Bigg's 201

If the class is Sold Out you can join the wait list emailing to monika@orcabehaviorinstitute.org

Scholarship available for this class:

Yes

To apply for a scholarship click here

Registration opens:

SOLD OUT

Class Cost:

$1850 per person

In this 4.5 month course combining virtual lectures and in-person field trips, you will work with whale biologist Monika Wieland Shields of the Orca Behavior Institute to improve your scientific literacy by doing a deep dive to learn more about Bigg’s killer whales of the Salish Sea. Regardless of your background, this class will help you practice reading and understanding scientific papers, give you a chance to try collecting whale behavioral data in the field, and let you explore real-world sightings data to create graphs and maps as you follow a specific Bigg’s family group. In addition to bi-weekly sessions on Zoom, the full version of the class includes five boat trips and culminates with an in-person presentation where you can practice what you’ve learned about how to communicate science effectively. If you ever wondered what a career in marine biology might be like or you want to take your understanding of killer whales to the next level, this is the course for you!

While we have offered a virtual version of the class in the past, the 2025 option will be for the full version only.

Class is now SOLD OUT for 2025, but we still have a financial assistance scholarship open to apply for until 11/15. See link at the top of the page.

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Highlight video from Bigg's 201 boat trip excursion (April, 2024)

• 11 two-hour virtual Zoom sessions with Monika Wieland Shields including lectures, group discussions, and plenty of time for Q&A

• 5 boat trips with your instructors (4 from Anacortes, 1 from Friday Harbor), including a highlight video of each excursion!

• Class binder mailed to you before the first session

• Access to 5 years of OBI's real-world sightings data on a specific family group of Bigg's killer whales

• Commemorative class T-shirt‍

• Community Discord server to connect with instructors and students between class sessions (and a tutorial on how to use Discord if it's new to you!)

• The opportunity to practice everything you've learned through a final in-person presentation with your classmates

Virtual sessions will be held via Zoom from 6:30-8:30PM PST on the following dates in 2025:

‍
Mon. January 6
Tues. January 7
Mon. January 20
Mon. February 3
Mon. February 17
Mon. March 3
Mon. March 17
Mon. April 14
Mon. April 28
Mon. May 12

In-person boat trips will be held on the following dates in 2025:

Sat. March 22 - All day trip to Friday Harbor,WA with visit to Orca Survey Center and boat excursion
Sat. April 5 - From Anacortes, WA
Sat. April 19 - From Anacortes, WA
Sat. May 3 - From Anacortes, WA
Sat. May 17 - Final in-person class presentations and boat trip from Anacortes, WA

There are no specific prerequisites other than a willingness to learn, challenge yourself, and engage with
others on throughout this educational experience. No specific scientific background is needed; in fact, we
anticipate that everyone's unique backgrounds will enrich the experience for everyone. The general
expectation is that students will spend 1-2 hours on class assignments in between sessions.

While the class will begin with a review of basic orca biology and life history, this is considered a more
advanced class for those with existing basic orca knowledge, rather than an introductory class for those
just learning about orcas for the first time. The Salish Sea School is offering an alternative class that may
be a better fit for those seeking an introductory level course.

‍Students will need to secure their own transportation to and from the in-person boat trips that depart from
Anacortes and Friday Harbor, though instructors will assist in planning trip logistics.

“Monika has a very gentle manner and knows her subject well. She welcomes all questions, answers them thoughtfully, and makes every student in the class feel valued and relevant.”

“Biggs 201 was not only a phenomenal class, it was also a fantastic life experience. I learned a ton, and also met so many wonderful like-minded people who I now call friends. THANK YOU to Monika and the Orca Behavior Institute for creating this opportunity for non-scientists to learn more about and engage with the whales we have loved for decades. It is a truly remarkable thing you have created and I’m so grateful to have been a part of it. I can’t wait for the next one!”

“Participating in the Biggs 201 Program made my childhood dream come true of being able to explore this field of marine research, which has always felt out of reach. The entire program was so fascinating and fun!! I appreciated the flexibility available for participants to learn at their own pace in a way that was not stressful. It was really incredible to encounter such inspiring humans and cetaceans, while feeling a deep sense of belonging and connection. Monika and OBI put a lot of heart and soul into making this an exceptional and truly life-changing experience that I will always cherish. I would wholeheartedly recommend making this happen if you’re considering taking a class!”

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone 18 and older who wants to:

Expand their knowledge of Bigg’s killer whales
Improve their scientific literacy
Learn what scientists do to take a research project from start to finish
Be able to read and understand scientific papers
Experience field research
Communicate effectively about science

Do you offer a payment plan and how do I sign up?

Splitting the class fee into 4 equal payments is also an option with an additional 2.9% per
payment added to cover transaction fees. You can visit our payment plan page (when available) HERE

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancel by December 31, 2024 to receive a full refund minus a $100 administrative fee. No refunds for cancellations made in 2025.