Orca Science for Youth
Schools and youth groups from the Olympic Peninsula have already taken part in many of of our Orca Project activities. One way teachers and group leaders can get their students involved is to bring them for our education programs on orcas and other marine mammals.

	Underwater Sound and Orca Communities Through several experiential activities, students will explore underwater sound and orca communities. Activities explore how orcas communicate and work together in family groups, and how these groups relate to what they eat and where they live. Students learn how scientists use sound to study marine mammals, including our local endangered orca population, at a research station located right in the PTMSC classroom.  Grades 4-8 Class length: 90 minutes
	The Gray Whale Gray whales are frequent visitors to our area. In this class students assemble the complete skeleton of a young gray whale and learn about the life of this whale and its adaptations to life in the ocean. Older students reflect on functional anatomy and relate the skeletal structure to the animal’s muscular attachments and movements. Students become aware of the natural history of the gray whale, its feeding behavior, how it cares for its young, and its annual migration north and south along our coast. Grades 4-12 Class length: 90 minutes
	Marine Mammal Comparative Anatomy Students examine a human skeleton and work together in small groups to assemble skeletons of a bottlenose dolphin, a harbor seal and a gray whale. They compare and contrast common structures of all species and discuss ways that each animal’s skeleton reflects how the animals moves, feeds, senses its environment and communicates. Students develop an awareness of the diversity of paths marine mammals have taken in adapting to life in the ocean Grades 8-12 Class length: 90 minutes

For program pricing and for information about arranging a program at PTMSC follow the links above or go to our Education Program Menu page.