Application deadline
8 May 2026
Final off-campus course registration date; admission and enrollment are separate steps.
In-person Program
BELL Alaska: Edge of Change: Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes
Explore environmental science through outdoor labs, changing landscapes and Alaska Native perspectives, then develop an Action Plan for your community.
Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Completing grades 10–12
Age range / Year group
Ages 16-18
Location / Region
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Cost
$7,642
Duration
12 days
Format
In-person
Environmental ScienceBiologyGeography
Accommodation: UAA residence halls; shared rooms
Meals: Three meals daily
Certificate / Outcome: Digital certificate and Course Performance Report
Campus experience: UAA lessons and regional field trips
Tutors / faculty: Emily Cooperdock; Sol Cooperdock
Main output: Community Action Plan and presentation
Residential support: On-site staff available 24 hours daily
BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes summary
Brown combines environmental science and leadership through classroom discussion, outdoor labs and cultural site visits. The course examines how natural hazards and climate change reshape landscapes and ecosystems.
You study geology, ecology, permafrost, volcanoes and glaciers, then develop a practical Action Plan for your home community. The experience suits students who enjoy outdoor learning and thoughtful group discussion.
What is BELL Alaska: Edge of Change: Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes?
BELL Alaska: Edge of Change: Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes is a Brown University Pre-College course combining environmental science with socially responsible leadership. Students investigate natural hazards, climate change and the relationships between people and ecosystems through classroom lessons and outdoor labs.
The course connects geology, ecology, plant science, volcanology and glaciology with Alaska Native perspectives. Field visits and discussion lead into a community Action Plan, developed with instructor and peer support.
Why Succeed highlights BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes
Outdoor labs and visits to glaciers and a volcano observatory connect environmental concepts with landscapes students can observe directly.
Alaska Native perspectives give cultural context to scientific discussions of environmental change.
The Action Plan turns subject exploration into a feasible project for a student's own community.
Instructor evaluation and completion credentials provide a record of engagement without formal grades.
Who is BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes for?
Best for
Students curious about environmental change who enjoy outdoor investigation, communal living and applying leadership skills to local issues.
Not ideal if
You need a flexible daily schedule, want to take another course simultaneously or prefer to avoid physically demanding outdoor activities.
Is BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes worth it?
This course is a strong fit when you want environmental science to move beyond textbook examples. Its combination of field observation, Indigenous perspectives and an Action Plan gives you several ways to connect scientific questions with community decisions.
The value depends on your comfort with shared living, outdoor exertion and a tightly coordinated group schedule. It is non-credit, and Brown does not position Pre-College as an undergraduate admissions pipeline, so judge it by the learning experience and project you could carry forward.
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A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$7,642; includes Course instruction and Action Plan workshops., University residence hall housing., Three meals per day., Entry fees to program sites., Transportation to and from site visits., Group airport transportation within the specified travel windows., Course Performance Report and digital certificate following successful completion..
Accommodation
UAA residence halls; shared rooms
Meals
Three meals daily
Provider details
Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
12 days; Anchorage, Alaska, United States.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes need?
Effort level
High daily engagement, with substantial outdoor activity.
Best started
Allow six to eight weeks before off-campus registration for application materials, then complete Canvas pre-work two weeks before arrival.
Main challenge
Sustaining energy and attention through variable weather and group activities.
Typical preparation
Draft your application essay and gather current and previous academic-year grades.
Arrange a recommendation if you choose to submit one, and allow time for English testing if required.
Use the packing guidance to prepare rain gear, layers and sturdy hiking shoes.
Think about a local issue for your Action Plan and agree on a family communication plan.
Useful if
You want to connect environmental science with practical community leadership.
What do students do on BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes?
You investigate how Earth processes and human decisions shape ecosystems through lessons, hikes and cultural visits. You then use that learning to develop and present a feasible community Action Plan.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Join arrival orientation and begin communal living with the group.
- 2
Visit the Anchorage Museum and Alaska Native Heritage Center.
- 3
Combine UAA lessons with hikes, an Alaska Volcano Observatory visit and glacier exploration.
- 4
Practice leadership through workshops, discussion and daily community responsibilities.
- 5
Develop your Action Plan with instructor and peer support.
- 6
Present your project and reflect on the course before departure.
BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Programme dates
13-24 July 2026
Applications open
14 January 2026
Brown Pre-College application opening.
Pre-departure orientation
12 April 2026
Required online session at 10 a.m. Eastern Time; a recording is provided for conflicts.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 8 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 13-24 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Applications open | 14 January 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Pre-departure orientation | 12 April 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Completing grades 10 to 12.
Ages 16 to 18 by 14 June 2026.
Strong English language proficiency.
Comfort with outdoor activity in variable weather.
Attendance throughout all program days and activities.
Introductory earth science background recommended, not required.
How much does BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes cost?
