At False Pass School in the Aleutians East Borough School District, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door—and it definitely doesn’t stay on dry land. This year, students explored science through hands-on investigations of the Aleutian environment while also building practical marine safety skills connected to everyday life in a fishing community. Together, these experiences helped students see that what they learn in school matters: it keeps them curious, capable, and prepared.
Science That Starts Here: Investigations Rooted in the Aleutians
Through hands-on, project-based learning, students connected core science topics—rocks, weather, motion, chemical reactions, and even ocean chemistry—to real observations they can see around them every day. With support from visiting instruction from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), students practiced asking questions, testing ideas, and using evidence to explain what they noticed in the world.
Lessons strengthened understanding of forces and gravity, electricity and light, sound waves, heat transfer, and atmospheric pressure—while reinforcing the scientific method and critical thinking. Students also built literacy and math skills by collecting data, spotting patterns, discussing results, and communicating their thinking with classmates. Outdoor and place-based learning opportunities made science feel authentic, helping students deepen their connection to local geology, marine systems, and weather patterns.
Herman (Grade 7) shared how outdoor learning connects to everyday decision-making: “Bears are cute. Learning about bears is fun because I will be more responsible when I see a bear. When I’m on a hike, I see lots of bears. And now, I’m smarter with bears and outdoor safety.”
Skills for Life on the Water: APICDA + AMSEA Marine Safety Training
False Pass School also partnered with the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association (APICDA) through a school grant to offer project-based, inquiry-driven learning rooted in the local fisheries economy and life on the water. With support from AMSEA (Alaska Marine Safety Education Association), students took part in age-appropriate marine safety training focused on cold-water survival, hazard recognition, and emergency response—skills that directly support families and community members who live and work around boats and open water.
Charlie (Grade 5) described the training as memorable and engaging: “I say that the AMSEA experience was a 15 out of 10 experience. It was very fun and interesting to do. I liked how he did something different for every lesson like how we used the compasses to find specific points in the gym. So yeah, it was a great experience and I hope that more stuff like that happens.”
Instruction was led by Mr. Rob Hulse, a retired K–12 educator whose background in commercial fishing and outdoor skills helped students connect classroom learning to real work, subsistence activities, and everyday decision-making. Families and community members joined in as well, strengthening a shared culture of safety, stewardship, and preparedness—while also affirming that local knowledge and values belong at the center of education in False Pass.
Anna (Grade 4) especially enjoyed practicing emergency readiness: “I liked putting on the emergency suits. It was pretty fun because you have to know how to do it quickly and it was fun to put on. It was fun to make the maps.”
Annabelle (Grade 4) noted how the lessons even changed her day-to-day habits: “My favorite part was cold-water safety because every winter I get cold and didn’t dress warm. Now, I dress warmer for outside.”
When Students See Themselves in Learning
Whether students were investigating the forces behind motion, tracking weather patterns, or practicing cold-water survival routines, the big idea was the same: learning is most powerful when it connects to students’ lives. In a community where the ocean and outdoors are part of daily experience, building scientific understanding and safety skills side by side supports confidence, responsibility, and pride.
Rocky (Grade 1) highlighted hands-on safety tools and problem-solving: “I liked the fire one. It looks cool. There’s like this metal bar and you scrape it to start a fire with the little red thing. I actually liked the bags too because it had safety stuff for when your stuck in ice. If you have it clipped on you, you are safe. And then when you’re in danger, you know how to be safe.”
Asher (Kindergarten) liked learning to navigate with a compass: “I liked the part where you have to find the numbers with the compass. It was fun because you have to look through it to see all the numbers.”
Looking Ahead
False Pass School is grateful for the partnerships that make this kind of learning possible—from UAF support that strengthens science instruction to APICDA and AMSEA programming that builds real-world marine safety skills. By combining investigation, outdoor learning, and practical training, students are gaining tools they can use now and in the future—at school, at home, and out on the water.