Education - Petersburg Marine Mammal Center

Education

The Next Wave

Our education program focuses on exposing students to marine science and related careers while promoting awareness of the marine environment. We conduct in-person science lessons to K-12 students, offer academic scholarships to university students studying for degrees in the natural sciences, and maintain a marine biology multimedia digital resource library.

Science Camp

and classroom education

We conduct in-person environmental education programs both within the Petersburg schools and during an annual summer science camp. Programs are geared toward exposing students to careers in the natural sciences while teaching them about the marine sciences and fostering positive attitudes towards science.

PMMC’s annual summer science camp has been operating since 2017. Professional biologists accompany middle school students into the field to show the “biologists in training” how to conduct hands-on experiments. The week-long camp is typically geared toward learning about marine, intertidal, wetland and forest ecology. Students also partake in nature art projects and learn backcountry skills.

Our partner organizations include Alaska Sea Grant, Petersburg School District, US Forest Service, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and Tongass Kayak Adventures.

Educational Resources

Virtual Aquarium & Digital Library

Doing a student marine science report? Want to know all about a particular marine animal? Our VIRTUAL AQUARIUM includes natural history, identification, behavior, physiological and conservation information. A repository of educational videos, audio clips recorded from hydrophones, lessons and activities, links to current research and recent lectures are all cross-linked and available at your fingertips.

Visit the virtual aquarium

Underwater Marine Mammals (©Kelly Bakos)

University scholarship funding

Each spring, PMMC offers an annual scholarship up to $1,000 to a graduating Petersburg High School senior. The scholarship supports students enrolling in a program of study in the field of Natural History such as environmental studies, biology, ecology. Interested candidates should reach out the PHS School Counselor for an information and application packet.

VOLUNTEER

Interested in volunteering with our education programs? In particular, our annual summer camp is a big feat to accomplish and we always need help! Our local volunteers bring a range of skills to the education team. Volunteers include current and retired educators, biologists, artists and naturalists amongst others interesting in lending a helping hand.