Session 1: Introduction to "Young Scientist Program" -
'Where are the Whales?'

In this first session, the students will be introduced to the 'Voyage of the Odyssey' research and education program. Students will become 'young scientists' and learn how they can work together with the Odyssey crew in the search for sperm whales and knowledge of the oceans and their inhabitants over the course of the five sessions.

Hand-outs for students to keep.

• Sperm Whale Fact Sheet (glossy and color)
• Poster - Whales and the Odyssey
• Whale Comparison Chart
• Non OA web - exploration - resources

Topics Covered in Class (Presentation will be run from a DVD)

• Whales of the World - A natural history covering the diversity of cetacean species
• One Ocean - What are the threats to whales and their ocean environment and how can you help.
• What is the Voyage? - A discussion on the purpose of the Voyage of the Odyssey.
• Why Sperm Whales? - Why is the Ocean Alliance using sperm whales as an indicator species to the health of the world's oceans.

In-class Activities

• 30 minute presentation led by Cynde using the 'Ocean Encounters' DVD
• 15 minute video/telephone conference with the R/V Odyssey. Crew welcomes young scientists aboard Odyssey, and students are given the opportunity to ask the crew questions.

Homework (Research)
As Odyssey science crew, the students are responsible for getting to know the subject of their research-sperm whales.

• Read the Odyssey logs listed on and linked to from the Ocean Alliance website.
• Students will fill out Worksheet 1 (Sperm Whales) while reading the logs. (Note: This will be available on the same webpage.)
• Write a one-page story about a single dive, day, or year in the life of a sperm whale. Incorporate at least ten points from the worksheet in the paper.
• Write down one question that you would like to email to the Odyssey crew.

Homework Links for Session 1 by Category ---

Tour of the Odyssey (Interactive Ocean - www.pbs.org/odyssey/interactive/odysseytour.html)
This is a visual tour of the R/V/Odyssey. Students can navigate their way around the research vessel, enhancing their understanding of being part of the expedition.

Meet the Crew - www.pbs.org/odyssey/odyssey/crew.html
In this section of the website, students will learn more about the individual crewmembers and scientists they will be working with, how they came to work onboard Odyssey, and what their specific roles are while the ship is at sea.

Sperm Whale Fact Sheet
The purpose of the fact sheet is for students to learn and understand more about the animal they will be studying.

Odyssey logs arranged by categories

These logs have been produced over the last three years of the Voyage, and have been organized in a way that will be useful for students to learn more about sperm whales and their ocean environment.

Sperm Whales - "Deep Divers"