Bigg's Orca (STARS)

Service Description

Work with Monika Wieland Shields, director of the Orca Behavior Institute, to investigate seasonal movement patterns of Bigg’s killer whales in the Salish Sea. Through a combination of virtual lectures and in-person field trips on the water and on shore, students will learn about the thought processes and considerations that go into a taking a scientific project from the initial question through field work to analysis and presentation. Each student will work with real-world data on a specific family group of Bigg’s killer whales as they learn about topics including photo ID, mapping, graphing, and how to take scientific data in the field. Virtual launch, January 10, 2023 @ 6:30PM Program summary: STaRS (Student Training as Research Scientists) is a year-long marine science field research training program ending in a culminating project presentation of their research experience. Students choose one of the projects listed below and work independently and as a small group with a project leader throughout the year. Qualifications to enroll: ​Can stay focused and attentive while observing in the field for 2-4 hours Able (or willing to learn!) to speak in public Available for ~30 hours of at home work and ~ 50 hours of field work for the year (4-8 hours per month)​ Commits to the in-person project presentation in January 2024 Ages allowed to enroll vary based on the project (see below) Must be able to access a Discord channel for group communication Age: 14-17 years old Location: Virtual, launch out of Cap Sante Marina, 1 San Juan Island Visit Group field work, boat-based Virtual Project Leader: Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute Boat-based Leader: Amy Eberling *need a minimum of 3 students enrolled

Cancellation Policy

In the event of any cancellation, regardless of when the cancellation is initiated, the credit card processing fee will not be refunded (3%). Cancellation Refunds vary by course: Spring, Fall, and Winter Programs: if cancelled 5 days prior to the course, the class fee will be refunded to you, less the credit card processing fee (3%). If cancelled any time after that, there will not be a refund for this course. Summer Programs: Cancellations 91+ days prior to session start date = Refundable less CC processing fees & $150 deposit Cancellations between 61 and 90 days prior to session start date = Refundable less CC processing fees & 50% fee of full tuition Cancellations between 0 and 60 days prior to session start date = non-refundable Exceptions to this policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather or personal emergencies. All cancellations must be submitted in writing and must be received in the above time frames. ____ The Pulse: There are no refunds available for our virtual continuing education program.

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