‘Saving Springer’: A Whale of a Lesson
Harriet Huber
NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center
September 24, 2009 — “Awesome.” That’s how one teacher described NOAA’s new killer whale curriculum.
The elementary school lessons tell the story of Springer, an orphaned 2-year-old killer whale found swimming alone in Puget Sound near Seattle in 2002. The curriculum uncovers the mystery of who Springer is and how NOAA helped to return her to her home in British Columbia, Canada — some 400 miles away. Woven throughout the story are facts about killer whale biology, management and research.
The soon-to-be released curriculum was developed by NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center scientists Lisa Hiruki-Raring and Harriet Huber, and education consultants Peggy Foreman and Donna Sandstrom from A73 Productions.
Springer (right), an orphaned killer whale, with a member of her pod in Canada in July 2003, a year after she was returned home. Photo credit: With permission from John Ford, Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
The Marine Mammal That Got Away
Back in 2002, the issue of what to do with the whale was very controversial. At one public meeting, debate revolved around whether to leave her alone, rescue her and restore her health and/or put her in an aquarium. Finally, a young boy spoke up: “Maybe she’s just lost and we need to take her home.” That’s what NOAA succeeded in doing later that summer.
The story of Springer’s return to her pod was first told in NOAA’s award-winning video, “Saving Springer: Orphan Orca.”
The new killer whale curriculum, which includes a workbook, lessons and hands-on activities, also features the video.
“The activity involves balloons, noise, creativity and learning about killer whales — of course the kids love it,” said third grade teacher Lisa Boveng from Olympic View Elementary School in Seattle. “They stayed in the classroom to finish rather than go to recess.”
A Story That Warms Hearts … and Minds
The curriculum was tested between 2006 and 2009 by schools in Seattle and Olympia, Wash., and Kodiak, Alaska, with an emphasis on reaching low-income schools with high ethnic diversity. It will be available online by the end of 2009.
“Part of the Alaska Fisheries Center’s mission is to bring NOAA science to the public,” said Hiruki-Raring. “Teaching school children about NOAA’s research, management and stewardship through a local story is a powerful way to reach students, their teachers and their families.”
To promote this curriculum to a wider audience and highlight its stewardship message, Huber presented a paper at the Conservation Biology Conference in Beijing, China in July titled “Inspiring a Conservation Ethic in Elementary School Children.”
“In teaching stewardship to children, it’s important to use a compelling, local story with a positive outcome to emphasize that everyone, even children, can contribute and make a difference,” Huber said.
A student at Olympic View Elementary School in Seattle, Wash., practicing a whale call with a squeaky balloon. Photo credit: Lisa Boveng, Olympic View Elementary School.
A student at Seven Oaks Elementary School in Olympia, Wash., gives a thumbs-up to NOAA’s new killer whale curriculum that features Springer, an orphaned whale, and a variety of hands-on activities. Photo credit: Sharon Losey, Seven Oaks Elementary School.