Sitka Sound Science Center facts for kids
The Sitka Sound Science Center is a special place in Sitka, Alaska, where people learn about and study the ocean and nature. It's a non-profit organization, which means it uses all its money to help with its mission, not to make a profit.
The Science Center is located in the historic Sage Building on Lincoln Street. It's like a hub for science, with a salmon hatchery, an aquarium, research labs, classrooms, and offices.
Sage Memorial Building, 834 Lincoln St, Sitka, AK 99835
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| Location | Sitka, Alaska |
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| Coordinates | 57°2′59″N 135°19′25″W / 57.04972°N 135.32361°W |
| Major exhibits | Molly Ahlgren Aquarium= |
Contents
What is the Sitka Sound Science Center?
The Sitka Sound Science Center (SSSC) started in 2007. It took over the old labs of Sheldon Jackson College after the college closed. The SSSC has about 15-20 full-time staff and hires more people in the summer.
A Place for Research
As a field station, SSSC helps scientists do important research. They offer services and facilities to visiting researchers. They also support local studies on topics like landslides, ocean acidification, salmon, and marine geology. It's part of big groups like the Organization for Biological Field Stations.
Connecting Science with the Community
The Science Center really focuses on getting the community involved in science. They also teach scientists how to share their research with people in Alaska. They have a special program called the Scientist in Residence Fellowship (SIRF). This program brings scientists to Sitka to learn how to talk about their work.
Sheldon Jackson Salmon Hatchery
The Sheldon Jackson Salmon Hatchery was the first licensed hatchery in Alaska. Students from the college built it in 1972. The SSSC now runs this hatchery. It's used for both raising fish and for teaching.
The hatchery is allowed to raise millions of salmon. This includes 3 million pink salmon, 3 million chum salmon, and 250,000 coho salmon. This helps keep the salmon populations healthy in the area.
Molly Ahlgren Aquarium
The Molly Ahlgren Aquarium is a popular part of the Science Center. It's named after Molly Ahlgren, a respected local marine scientist and professor. She helped get funding for the aquarium before she passed away in 2004. The aquarium officially opened in 2005.
What You Can See at the Aquarium
The aquarium has many exhibits, including fun touch tanks. You can see many different kinds of sea creatures that live in Sitka Sound. In 2019, over 14,500 people visited the aquarium to learn about marine life.
Buildings and History
The Sage Building, where the SSSC is based, was renovated in 2014. In 2020, the Sitka Sawmill building was also restored. Both of these buildings are important historical landmarks.
The Mill building has a gift shop and a chowder cart in the summer. It's also used by the hatchery, education, and research teams for storage and classes.
Educational Programs
The Science Center offers many educational programs for all ages. They have programs for preschoolers, school-aged children, and even adults who want to keep learning. These include:
- In-school and out-of-school programs
- Summer camps
- Internships
- Chances to do mentored research with scientists
Images for kids
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The gift shop and chowder cart at the Sitka Sawmill building.
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A scientist working at the Sitka Sound Science Center.
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A colorful painted anemone, often seen in the aquarium.
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A tube worm, one of the many fascinating creatures at the center.
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See also
- List of science centers
