School Programs
Imagine a classroom transformed into a vibrant marine exploration hub, where students connect with real whale bones, marine mammal artifacts, and the inspiring mission of Save the Whales. Our interactive, hands-on program, led by passionate marine biologists, brings the wonders of the ocean directly to schools, empowering the next generation of ocean protectors. Focused on reaching culturally diverse and underserved communities, we teach students about marine life and the urgent need for conservation, inspiring them to take action to safeguard the future of our oceans.
Children hold the power to shape the future of our planet. By fostering a deep connection to marine life and an understanding of their vital role in protecting ecosystems, Save the Whales equips young minds to make informed, impactful choices. Through education and inspiration, we plant the seeds of environmental stewardship, ensuring that the next generation can create a healthier, more sustainable world for all.
Onsite School Programs
Save the Whales offers dynamic, in-person programs to schools in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties. We bring marine science to life through classroom visits, hands-on activities, field trips, and outreach events. Our programs inspire participants of all ages to learn more about the ocean environment and how they can help preserve and protect its inhabitants.
Save the Whales’ experienced educators bring marine science to the classroom with one-of-a-kind artifacts, models, and student engagement. Programs are tailored for different age groups and audiences with an emphasis on the connections between humans and the marine habitat. Students not only learn about marine life, but they understand their vital role in protecting the marine ecosystem. Our programs empower students to create their own activities and actions that support healthy oceans. Through education and inspiration, we plant the seeds of environmental stewardship, ensuring that the next generation can create a healthier, more sustainable world for all.
The Land & Sea Watershed Model
Learn how human actions on land affect ocean health when pollutants flow directly to the sea through storm drains. Students use a hands-on model to simulate real life scenarios and understand how one person can make a difference.
Grades 3 - Adult
Whale of a Rhythm Program (WOARP)
Explore the rhythms of the ocean as students learn grade-appropriate basics of whale and dolphin communication. Through hands-on classroom activities, students imitate cetacean songs and communicate with each other. Participants discover how ship noise and other man-made sounds impact cetacean communication and the importance of limiting sound pollution in ocean habitats.
Grades 2 - Adult
Endangered Species
Learn how species are linked and dependent upon each other within their ecosystems, and the importance of saving biodiversity. Hands-on activities explore different methods for conserving marine life as well as specific threats for some of the most endangered species.
Grades 2 -Adult
Amazing Lives of Sea Turtles
Explore sea turtle evolution, anatomy, and conservation from one of the most remarkable and specialized marine creatures that travels the world’s oceans. Hands-on artifacts support learning about different sea turtles, their life cycles and threats to their continued survival.
Grades 2-Adult
Sea Otters: A Story of Survival
Explore the natural history, ecology, and survival of the California sea otters. This multimedia presentation includes hands-on stations that cover adaptations and human impact. Students learn how they can help protect sea otters from extinction!
Grades 1-Adult
Marine Mammals: Adaptations and Communication
Discover behavioral adaptations and communications of whales and dolphins in their marine environment. This multimedia presentation includes hands-on stations and exploration of marine animal artifacts.
Grades 1-Adult
Whales On Wheels (WOW™)
Dive-in with a mini-museum of hands-on marine mammal artifacts and conservation messages. The WOW™ program provides a breadth of understanding of marine mammals and the delicate balance that binds all living things together.
Grades 3-Adult
Dee, The Whale Ambassador
Students learn about whale anatomy and adaptations as they explore the inside of Dee, our 43-foot life-size replica of a humpback whale. Students become “junior scientists” as they learn about whale biology and observe similarities and differences with humans. Be amazed by the story of Dee and how she became an anti-bullying ambassador.
Grades 3-5
Our hands-on programs are designed for one classroom at a time
Due to the extensive set-up of all the artifacts, the instructor cannot move to numerous locations. Save The Whales will stay in one location, and classes can rotate through for their assigned presentation, with up to 4 programs per day. There is space for comments and questions at the end of this form.
Hear From Schools Who’ve Experienced the Impact
"Dee The Whale has the ability to show her as a living being who has the same parts we do. Dee normally eats small fish and krill and if she swallows plastic it could unfortunately stay forever inside her, harm or even kill her. Can you imagine how much space that would take up inside her body if she ate one piece of plastic everyday for the rest of her life? There wouldn't be room for the fish and krill."
Dan Albro - Former Senior Trainer
Education is the key to saving whales, oceans, and ourselves.
Save the Whales believes children, the future of the planet, need to be empowered and know that their actions can promote change.
Did you know?
