Whale University
The first official program under the Whale University umbrella is Bigg’s 201, an intermediate level adult whale research experience running from January to May 2024. You can learn more about the class here and get on the early notification list for the next open registration.
Over time, we plan to expand our class offerings, starting with the two below. Please fill out this form to express your interest and be among the first to know when these classes will go live!
Sign up to be on our early notification list for when classes open for registration
The Art and Science of Southern Residents
This 2 month class will involve weekly virtual sessions focused on creating a deeper understanding of the Southern Resident killer whales by exploring their stories through both art and science. Students will read and discuss some of the key scientific publications documenting the plight of the Southern Residents and will learn about identification, individuality, and family connections through several art lessons. No need to be a scientist or an artist to apply! This class is for anyone who wants to build a stronger connection to the Southern Residents. The class will culminate with an optional in-person field trip to connect with one another face to face and explore the Salish Sea ecosystem the Southern Residents rely on.
Bigg's 201
In this 4.5 month course combining virtual lectures and in-person field trips, you will work with whale biologist Monika Wieland Shields of the Orca Behavior Institute to improve your scientific literacy by doing a deep dive to learn more about Bigg’s killer whales of the Salish Sea. Regardless of your background, this class will help you practice reading and understanding scientific papers, give you a chance to try collecting whale behavioral data in the field, and let you explore real-world sightings data to create graphs and maps as you follow a specific Bigg’s family group.
Bigg's 301
Students have loved the Bigg's 201 experience so much that the class has left them wanting more! For those who have completed Bigg's 201 (or the Bigg's STaRS class), we will be offering an advanced science class that will delve even further into the world of whale research. Bigg's 301 will involve more scientific paper discussions giving a broader overview of research topics including acoustics, toxins, and predation and will also include an advanced ID workshop. Students will work either alone or in pairs to delve into sightings data for extended family groups, looking for similarities and differences in Salish Sea habitat usage of related matrilines. The class will culminate with back-to-back presentation days and boat trips.
Whale Book Club
This 9-week virtual course is designed to take participants back to a time before humans began any scientific inquiry on the orca populations that currently occupy the Salish Sea. Through a progressive exploration, participants will read and discuss a series of literary works, participate in “watch parties” of chosen films and movies, and join in author Q&As and presentations that define early attitudes and assumptions towards killer whales, along with the birth of orca research that began here in British Columbia and Washington State. This course concludes with a Saturday excursion to historic Penn Cove, along with a whale watch tour to experience the beauty of the Salish Sea and potentially encounter killer whales.