Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/31/2009 - 15:42
Forums
Geologic Climate Research in Siberia

Hi Tim,

I had asked about this before, but I think the distance swallowed the post! I was wondering about the aspirations of the students at the Pevek school that you visited. You were impressed by their education and the facilities. What happens for them when they finish high school? Do most of the towns children leave or stay when they grow up? What is the economic base for the town and are there opportunities for the young people?

Thanks!

Sarah Hanawald

Thu, 04/02/2009 - 09:11

Tim Martin

Sarah,
Excellent questions... I did not get to talk to many students since school was not in session... I can speak a little to your questions from the folks I have talked to...
Pevek is the 2nd largest town/city in Chukotka (the NE most province of Russia) It used to have a population of more than 20,000 now the population is down to around 3,500. That give you an idea as to how many people are staying in town. There are not a lot of opportunities... for young or old...so many who go off to university do not return to stay. Yet the town is very important... There is a huge mining industry in the area. Precious metals have been mined in this region for many years... this will likely continue well into the future. Of course we all wonder if Pevek may see growth in the future as it is the Northern most port in the country... as more and more sea ice melts, the port will be open for longer periods of time. Climate warming may mean more development in this part of the world.
On my trip back home, I may try and stop in the school one more time... It would be interesting to hear what more of the young people have to say.