Program fee
$7,642 — 2026 residential total, including food, housing and site-entry fees.
Funding or discounts
- Application fee: $80 — Non-refundable; eligible applicants may request a waiver.
- Enrollment deposit: $500 — Non-refundable payment required before course enrollment.
- Sibley Scholarship: Need-based; amount varies — Supports qualifying admitted students; a separate application and financial documents are required.
- Conditional insurance fee: $80 — Applies to international students and U.S. students without adequate insurance coverage.
What's included
Course instruction and Action Plan workshops., University residence hall housing., Three meals per day., Entry fees to program sites., Transportation to and from site visits., Group airport transportation within the specified travel windows., Course Performance Report and digital certificate following successful completion.
How to apply to BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes
- 1
Create one applicant account through Brown's student portal.
- 2
Complete the application form and submit a 250–500-word essay.
- 3
Upload current and previous academic-year grades in English and pay the application fee or obtain a waiver.
- 4
Provide English test results if required and consider the recommendation strongly suggested for BELL applicants.
- 5
Monitor the portal for missing materials and your admissions decision.
- 6
After admission, review the course, submit the required deposit and complete separate course enrollment.
- 7
Complete student and parent forms, pre-departure orientation and Canvas pre-work.
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What does BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Earth processes and hazards
Study geology, volcanology and glaciology to understand how natural processes reshape landscapes.
Ecosystems and climate change
Connect permafrost ecosystems, ecology and plant science with environmental change.
Indigenous perspectives
Consider Alaska Native history and perspectives when examining relationships between people and nature.
Environmental leadership
Practice active listening and productive conversation while developing a feasible community Action Plan.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes?
A typical day during the program.
Site visit or lesson
Typically 9 a.m. to noon, following breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m.
Site visit, lab or lesson
Typically 2 to 5 p.m., after lunch and an hour of solo reflection.
Group activities
Typically 7 to 9 p.m., with workshops, hikes or community activities.
Residential check in
Check in at 10 p.m. local time and remain on your floor until 6 a.m.
Who teaches on BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes?
The course catalog names Emily Cooperdock and Sol Cooperdock as instructors. Students receive instructor and peer support through Action Plan workshops and project development.
Program staff also live on site and provide round-the-clock support and supervision.
Where do students stay on BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes?
Residential plan
- University residence halls: Stay at UAA with standard college furniture, wireless internet, bedding and towels.
- Three daily meals: Most meals are served in a college dining hall; others are catered or prepared together.
- Support and security: On-site staff provide 24-hour support, with secured residence halls and nightly check-ins.
- Community and activities: Participate in shared tasks, workshops and field visits while remaining with the group.
Rooms are shared with one to four peers; bathrooms may be communal or shared within suites.
What happens after BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Carry a feasible Action Plan into your home community.
Present your project and reflect on environmental leadership.
Receive a Course Performance Report after successful completion.
Receive a digital CeCertificate of Completion after successful completion.
The course is non-credit, and participation does not provide a Brown undergraduate admissions guarantee.
Where does BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes take place?
The program is based at the University of Alaska Anchorage, with course-specific visits around the region, including Matanuska Glacier and Seward. Staff meet students at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport during the designated arrival window and coordinate group travel to UAA.
Book travel after program confirmation and follow the specified airport windows; staff cannot act as the designated adult for unaccompanied minors.
BELL Alaska Edge of Change Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes FAQs
The course covers permafrost ecosystems, geology, ecology, plant science, volcanology and glaciology. It connects environmental change with Alaska Native perspectives and environmental leadership.
Introductory earth science background is recommended but not required. You should be enthusiastic about spending time outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
Students stay in University of Alaska Anchorage residence halls, sharing rooms with one to four peers. Bathrooms may be communal or shared within suites.
The program fee includes food, housing and site-entry fees. Students receive three meals per day and transportation to and from site visits.
Expect outdoor activity every day, including hikes and field visits in variable weather. Brown describes the program as physically taxing and requires disclosure of pre-existing medical conditions.
Phones must be secured and put away during lessons and activities unless needed for learning. Students have opportunities to contact family, and parents can reach the on-site director in emergencies.
Students develop and present a community Action Plan. Successful completion earns a Course Performance Report and digital CeCertificate of Completion.
Brown Pre-College courses are non-credit. Brown states that Pre-College is not a prospecting program for undergraduate admissions, although completion can demonstrate subject interest.
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Sean Stevens
Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)
Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Sibley Scholarships | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL): Alaska | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Brown Environmental Leadership Labs: Alaska | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- 2026 Program Costs: Breakdown of Fees
- BELL Alaska: Edge of Change: Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes - Pre-College Course Catalog"
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)
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Eligibility requirements reviewed
Registration deadline checked
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How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
BELL Alaska: Edge of Change: Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes
by Brown Pre-College Programs
Upcoming
May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
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