PoE Senior Anna Frank works with CCASE
Anna Frank is a Senior studying American Indian Studies and Environmental Studies. Read about how she’s working with the Cascadia Culture and GeoScience Exchange (CCASE) program to supplement her studies!
Through the Cascadia Culture and GeoScience Exchange (CCASE), I am participating in a place-based learning program that connects earth science education with Indigenous culture and community engagement. Originally founded as the Riverways STEM ASB program, CCASE partners with rural and tribal schools along the Washington coast that face heightened risks from Cascadia subduction zone earthquakes and tsunamis. The program’s mission is to teach high school students about local natural hazards through hands-on, experiential learning while centering Indigenous knowledge, history, and relationships to the land. By integrating geoscience with cultural context, CCASE emphasizes community-driven learning that values Indigenous knowledge systems alongside Western science.
As part of this program, I will travel to Neah Bay, Washington over spring break to continue working with students at Neah Bay High School. This spring trip builds on a fall visit, where we first connected with students, educators, and community members and introduced lessons on earthquakes, tsunamis, and coastal hazards. In addition to explaining the science behind these events, we will take a proactive approach by teaching safety precautions, preparedness strategies, and community response practices that can reduce risk during natural disasters. Alongside other UW students, I will teach earth science concepts, mentor high school students interested in college, and share our experiences as UW students while emphasizing the importance of preparedness and resilience.
This ongoing exchange aligns closely with my interests in environmental education, justice, and culturally grounded learning. By returning to Neah Bay and sustaining these relationships beyond a single visit, the Culture and GeoScience Exchange fosters mutual learning and long-term collaboration between UW students and the Makah community. Through education, mentorship, and the sharing of both scientific and traditional knowledge, this program supports coastal youth leadership while promoting proactive, community-centered approaches to environmental safety and resilience.
