Gulf of Alaska | Ecosystem Perspectives
Expanding ocean observations with open-source tools and experiential learning Presenter: Christina Bonsell , Christina.Bonsell@boem.gov, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Alaska Region
Katie Gavenus , katieg@akcoastalstudies.org J. Jacob Levenson , jacob.levenson@boem.gov Kara Mahoney Robinson , kara.b.mahoney.robinson@gmail.com
Henry Reiske , henry@akcoastalstudies.org Jamison Smith , jamison.smith@bwri.org Cassie Stymiest , cassie@educationalpassages.org Andrew Thaler , andrew@blackbeardbiologic.com
Alaska’s vast coastline requires creative approaches to expand ocean observations. Open-source tools can provide low-cost solutions for collecting and processing ocean data. Community science programs that use open-source tools can expand the scale of data collection for researchers and management agencies. Importantly, these tools make ocean science more accessible for everyone – from local environmental managers to ocean farmers and educational organizations. The Student Engineers Advancing Ocean Technology (SEAoTech) program is a collaboration between educators and ocean technology experts that combines emerging technology development, data collection, STEM education, and local outreach. Through this program, Kenai Peninsula students build open-source oceanographic instrumentation – OpenCTDs and MiniBoats – and collect data from their local environment, learning principles of oceanography and engineering along the way. By promoting student technology skills in the context of environmental science, this program fosters local capacity through education and access to equipment. We hope to advance the development and use of open-source technology to lessen barriers and increase equity in ocean science.
Alaska Marine Science Symposium 2023 159
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker