Aloha TEACHERS!

Pre-K and Kindergarten (4 & 5 yr olds)
Happenin’ Habitats

Discover features of two coastal habitats of Hawai’i, sandy shores with coastal bottlenose dolphins and Hawaiian monk seals that haul up on sandy beaches, and tide pools with their small but amazing animals! Students will be able to share what a habitat is and begin to appreciate how diverse they can be with these two examples. We will also discover what does and does not belong in tide pools or sandy habitats.

3rd and 4th Grades
Magnificent Marine Mammals

Reveal what makes a mammal, a mammal and how they have adapted to live in such a tough place as the ocean with their amazing abilities! We also have some incredibly unique (endemic) marine mammals in Hawai’i, including two that are some of the most endangered in the world, the Hawaiian monk seal and Hawai’i’s false killer whale. Learn where they fit in the food web and what could happen if certain parts of the food web did not exist. We will find out how we can help protect endemic and endangered species by making good choices such as: choosing to observe marine mammals from a distance and choosing to eat only sustainable seafood.

5th and 6th Grades
Splash Class

Whales have been accused of making the biggest splashes in the ocean, and this program will teach students the diversity of a unique group of marine mammals, Cetaceans, or all whales. We will discern between the two groups of whales, mysticetes (baleen whales) and odontocetes (toothed whales) and will dive into some of their special adaptations, both structural and behavioral, for their diverse feeding strategies. We will also address one of the most challenging forms of pollution that whales and all marine life face, plastic, and how we can reduce it!

7th thru 9th Grades
Marine Animal Careers

Find out what it takes to work at a place that cares for marine animals. Of course we will highlight the most sought after and competitive career in the field, being a Trainer! But we will also explore students’ strengths and skills, and reflect on all the possible ways they could work for marine animals, because there’s many. No matter if you take reservations for programs or provide security for the animals at night, we all contribute to making the ocean a better place for dolphins everywhere in the world. Find out how you can, too!

10th thru 12th Grades
So this is Science?

Investigate just how difficult it is to answer this question, “Are dolphins smart?” The popular belief is that they are smart, and this program walks students through how to think critically and break down the popular thought in order to answer the question scientifically. This topic can be very subjective which is difficult for the scientific process. The reality of dolphins and their amazing abilities is so much more fascinating than the fantasy, and they deserve more credit for their true nature! Students will understand what makes a reference or source of information valid by investigating facts verses opinions that are stated as fact. Learn how popular belief has led to pursuit of wild dolphins for many reasons and is posing threats to them by disrupting their natural behavior.

Makekai Class – Additional Program details for Hawaii school groups