Prince William Sound Science Center

Prince William Sound Science Center The Prince William Sound Science Center: informing, enriching and connecting our communities through local investments in people, science and education.

The Prince William Sound Science Center envisions communities that maintain socioeconomic resilience among healthy ecosystems. There are two outcomes inherent in our vision. The first is socio-economically resilient communities: This outcome requires the region to support the livelihoods of its citizens. The second outcome is healthy ecosystems: This outcome requires users of the region’s ecosystems to steward renewable resources with consideration for natural cycles and systemic change

There is a myriad of colors to discover in the forest if you look closely. How many can you find? Collect photos of fung...
09/16/2026

There is a myriad of colors to discover in the forest if you look closely. How many can you find? Collect photos of fungus that illustrate the rainbow . Once you have found all seven colors of fungus, bring your photo collection and this game sheet to the Science Center during business hours to claim your prize! Everyone who completes the challenge will get a fungus pin. The first person to complete the challenge gets a special prize. You can get your game sheet at PWSSC or print this one!
Happy Fungus Fest!

Tuesday Night Talk | 09/15/2026 | 5:30 to 6:30 pm AKDTANTARCTIC ANTICS: PRESSES, PULSES, AND LIFE AT THE ICE EDGEABBY TO...
09/15/2026

Tuesday Night Talk | 09/15/2026 | 5:30 to 6:30 pm AKDT

ANTARCTIC ANTICS: PRESSES, PULSES, AND LIFE AT THE ICE EDGE

ABBY TOMITA (PALMER STATION)
Join us for a brief history of the Palmer Station Long-Term Ecological Research project, a monitoring program that spans over three decades, and a glimpse into the life of a scientist living and working at an Antarctic research station.

We are proud to partner with the Cordova Fungus Festival! Fungus Festival starts next week and we are here to provide ex...
09/11/2026

We are proud to partner with the Cordova Fungus Festival! Fungus Festival starts next week and we are here to provide exploration opportunities for both young and old. While some of these activities are designed for children, everybody is welcome, no matter your age.

Sea Squirts - Mini Mycologists: September 14th, 10-11 am and 2:30-3:30 pm
We will explore what makes a fungus a fungus. Kids will dissect mushrooms, practice fine motor skills with mushroom stacking, paint with mushroom tops, and play in a mushroom sensory bin.
The program is designed for kids ages 3 - 5.

Rainbow Mushroom Challenge: September 16-21st.
There is a myriad of colors to discover in the forest if you look closely. How many can you find? Collect photos of fungus that illustrate the rainbow. Once you have found all seven colors of fungus, bring your photo collection and the game sheet to the Science Center during business hours to claim your prize!

Children’s Mushroom Foray: September 17th from 4-5 pm
Join PWSSC for a mushroom walk specifically designed for mini-mycologists. This mushroom foray will meet at Crater Lake Trailhead. Children will learn the basics of what makes a fungus a fungus, how to identify common mushrooms, and tips for being good mushroom stewards.

Discover Cordova-Fungus Among Us: September 18th from 3:30-5 pm
Join us for this special fungus-themed Discovery Cordova. We will host fungus games and learning at Nirvana Park, targeted at children pre-K through elementary. We will enjoy some fungus dissection, arts and crafts, a mushroom hunt, and more!

Nature Journaling - Forest Finds: September 19th from 10-11:30
Join The Prince William Sound Science Center and The Netloft for a free Nature Journaling session at Nirvana Park. This will be an introduction to Nature Journaling for all Fungus Festival Nature Journaling needs. Learn how to get started journaling your forest finds, learn about the fungus anatomy, practice new nature journaling techniques, and more!

This year, we are growing four different species of kelp in our hatchery:Photo 1 🌿 Sugar kelp Photo 2🌿 Bull kelp Photo 3...
09/10/2026

This year, we are growing four different species of kelp in our hatchery:
Photo 1 🌿 Sugar kelp
Photo 2🌿 Bull kelp
Photo 3🌿 Ribbon kelp
Photo 4🌿 Three-ribbed kelp

Each species grows a little differently and serves a unique role in Alaska’s coastal ecosystems. Monitoring their development helps ensure healthy seed stock before lines are transferred to farms later this fall. So far, all four species are showing encouraging signs of growth!

Stay tuned all month long as we share more kelp hatchery updates.

