A Morrisville professor took a trip to Alaska for the chance to help create a virtual tour for the ATEEC (Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center) Fellows Institute last summer.

ATEEC Fellows Institute, a program that works with high school teachers and two- year college professors, held a program in June offering teachers a chance to work on a virtual field trip.

Once they arrived on June 16, they were divided into smaller groups to learn about the topic their group was assigned to, said Aquaculture Professor Laurie Trotta. Trotta’s group was to learn more about oil refining and energy in Fairbanks and Valdez, Alaska. Her group visited the oil refinery as well as the hydropower plant to see the process firsthand. They were also given the opportunity to interview the operators, engineers, chemists, and the scientists to better understand not only oil refining and energy, but Alaska’s present state from the oil spill in 1989, Trotta said.

"The effects are still present today," Trotta said.  "Underneath you can still find some oil and the fish have not come back yet."

Alaska still does not have the funds to get the environment back to its original state that is necessary to keep track of the species still there. More work for fishery is taking place than they have researchers on raising sea cucumbers and king crabs, Trotta said.

Trotta said that while there, she learned more than she ever expected. A lot of testing went on for numerous divisions but she only covered energy and oil refining. The oil and energy really impacts the state and people depend on those industries greatly, Trotta said.

The trip was supposed to only last for two weeks but Trotta extended her stay until July 11. During this time she spent most of her time in the Kenai Peninsula staying at Seward, Cooper Landing and Homer, meeting the locals or as Trotta said, "artists and hippies."

Trotta said it was primetime for sight-seeing at Anchorage, Willow and Lake Creek. She saw icebergs, went on fishing trips, visited local beaches and tidal pools. She saw sea lions, otters, whales, moose, and bears—and photographed them all. She described her experience as to have "seen it, felt it, and lived it."

With all the knowledge acquired and knowing more about the technology in Alaska, Trotta said she can further talk about it in her classes.

She said she has hopes that her students and Outdoor Recreation Club members will be able to make their own virtual field trips.

Trotta’s club members are even planning a big trip to Alaska for May or June 2009. Trotta said the members want to take a wildlife cruise, visit the national parks, and see the glaciers.