Whale University
Tentative Class Schedule
Spring 2027
Fall 2027
.svg){kind=small}
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.
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
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 delve into sightings data for extended family groups, looking for similarities and differences in Salish Sea habitat usage of related matrilines. The class includes a series of on the water excursions and a final in-person presentation day.
In this 4 month fully virtual course, 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 and let you explore real-world sightings data to create graphs and maps as you follow a specific Bigg’s family group. This class culminates with a virtual presentation where you can practice what you’ve learned about how to communicate science effectively.
Through a progressive exploration of three books over the course of three months, participants will read and discuss a series of literary works, participate in “watch parties” of chosen films and movies, and join in author/guest speaker Q&As and presentations to learn more about Northern Resident killer whales and the unique threats they face.
A solitary sociable is a whale that lives apart from its own species and seeks out contact with humans. These instances, while rare, raise important moral questions about our relationship to the natural world. Are our interactions with these animals shaped by what's truly best for them, or are our choices clouded by what is actually best for us? Through the compelling stories of Springer, Luna, and Keiko, who were all solitary sociable orcas in very different circumstances, we will explore these complex themes over the course of three months. With guest speakers, movie watch parties, and optional creative assignments, this is not your typical book club!
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.
Come "take a breath" with OBI. We will provide weekly whale-related creative prompts that invite you to explore right-brained activities including art, photography, writing, exploring, building, and more. Some of these might be right in your wheelhouse while others might challenge you to try something new, but creativity is the antithesis to anxiety. These activities are meant to give your brain a break from the "real world" and a chance to CONNECT with like-minded people, CREATE something new, and COPE with the chaos.
In this six week course we will learn about killer whales through the use of pencils and paint. Learn how to draw and watercolor killer whales as we work through familiarizing ourselves with their form and drawing them from different angles. Our final two classes will put everything we learned together into a final compositional piece.
Join us for a 14-week course that will deepen your appreciation and understanding of gray whales from their feeding grounds in Arctic waters to their Mexico breeding lagoons. Through a combination of virtual lectures from gray whale experts, group discussions, and field trips, you will learn about their unique natural history and population dynamics, including topic such as the impacts of climate change, friendly whales, subsistence whaling, the recent Unusual Mortality Event, unique wandering whales, and more. Practice reading and understanding scientific papers, learn how to draw gray whales, and for those able to join locally, have the opportunity to see the Sounders gray whales both from shore and on the water.
If you are newer to learning about marine mammals, this is the class is for you. Over the course of 6 weeks you will get introductory lectures from experts on the species frequent the Salish Sea: Southern Resident and Bigg’s killer whales, humpback whales, gray whales, minke whales, porpoises, and seals and sea lions. This is a perfect way to start your journey towards a deeper appreciation for the species we share our marine environment with.
Come spend a weekend on San Juan Island to celebrate OBI's anniversary! This event includes 3 nights camping at San Juan County Park, an all-day whale-watch excursion with Maya's Legacy, an interactive live-taping of the After the Breach podcast, exclusive OBI swag, whale trivia night, and more.
