As of September, students at Coast Mountain College have been gaining hands-on experience with a new mobile marine classroom.
The new boat, named Na Malsga Aks, serves students as a mobile classroom, complete with the latest technology for field studies off the Prince Rupert coast. Indigenous Elders and the college collaborated to name the vessel. Na Malsga Aks means “the story the water tells” in the Laxyuubm Ts’msyen language.
The combined classroom and fieldwork experience on the boat prepares students for careers in sustainability, ecology, and fish and wildlife conservation. The technical skills students learn in the program are in demand for more than 111,000 anticipated job openings in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) expected in B.C. by 2031.
“The mobile marine classroom gives students the opportunity to practise coastal natural resources management, ecosystem restoration and environmental monitoring with the tools and technology they will be using once they enter the workforce,” says Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and MLA for North Coast. “As alumnus of the applied coastal ecology program, it’s fantastic to see how the program has evolved over time to keep up with the latest technology used in the natural resource sector. The mobile marine classroom is an important tool for carrying out the necessary work in protecting and monitoring this important coastal environment and training the future stewards of the north coast region.”
The B.C. government provided $250,000 to Coast Mountain College to purchase a new 7.6-metre (27 foot), 12-passenger, aluminum-hulled boat to serve students and staff in the college’s applied coastal ecology program. The funding was also used to purchase the following parts and equipment:
- crane and winch for lowering and towing equipment
- side-scan sonar
- single-beam echo sounder
- laptop for remotely operated vehicle control
- lifeline, first-aid kit, safety vests, inflatable boat, line puller and handheld radio
- underwater cameras
- underwater wi-fi extension line
- air drones
- plankton troll nets
“We are delighted to have this new marine classroom. This has allowed us to expand our
unique science programs using the latest marine technology,” says Dr. Titi Kunkel, acting vice-president, academic, students and international, Coast Mountain College. “With the grant, we now have a new boat fitted with state-of-the-art technology to provide learners with skills required for careers in environmental and coastal marine science.”
Investing in programs such as Coast Mountain College’s applied coastal ecology program is part of StrongerBC’s Future Ready Plan. Future Ready is making education and training more accessible, affordable, and relevant to help businesses grow and to prepare British Columbians for the jobs of tomorrow.
“Getting out on the water not only showcases learning outcomes taught in the classroom but also enhances student skills needed within field-based careers,” says Kyla MacIlroy, a graduate of the Coast Mountain College Applied Coastal Ecology Program graduate. “It connects students to various aquatic ecosystems and gives insight into what a future career might hold when working in environmental positions. I am very excited for this new addition to Coast Mountain College and can’t wait to see what new and exciting things students will experience.”
