamed with ASRA and the National Park Service to offer a science course in Glacier Bay National Park, July 14-25.

The course, "Glacier Dynamics and Biologic Succession," is led by Cathy Connor, University of Alaska Southeast professor of geology, and Clay Good, recently retired oceanography instructor for Juneau-Douglas High School. They are joined by Riley Woodford, of the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and National Park Service education staff.

The students will spend eight full days in Glacier Bay conducting scientific experiments, learning from and guided by this outstanding team of instructors. Their home base is the RV Glacier Seal, skippered by Mark Choquette who has generously contributed to the success of the expedition. Collette Costa rounds out the crew, contributing kitchen science to the expedition's repertoire.

Students on this year's inaugural trip into Glacier Bay have come from as far away as Texas and Kotzebue, and as close to home as Auke Bay.

Mary Hakala, Springboard STEM Education Coordinator, initiated the Glacier Bay planning after meeting with ASRA Director Jeff Drake and being inspired by ASRA's philosophy and their partnership with Denali National Park.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for students from across Alaska and the U.S. to discover and learn from one of the amazing natural laboratories in our backyard here in Southeast Alaska. The aim of this course is to inspire and instruct students in the sciences in a way that will motivate long into the future. Glacier Bay offers everything we can hope for in an awe-inspiring setting, coupled with fascinating scientific attributes. The students will learn from researchers working with underwater acoustics and Humpback Whales, geologic and cultural studies, biologic succession research, glaciology and more."

SpringBoard hopes to continue offering captivating science experiences like the Glacier Bay expedition, with start up funding from the U.S. Department of Defense, for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education.

"The kids here are having a blast," Drake said of the eighth day of camp. "They are begging to stay and work on their projects, rather than going to recreational activities. ... We're looking for the kids who are having a bad time, and we're having trouble finding them."

Today, the "Glacier Dynamics" ASRA students will travel through Juneau en route to closing ceremonies on the UAF campus. Students and instructors will be available to answer questions and offer insights.

For more information on the Alaska Summer Research Academy, contact Jeff Drake at www.uaf.edu/asra jdrake@gi.alaska.edu or 907-474-7077.