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Scientists in the Field
The Orca Scientists: A STEM Book About Saving Orcas from Extinction for Kids (Ages 10-12)
Follow the scientists working in the Pacific Northwest to learn about the orca whale population there, as they race to save these remarkable mammals from extinction.
Orcas have a reputation for being bloodthirsty, but that myth is being debunked as scientists learn more about these "killer" animals. Readers follow scientists in the Pacific Northwest who study the nuanced communication patterns, family structure, and socialization of orca whales, from marine biologists to specialists in the study of sound.
Orcas have a reputation for being bloodthirsty, but that myth is being debunked as scientists learn more about these "killer" animals. Readers follow scientists in the Pacific Northwest who study the nuanced communication patterns, family structure, and socialization of orca whales, from marine biologists to specialists in the study of sound.
80 pages, Hardcover
Published July 24, 2018
7 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 31, 2018
Excellent informational book with excellent photographs.
This was an excellent book in the "Scientists in the Field" series. The scientists are mainly studying pods of whales that live in the waters off Washington State, which they called the Southern Residents, and which mainly eat salmon. The author tells how the scientists conduct their studies, and how they are worried about the future of these particular orcas, partly because the salmon population seems to be decreasing.
This was an excellent book in the "Scientists in the Field" series. The scientists are mainly studying pods of whales that live in the waters off Washington State, which they called the Southern Residents, and which mainly eat salmon. The author tells how the scientists conduct their studies, and how they are worried about the future of these particular orcas, partly because the salmon population seems to be decreasing.
August 10, 2018
The Orca Scientists focuses on the work of whale biologist Ken Balcomb and his research team who study the critically endangered Southern Resident orcas, who live in the U.S. waters off the coast of Washington State, using a wide range of tools including scat-detecting dogs, sonar recording, and drones. There are only 83 Southern Resident orcas and no newborn calf in the J, K, and L pods has survived in the last 3 years. The whales are struggling to find enough Chinook salmon to eat and swim in water still contaminated with DDT and PCBs, decades after these chemicals were banned. Since the book went to print, the population is down to 75 orcas.
Only days after I started reading this book, news broke about an orca pushing her dead calf’s body in the water, a heart wrenching act of mourning that has drawn worldwide attention to the plight of the Southern Resident orca population. In fact, as I edit this on Friday, August 10th, J-35 (Tahlequah) is still pushing the dead calf through the water, 17 days after its death, leaving many scientists concerned that she may also die from the physical exertion. Given everything I just learned about these social, gregarious, intelligent animals and the efforts of so many scientists working to save them, it’s been especially poignant to follow the story. If you’ve got any animal lovers who have seen the news coverage and want to learn more, this is a perfect choice.
I would have tweaked a few visual layouts, preferred clearer chapter divisions, and a more organized internal structure.
It’s unfortunate that this book is so timely, but hopefully it will spur action to protect these beautiful animals.
3.5 stars
Only days after I started reading this book, news broke about an orca pushing her dead calf’s body in the water, a heart wrenching act of mourning that has drawn worldwide attention to the plight of the Southern Resident orca population. In fact, as I edit this on Friday, August 10th, J-35 (Tahlequah) is still pushing the dead calf through the water, 17 days after its death, leaving many scientists concerned that she may also die from the physical exertion. Given everything I just learned about these social, gregarious, intelligent animals and the efforts of so many scientists working to save them, it’s been especially poignant to follow the story. If you’ve got any animal lovers who have seen the news coverage and want to learn more, this is a perfect choice.
I would have tweaked a few visual layouts, preferred clearer chapter divisions, and a more organized internal structure.
It’s unfortunate that this book is so timely, but hopefully it will spur action to protect these beautiful animals.
3.5 stars
April 7, 2019
A look at several groups of scientists who are studying various different, but overlapping aspects of the lives and health of pods of orca off the coast of the Southwest Canadian/Northwest US Pacific Coast.
This was a different kind of book for the Scientists in the Field series. Usually the book just focuses on one group of scientists, but I really liked how this showed several different groups of scientists all studying the same pods of whales. It was neat to show how different, highly-specific studies can yield results that when put together with other studies show a bigger, more enlightening picture. It shows how scientists in various fields can work together to help each other and the issues they are studying in ways that none of them can do by themselves. This would be a great model for a science class in which different groups study different things in one ecosystem and then compare and combine their results to get a broader, more wholistic view of what is going on in the ecosystem. Highly recommended for science classrooms from elementary all the way up to high school. Curios readers and whale lovers should also find plenty of interest in here (there's also lots on salmon for those salmon lovers out there).
No content issues.
This was a different kind of book for the Scientists in the Field series. Usually the book just focuses on one group of scientists, but I really liked how this showed several different groups of scientists all studying the same pods of whales. It was neat to show how different, highly-specific studies can yield results that when put together with other studies show a bigger, more enlightening picture. It shows how scientists in various fields can work together to help each other and the issues they are studying in ways that none of them can do by themselves. This would be a great model for a science class in which different groups study different things in one ecosystem and then compare and combine their results to get a broader, more wholistic view of what is going on in the ecosystem. Highly recommended for science classrooms from elementary all the way up to high school. Curios readers and whale lovers should also find plenty of interest in here (there's also lots on salmon for those salmon lovers out there).
