Experiencing reciprocal energy at the Galena STEAM Fest
Hailey Hodgins, right, works with students, capturing weather sensor data using software-defined radios. Those radio receivers interface with a computer to decode signals digitally.
April 25, 2025
By Yuri Bult-Ito
ACEP members traveled this month to Galena, a community of about 500 residents on the north bank of the Yukon River in interior Alaska, to share the Teaching Through Technologies, or T3, concept and learning opportunities.
The Galena STEAM Fest included a ribbon-cutting ceremony which showcased the technology and resources of the new Galena Makerspace — a communal place where people with shared interests can work on technology and computing projects, as well as a session on growth mindset and several hands-on learning activities. The event attracted nearly 40 community members and students.
䷡’s George Reising, who is the ’s lead curriculum designer, shared about the program, which focuses on developing technical skills that can be applied to real community challenges. He spoke of how the program empowers students to become future leaders and problem-solvers through a growth mindset — a view that one can improve with effort and commitment — and the connections they make with their community’s needs.
Students participate in the worm design challenge by using their Raspberry Pi computers, computer-aided design software and 3D printer.
The attendees learned about community connections firsthand from Tim Kalke, the general manager of , which partners with ACEP on a hydrokinetic energy project. Kalke shared about the innovations happening in Galena and how students could get involved.
Participants explored a wide range of technologies during hands-on demonstrations, many of which were provided by ACEP members.
In addition to a Raspberry Pi project that Reising led, Petie Deveer worked with students on a 3D-printing activity, Addie Norgaard showcased a selfie station with MakerCAM — a web-based computer-aided manufacturing program, Hailey Hodgins and Christi Buffington of the UAF demonstrated weather station tools.
Over the course of the four days, participants transformed the information they absorbed into their own creative process of learning. They brainstormed culturally relevant applications of what they were learning, leading to a discussion on how weather sensor data could help determine the best conditions for drying fish or meat in their own community. They also created a weather sensor scavenger hunt, using technical skills and scientific reasoning acquired during the event.
George Reising introduces students to coding on their Raspberry Pi computers.
“The energy we felt from the students, families and community members was contagious,” Reising said. “Their curiosity and eagerness to learn through the T3 appactivities gave us renewed enthusiasm for continuing our efforts.”
The Galena STEAM Fest was hosted by Galena T3 Alaska, which is led by T3 coaches Emily Lester and Will Kramer.