Sample Schedule - Teaching with Whales

Day One:
Arrive from Bangor Maine; Opening orientation and review of schedule at Swallow Tail Lighthouse peninsula; Dinner; Evening Marine Mammal Biology class with Laurie Muirson and prepare for "D'Sonoqua" Trip: Learn species sighting techniques and discuss oceanographic research aboard Schooner.

Day Two:
Breakfast; Professional development time; Review IU course requirements; Whale Watching on 50 foot "D'Sonoqua" with hot chowder and sandwiches for lunch. Observe and track marine mammals from the boat; plankton tow and on-board plankton lab, sample water and test for various parameters — use results to compare to other areas around Grand Manan; Dinner and free time, Evening Marine Mammal Biology class with Laurie Muirson and Tidepool preparation lecture.

Day Three:
Breakfast; Kayak trip along shoreline around Whale Cover past "Hole in the Wall" geologic formation, along cliffs of Fish Head and around Swallow Tail Lighthouse Peninsula. Discussions of geology and fishing weirs along the way; Island hikes and exploration of wetland ecology. Observe rare carnivorous plants in an unspoiled bog, Whale and Seabird Research Station scavenger hunt; picnic lunch; Tidepool Ecology and research; Professional development time, Dinner; Evening program, "Life as a Fisherman" at the Grand Manan Museum and Subtidal Realm Lecture.

Day Four:
Breakfast; Professional Development time; Plot Schooner Course and Species Sighting Data from trip on the "D'Sonoqua"; Picnic Lunch, Trip aboard the 55 foot research boat "Sea View": watch as a diver goes into the bay to collect invertebrates for research and discussion on board, view Salmon Aquaculture site and discuss local fisheries biology, Whale Watching; Dinner and free time; Sunset Hike.

Day Five:
Breakfast; Professional Development time; Prepare for Seabird Study; Free Time and Lunch; Meet at Seal Cove docks for trip to Machias Seal Island aboard the "Sea Watcher" to observe puffins; one team boards the rowboat to observe puffins from the water, another team goes ashore to observe puffins from land; Dinner on boat; Evening Marine Mammal Biology class with Laurie Muirson and Video: "Where the Bay Meets the Sea".

Day Six:
Sunrise Viewing at Swallowtail Lighthouse; Breakfast; Participate in Bird Banding workshop with a professional ornithologist; Hike the island, compare and explore the geology of Grand Manan; Professional Development time; Dinner and free time; Evening Marine Mammal Biology class with Laurie Muirson.

Day Seven:
Breakfast; Professional Development Time; Lesson plan presentations; Hike to Eel Brook Beach and Seven Days Work; picnic lunch; North Head Dock Tour to learn more about the fisheries on the island and associated environmental issues; Souvenir Shopping and Free Time; Lobster or Steak Dinner; Bonfire and final wrap up.

Day Eight:
Depart Grand Manan.