Sea Squirts - Mini Mycologists: September 14th, 10-11 am and 2:30-3:30 pmJoin us for preschool fun! We will explore what...
09/09/2026

Sea Squirts - Mini Mycologists: September 14th, 10-11 am and 2:30-3:30 pm
Join us for preschool fun! We will explore what makes a fungus a fungus. Kids will dissect mushrooms, practice fine motor skills with mushroom stacking, paint with mushroom tops, and play in a mushroom sensory bin.
Sea Squirts is a free monthly preschool program that will get your tot thinking like a scientist. The program is designed for kids ages 3 - 5. Each session starts with a story and then leads into discovery stations for you and your child to do together.

We have a morning session and an afternoon session. Pick the one that works best for your family.

Tuesday Night Talk | 09/08/2026 | 5:30 to 6:30 pm AKDTMāORI CULTURE AND SEALIFE CONCERNS IN NEW ZEALANDEMERYL REDWINEEme...
09/08/2026

Tuesday Night Talk | 09/08/2026 | 5:30 to 6:30 pm AKDT

MāORI CULTURE AND SEALIFE CONCERNS IN NEW ZEALAND

EMERYL REDWINE
Emeryl Redwine will share their personal exploration of the rich traditions of Māori culture and examine the lasting effects of English colonization on both the Māori people and New Zealand's environment. By looking at historical events and their modern consequences, the presentation will show how these influences shaped the society and urban landscapes seen today. It will also discuss current efforts to preserve Māori heritage, restore damaged ecosystems, and celebrate New Zealand's unique cultural identity through architecture, cuisine, and tourism.

Kelp Hatchery Update 🌱Our gametophytes (or baby kelp) have now spent about 2–3 weeks in the hatchery, and early growth i...
09/07/2026

Kelp Hatchery Update 🌱

Our gametophytes (or baby kelp) have now spent about 2–3 weeks in the hatchery, and early growth is looking promising. Recent microscope checks show healthy development across all species, with young kelp growing right on schedule.
While these plants may still be microscopic, growth tends to accelerate quickly from here. Over the coming weeks, these tiny kelp will continue developing before they are transferred to ocean farms this fall.
Stay tuned for more hatchery updates as we get closer to outplanting season!

Max was a steward in our Copper River Stewardship Program this summer. As a returning steward, he taught his peers how t...
09/04/2026

Max was a steward in our Copper River Stewardship Program this summer. As a returning steward, he taught his peers how to identify invasive weeds and led them in a service project. After the trip he created this handy zine to help others identify and remove invasive Orange Hawkweed in Cordova. Great job Max!

Every summer, thousands of tufted puffins gather at breeding colonies across Alaska. But once the breeding season ends, ...
09/03/2026

Every summer, thousands of tufted puffins gather at breeding colonies across Alaska. But once the breeding season ends, where do they go?

To solve this mystery, researchers from the Prince William Sound Science Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks fitted adult tufted puffins on Middleton Island with small light-sensitive tracking devices attached to leg bands to give us insight into their migration habits.

Middleton Island’s tufted puffins are relatively short-distance travelers. Most birds spent the winter about 615 kilometers (382 miles) from their breeding colony, remaining primarily in the deep offshore waters of the Gulf of Alaska and the northeastern Pacific.

That discovery inspired the outreach graphic accompanying this article. In the illustration, the puffins discuss their favorite winter “vacation” spots just as people might compare travel plans with friends. While the birds aren’t actually booking resorts, the graphic highlights a key finding from the study: many tufted puffins spend the winter rafting together far offshore in the Gulf of Alaska and the northeastern Pacific.

Visit our website to find out more information and learn why this work matters: https://pwssc.org/tufted-puffin-winter-vacation-migration/

This research was funded by the North Pacific Research Board.

Last week we initiated our FIRST Jr. Scientists! Do you know which plankton can photosynthesize? Can you count kelp spor...
09/02/2026

Last week we initiated our FIRST Jr. Scientists!
Do you know which plankton can photosynthesize? Can you count kelp spores in a microscope? What would you pack if you were going out on the Prince William Sound to collect data? Experience some of the work our scientists do with the new Jr. Scientist Activity Book. Complete the booklet and you too can have the distinguished honor of being a Jr. Scientist.

This free activity book has something to entertain all ages, along with tidbits of knowledge from our scientists. Complete the workbook, and you can claim a coveted Jr. Scientist badge.
To get your booklet visit the Science Center or print one from our website. Bring your completed booklet to the Science Center's front desk to claim your badge.

Pictured here are our two Jr. Scientists with our badge designer, Emeryl Redwine.

Address

700 New England Cannery Road
Cordova, AK
99574

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19074245800

Website

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