The Sperm Whale Project - A Community Exploration in Marine Science
A Pratt Musem / Homer High School Collaboration

The overall goal of this project is to promote ocean conservation through enhanced cross disciplinary marine science education in our region. ( Kachemak Bay, Homer, Alaska)

Description Of Project

In 1988, the carcass of a sperm whale washed ashore on East Chugach Island about 40 miles south of Homer, Alaska. In 1993, using the salvaged skeletal remains as an inspirational focus, The Pratt Museum initiated a five year, uniquely Alaskan marine science program in Homer High School. The Sperm Whale Project was funded by a grant of $250,000 from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute through the Precollege Science Education Initiative for Museums. This Museum-school collaboration successfully created a multi-disciplinary approach to science education by involving students, parents, scientists, educators, staff from the numerous public agencies, community members, and Museum staff. A healthy marine ecosystem is critical for our economy and lifestyle. As has already occurred in many other regions of the planet, our once pristine Kachemak Bay is showing signs of declining abundance and diversity of marine life due to habitat destruction, overharvesting, and marine pollution. The Sperm Whale Project has beem designed to increase student and public understanding of marine sciences and to engender a more caring, informed, and responsible citizenry, capable and confident of finding regional solutions.

We began the first year (1993-94) with a planning phase for integration of this project into both formal and informal science education at the high school. In the second phase of the project (1994-95), the whale was researched, documented, preserved, articulated, and suspended in the impressive school commons by a team of students, Museum staff, and community members. The Museum offered a course, including field and classroom programs, to run concurrently with the laboratory component. In this third year of the project (1995-96), the whale was interpreted (through student research, writing, photography and illustrations) by means of a student-created and designed exhibit. During the project's final phase (1996-98), the school exhibit area was used for broader public outreach through tours to other schools in Alaska at all grade levels, public visitations, and cross-age teaching to share this unique marine program and promote the theme of ocean conservation in the community, region and state.

The project's main component centered on high school students working with Museum staff, community resource specialists, and educators to explore the sperm whale, with emphasis on its natural and cultural history, and ocean conservation.

Students had four possible avenues of involvement:

  • An interdisciplinary course which was offered in the high-school twice over a two-year period.
  • Independent study based on a teacher's recommendation.
  • Individual teacher options working with Sperm Whale Project facilitators.
  • A student internship program.

An advisory committee consisting of parents, students, teachers, scientists, and Museum staff was instrumental in developing the scientific accuracy and content of the instructional program. The course work was integrated with laboratory work and efforts were made to encourage the involvement of all teachers and students. In addition to course work, project specialists and volunteers from other organizations offered expertise in marine mammal biology, ocean research and conservation, historic whaling, and Alaskan folklore. These specialists taught students and the general public through speaking in classes, large group presentations,demonstrations, and hands-on work with individual students.

Beyond the Howard Hughes Medical Institute grant, supplemental funding has greatly enhanced program support of the project. In 1994, the Skaggs Foundation awarded the Museum $5,000 for additional support of a student video project. In January, 1995, the Museum was awarded $4,275 from the Alaska Humanities Forum for a speaker series called "Legends of Leviathan." This examined the relationship that has existed for thousands of years between humans and whales and encouraged awareness about ocean conservation and how it affected our lives. In August, 1995, the Institute of Museum Services (IMS) awarded the Museum a $25,000 grant to expand the Sperm Whale Project by initiating three programs:

  • A student research program on Kachemak Bay in collaboration with North Gulf Oceanic Society, documenting humpback whales.
  • A partnership with KBBI, the local public radio station, involving students in the production of a series of three-minute programs which focused on the theme of ocean conservation.
  • A video in collaboration with Broadcast Services of Alaska, documenting the Sperm Whale Project.



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