Whale University
Fall 2025
Bigg's 201 - Virtual Version
Whale Book Club - Northern Residents
Drawing and Painting Orcas
Marine Mammals 101
Spring 2026 - Tentative Schedule
Bigg's 201
Bigg's 301
50 Shades of Gray Whale
Whale Book Club
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Coming Fall 2025
Whale Book Club: Northern Residents and Salmon Farms
Learn about NRKW and the unique threats they face
Drawing and Painting Orcas
In this six week course we will learn about killer whales through the use of pencils and paint
Bigg's 201 ~ A fully virtual version of our flagship class
Improve your scientific literacy through the lens of whale research
Marine Mammals 101
If you are newer to learning about marine mammals of the Salish Sea, this is the class is for you
Other classes (to be offered again in the future)
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.
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.
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.