TTCD is funded by the Alaska Native Education Program (ANEP) to develop and deliver year-round, place-based educational programs that are culturally relevant for Tebughna School students in Tyonek, AK.
This curriculum is intended to increase STEM-aptitude and interest or participation in STEM careers or post-secondary education among students. See our Educational Resources page for the complete set of lesson plans.
Each year, TTCD staff partners with ADFG to install an annual Salmon-in-the-Classroom project, making it a key component of the STEM curriculum. Students reared a batch of salmon fry over the winter, getting a hands-on perspective of the salmon lifecycle, habitat and conservation concerns. In May 2024, with a permit from ADFG, salmon fry raised in Tyonek were released into Cheney Lake.
These lessons are focused on increasing positive attitudes toward STEM education and careers with the goal that Tyonek students will fulfill conservation jobs within TTCD and beyond.
TTCD employs youth interns in the Tyonek Garden during the growing season! Youth interns are involved in all aspects of the garden operations from soil health management, production, weed mitigation, harvest, food safety, packaging, marketing, and sales. Student interns work flexible schedules (18 hours/week) during the summer months to prevent conflict with traditional subsistence practices. The internships are opportunities for students to build and apply STEM related skills related to biology, chemistry and math. Interns are encouraged to return in subsequent years to build on skillset and begin teaching newer employees.
If you are a youth living in Tyonek over the summer and are interested in an internship at the Tyonek Garden, contact Cayley Eller at [email protected]
Other youth employment opportunities are available on a variety of natural resource management projects. Youth Conservation Technicians work alongside scientists and biologists and assist in temperature and stream flow data collection, minnow trapping and invasive species eradication. The diverse topics interns are exposed to provide real-life opportunities to build and apply STEM skills related to biology, chemistry and math.
If you are a youth living in Tyonek over the summer and are interested in a Youth Conservation internship, contact Nicole Swenson at [email protected]
Follow us on social media for additional project-specific opportunities.
