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2013 Autumn | Agriculture and Food Systems, Education & Outreach, Natural Science & Restoration, Sustainability

Blue King Crabs: A case study in effective science education

Student(s):

Alexandra Doty

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Jan Armstrong

Partner(s):

  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

  • UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences

Faculty advisor(s):

Samantha Dolan, College of Education, University of Washington

Blue king crabs were an economically important fishery in Alaska until the mid-1980s when the populations crashed, and the fishery was declared overfished. Blue king crabs live in isolated patches throughout the Bering sea and the Gulf of Alaska. Since the closure of the fishery, the populations have not recovered. It is essential that students are given the opportunity to learn about critical species such as the blue king crab. In the current era of standardization in education, it is vital that students are able to connect with and understand what they are learning. Through impactful science education, students are able to re-engage with the material and will become thoughtful, passionate citizens of the future.