This presentation focuses on the current state of rural undergraduate STEM education and research at rural campuses of the University of Alaska Fairbanks while honoring the contributions of Larry Duffy has made to rural educational experiences. Students in rural Alaska communities have mostly seen attending universities have as less important learning experiences then traditional educational endeavors such as the learning the subsistence calendar, mastering local resource knowledge, and storytelling. However, as economic pressures continue to change society norms and incomes, there is a growing need for more western courses and degrees in the region. Much of this education is increasing done by distance education and e-learning techniques, but there is a need for more place-based face-to-face classes and local research projects.<br/>The work of Dr. Lawrence Duffy and his rural Alaska partners have been developing an education programs that includes the rapid changes that are occurring in the State. This network of rural science educators are working to improve the quality of environmental science, chemistry, and biology curriculum while increasing the number of underrepresented students gaining formal educational opportunities. A key to this network is the development of more place-based STEM facility and courses in rural areas by promoting the growth of human and social capital using summer science camps and undergraduate research mentored by place-based facility focusing on local issues related to climate and social change. One example is the use undergraduate students attending science conferences such as the Western Alaska Interdisciplinary Science Conference (WAISC). WAISC was founded in Dillingham, AK in 2007 and it first meeting was held at the Bristol Bay Campus in 2008. Since then WAISC has been held every year at a hub community in Western Alaska including Bethel (2011, 2015), Dillingham (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020), Fairbanks (2019), Kotzebue, 2014, Nome 2009, 2013, 2018), and Unalaska (2010, 2017).

Developing a rural STEM undergraduate educational network for western Alaska

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.