Two Edmond educators have absorbed nature's wonders in Alaska and hope to bring the experience back to their students.

Stephanie Tester, a seventh-grade science teacher at Cimarron Middle School, and Sarah Hallmark, a media specialist at Sunset Elementary School, took a cruise to Alaska last month. But it was far from a tourist experience.

They joined other teachers in learning about science, wildlife and the effect climate change may be having on the environment.

It was made possible by an organization called Fund for Teachers, which helps to empower teachers with learning experiences. Since 2001, about 7,500 teachers have received such grants, totaling $27.5 million.

Getting the grant wasn't easy, Tester said.

"We had to fill out 20 pages of paperwork and have it all to them by January," she said.

"It took us about 30 hours."

In April, they received the news that they had qualified for $10,000 grants.

They made the trip north to Vancouver, and then off they went on a ship to take in once-in-a lifetime sights.

Among those were whales.

"Yes, we actually saw whales, lots of whales," Tester said.

Alaska's majestic mountains and glaciers also greeted them.

"Just to explore and see whales, bears and sea lions was a unique experience and made me realize that I may be missing out on other experiences in the world," Hallmark said.

They attended scientist Steve Spangler's Science at Sea program and learned strategies to incorporate STEM-based science investigations in the classroom. There were lectures and PowerPoint demonstrations.

"It was like being back in college," Hallmark said. "We were probably in class for 20 hours."

The ship went past the Alaskan capital of Juneau and Ketchikan on the southeastern coast of the state. They viewed totem poles and learned about native peoples.

Hallmark is pondering how she will bring her experience back to Sunset Elementary students.

"I plan on having a storyboard at the library and featuring all kinds of pictures," she said.

What was something about the North she hadn't realized before venturing to the Land of the Midnight Sun?

"Glaciers are only glaciers are long as they're moving," she said. "If they stop moving, they become an ice field."
