If I lived anywhere else, I wonder if I would attend a science symposium. I’m interested in scientific issues, but I don’t think it would occur to me to sit through 9 science presentations. But I live in Sitka, and Whalefest is a major community event so here I am, and have been for several years.

The heart of the festival is the science symposium with 9 presentations. The presenters are vetted for their ability to present their findings in a way understandable to guys like me. The 3 presentations that stood out were about the invasive green crab making its way to our waters that threatens the balance of our coastal eco systems, how human made noise can “blind” marine mammals who rely on echo location to hunt and how climate change effects salmon. The crosscutting theme of the symposium is how indigenous knowledge, and scientific research can work together to point to defining the problems and working out the answers. Lurking behind every discussion is the shadow of climate change.

Whalefest adds an “a” to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) to make it STEAM. The “a” is for arts. Sitik Whalefest has performing arts with a maritime them.

Last year we had a musical performance of the sonification of scientific data. This year there was a table where we could “listen” to data on rainfall presented as atmospheric music. I can’t explain it, but I love listening.

And there was an exhibit of visual arts produced by students.

There is a marketplace where different craftspeople sell their wares and educational and environmental groups have information tables.

We remembered a member of our community who is no longer with us.

There are ore educational and social activities. One of my favorites is the annual wildlife cruises, with running commentary by the scientists. And, of course the whales (and sea lions) are in attendance.