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Building geothermal partnerships in Unalaska

July 31, 2026

Through a new ACEP summer research fellowship, an Unalaska science teacher is using a local volcano to help students learn about geothermal energy and explore how the community could benefit from one of its own natural resources.

Melissa Kagle teaches science at Unalaska City High School and participates in the Murdock Partners in Science @ University of ����Ӱ�� program. It pairs middle and high school science teachers in ����Ӱ�� with UA research mentors for two consecutive summers of paid research.

As Kagle’s research mentor, ACEP’s Magnus de Witt recently traveled to Unalaska to meet with her in person, discuss the next phase of the project and strengthen a growing partnership with local educators while exploring new opportunities for geothermal research, education and community engagement.

“Meeting face-to-face with Melissa was invaluable for building a stronger working relationship and ensuring that future efforts remain closely aligned with project priorities,” de Witt said.

Kagle’s project focuses on Makushin Volcano, an ice-covered stratovolcano on Unalaska Island. Stratovolcanoes are steep, cone-shaped volcanoes built from alternating layers of lava and volcanic rock. Together, she and de Witt are developing culturally relevant activities that enable students to map accessible geothermal features while collecting valuable field data. The activities could eventually be expanded into a ����Ӱ�� course for local high school students and community members.

“Getting the opportunity to work with Magnus really enhanced my ability to teach students about the volcanic landscape here and how the Makushin geothermal energy project could take advantage of this local resource,” Kagle said.

The educational activities also contribute to a broader effort to increase community understanding of geothermal energy and support workforce development led by the Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska. To support those efforts, Kagle and de Witt met with local experts, including a naturalist, archaeologist, linguist and mountaineer, to learn from their deep knowledge of the Aleutians, Unangan perspectives on the volcanic landscape and traditional uses of geothermal features.

During the visit, de Witt also gave a public presentation at the on geothermal energy, explaining its basic principles, current applications and potential to support resilient, sustainable energy systems in ����Ӱ��.

“I was pleasantly surprised to see the large turnout,” de Witt said. “The number of attendees and their thoughtful questions demonstrated a genuine local interest in geothermal energy and its potential for the Aleutian region.”

Beyond the planned meetings and public presentation, the visit sparked conversations about future research and education initiatives aimed at addressing local energy needs and challenges. Those discussions reinforced existing partnerships while opening the door to new collaborations.

“The enthusiasm shown throughout the trip underscores the importance of continued collaboration and community engagement as we work together to explore sustainable energy opportunities for ����Ӱ��’s remote communities,” he said.