Whale Trust's School Programs
Whale Trust is committed to inspiring the next generation to get excited about protecting the oceans by providing them with first-hand opportunities to learn about whales and the ocean environment.
Whale Trust in the Schools in 2008
Each winter, Whale Trust invites local elementary and Jr. High schools to participate in an ongoing education program designed for Maui schools, which involves an in-school program by Whale Trust staff (Meagan Jones and Renee Weber) and a subsequent field trip to the annual Whale Quest Kapalua event. This year, 4th-8th grade classrooms from King Kamehemaha III, Sacred Hearts and Maui Preparatory Academy participated.
Signed Flip Nicklin Humpback Whale Photographs
Donated to Local Schools
Two 40 x 60 humpback whale photographs taken and signed by National Geographic photographer and Whale Trust co-founder, Flip Nicklin, were donated to local West Maui schools this winter. The signed original photographs were given away as part of our ongoing outreach program to Maui’s schools and as part of Whale Quest Kapalua. Flip Nicklin and Meagan Jones were on hand to present the photographs to the Principal and Vice Principal of these lucky schools, while students oohed and ahhed from across the campus.
Over 150 students attend 2008 Whale Quest Kapalua for a special program on the oceans, whales and how scientists are learning more about them
On Friday, February 15th, 2008 over 150 students from 7 different elementary and Jr. high classrooms visited the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua for a day of art, science and discovery. For three hours, students rotated through a number of activities led by Whale Quest Kapalua presenters. Some of the presenters from this year included Flip Nicklin and Paul Nicklen (National Geographic photographers), Greg Marshall (inventor of National Geographic’s Crittercam), Jim Darling (whale researcher), Sherri Reeve (artist), Ed Lyman (HIHWNMS), Sue Flood (BBC filmmaker), Jason Sturgis (cinematographer), and Alison Stimpert (whale researcher).
Based on thank you letters from the students, some favorites included painting life-sized whale tails, balancing on a surfboard (resting on a ball) while trying to place a suction-cup radio-tag on a make believe whale, and creating whale sounds using balloons.
First Graders in Dallas, Texas Match Humpback Whale Tails from Alaska and Hawaii
On a recent trip to Dallas, Texas, Harrison Kashata, a first grader and avid whale enthusiast from Hyer Elementary School, invited Meagan Jones, Whale Trust Executive Director, to visit his classroom. Harrison has been following whales and Whale Trust since before he could read and knew practically every answer to Meagan’s questions about whales before she could even ask! After a brief introduction to whales, the first grade students helped Meagan to find humpback whales sighted in both Hawaii and Alaska using natural markings on the whale’s tails. The Dallas classroom is now busy naming each of the whales they identified for Whale Trust. Way to go Hyer Elementary!
Whales are for College Students, too!
Whale Trust Executive Director, Meagan Jones, joined marine biology students from across the Hawaiian Islands for the 25th annual Marine Options Symposium at Maui Community College on April 19th, 2008. As the keynote speaker, Meagan shared some of the latest research from Whale Trust, but also got to learn more about the diversity of ocean related research happening throughout the state by our local college students.
Check back this fall to learn about our upcoming school programs in 2009
Jason Project Online Expedition:
Why do humpback whales sing?
Amongst other projects, the Whale Trust team recently collaborated with the Jason Project, National Geographic Society and NOAA to bring their research to hundreds of classrooms nationwide.
Online Whale Expedition with Elliott Point Elementary School,
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
In 2005, Whale Trust Researchers took elementary school teacher, Mrs. Anita High, along on an adventure to see what it is like to study humpback whales off the coast of Maui, Hawaii. During the 3-day expedition, Whale Trust researchers teamed up with the Emerald Coast Science Center to bring Elliott Point Elementary Students along for the ride.
During the 3-day journey, students learned how Whale Trust researchers study humpback whale song through daily updates from the field, which included background on the daily research objectives and methods as well as slideshows and videos of the day?s work. Each day, the Whale Trust team answered the many questions that the students had about whales.
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