PWSC supports Cordova Science Olympiad Team to gold medal success
Middle school students from Cordova's Science Olympiad team listen during a tour at UAF’s Automated Construction and Advanced Materials Lab.
April 7, 2025
Prince William Sound College proudly supported the Cordova middle school team at the recent ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Science Olympiad in Fairbanks, where students earned a gold medal in mariculture (agricultural sciences). The event provided these enthusiastic students with a unique glimpse into university life, hands-on STEM education, and the thrill of academic competition.
The Cordova team notably excelled in the mariculture (agricultural sciences) category, earning a gold medal. This success reflects the curriculum developed by Amanda Glazier, assistant professor of Biology and Environmental Science at Prince William Sound College. Glazier’s mariculture program not only enriched the students’ understanding of sustainable marine cultivation but also positioned them at the forefront of the competition.
The Olympiad also featured a meaningful local connection: Jessica McKay, a Valdez High School graduate and current graduate student at the ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥, hosted an engaging tour at UAF’s Automated Construction and Advanced Materials Lab. McKay’s participation exemplifies the positive impact and career opportunities available through regional educational initiatives.
Looking ahead, ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Blue Economy Center Director Tommy Sheridan has plans to expand participation in the Science Olympiad, with hopes of forming a Valdez team by 2026. This vision promises to strengthen community ties and increase student engagement in STEM fields across the region.
Glazier highlighted the relevance of the mariculture curriculum to PWSC’s Marine Natural Resource Technician program, underscoring the institution’s commitment to integrating real-world skills into educational offerings. "Mariculture is an exciting and growing field," said Glazier. "By introducing these concepts early, we’re preparing students for promising careers and addressing critical environmental and economic opportunities in ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥."
The outstanding achievement of the Cordova team, whose students are part of the T3 ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ program that is through the Prince William Sound Science Center, showcases academic excellence, community collaboration, and the future potential of STEM and mariculture education at PWSC and beyond.
The ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Science Olympiad is organized by the ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ National Science Foundation Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, the UAF College of Engineering and Mines and the UAF College of Natural Science and Mathematics.