No content issues.
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November 26, 2019Summary:
This book is about a group of scientists and a group of orca whales. The scientists observe these orcas in the Southern Resident pod taking pictures of them, observing them, taking samples of their blubber, and taking samples of their poop and analyzing all of the data. The orca whales as seen in this book are often misnamed "killer whales" but are actually family loving animals. The Southern Residents eat fish such as salmon, whose populations are also shrinking. Joining researchers in a small boat, the author observes a mother teaching her calf to fish. She describes another series of studies proving that sounds made by boats stress the orcas. It demonstrates the use of dogs trained to find whale scat and the use of a camera to take pictures of the pods without bothering them.
Evaluation:
I've always loved reading books about animals and endangered species with a mix of facts and the actual life of those animals. This is a great example of that! I really liked how the author portrayed the orcas as a great species rather than "killer whales" and how in depth she went to share how they get their information.
Teaching idea:
For my teaching idea I would use this book to teach students in second or third grade about animal lifestyles and habitats. It can also teach students about conducting an investigation in science where the students observe a species and take data on it.
This book is about a group of scientists and a group of orca whales. The scientists observe these orcas in the Southern Resident pod taking pictures of them, observing them, taking samples of their blubber, and taking samples of their poop and analyzing all of the data. The orca whales as seen in this book are often misnamed "killer whales" but are actually family loving animals. The Southern Residents eat fish such as salmon, whose populations are also shrinking. Joining researchers in a small boat, the author observes a mother teaching her calf to fish. She describes another series of studies proving that sounds made by boats stress the orcas. It demonstrates the use of dogs trained to find whale scat and the use of a camera to take pictures of the pods without bothering them.
Evaluation:
I've always loved reading books about animals and endangered species with a mix of facts and the actual life of those animals. This is a great example of that! I really liked how the author portrayed the orcas as a great species rather than "killer whales" and how in depth she went to share how they get their information.
Teaching idea:
For my teaching idea I would use this book to teach students in second or third grade about animal lifestyles and habitats. It can also teach students about conducting an investigation in science where the students observe a species and take data on it.
November 21, 2018
• Summary
o Scientists in the Pacific Northwest studied and wrote about Orca whales. They write about how they conduct their studies and their worries for the whales’ future ahead of them.
• Evaluation
o This book was super informational with multiple facts and beautiful pictures. I liked how the scientists are the ones who were telling us about the orcas. I do not think I would sit and read everything word for word however.
• Teaching Idea
o This book is appropriate for 3-5th graders. I would like to include this book in a text set about marine life. Students would be able to use this book to do some research on Orcas and then write a paper on them. Students would also be encouraged to complete some research online.
o Scientists in the Pacific Northwest studied and wrote about Orca whales. They write about how they conduct their studies and their worries for the whales’ future ahead of them.
• Evaluation
o This book was super informational with multiple facts and beautiful pictures. I liked how the scientists are the ones who were telling us about the orcas. I do not think I would sit and read everything word for word however.
• Teaching Idea
o This book is appropriate for 3-5th graders. I would like to include this book in a text set about marine life. Students would be able to use this book to do some research on Orcas and then write a paper on them. Students would also be encouraged to complete some research online.
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December 2, 2019Summary: The Orca Scientists are working in the Pacific Northwest to help save the orca whale population. These animals are at risk for extinction, so these scientists are some of their only hope left to save the Orca Whales.
Evaluation: This is a great book for someone looking to read a non-fiction book about the Orca Whales. I like how informational this book is. I think it's a great read for people who are interested in this specific animal.
Teaching: I would use this book as an opportunity to teach about the Orca Whale. The students could write down things that they know before we read the book, and then facts that they learned while reading the books. This would help me connect their prior knowledge to species such as the Orca Whale.
Evaluation: This is a great book for someone looking to read a non-fiction book about the Orca Whales. I like how informational this book is. I think it's a great read for people who are interested in this specific animal.
Teaching: I would use this book as an opportunity to teach about the Orca Whale. The students could write down things that they know before we read the book, and then facts that they learned while reading the books. This would help me connect their prior knowledge to species such as the Orca Whale.
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November 13, 2018Summary
This is a nonfiction text that is written by Scientist that have studied Ocra Whales. This text makes sure bust the myth of what people think Orcas are. Which are not bloodthirsty, hunting whales.
Evaluation
I found this book to be very factual and interesting. I loved it being told by scientists. I also liked that the readers were able to see pictures from the scientists.
Teaching Idea
I think this would be a great attention to a text set involving the ecosystem science unit. Students can use this to gather information on the ecosystems, on the oceans and on the whales as well.
This is a nonfiction text that is written by Scientist that have studied Ocra Whales. This text makes sure bust the myth of what people think Orcas are. Which are not bloodthirsty, hunting whales.
Evaluation
I found this book to be very factual and interesting. I loved it being told by scientists. I also liked that the readers were able to see pictures from the scientists.
Teaching Idea
I think this would be a great attention to a text set involving the ecosystem science unit. Students can use this to gather information on the ecosystems, on the oceans and on the whales as well.
January 3, 2019
From the Scientists in the Field series, this book focuses on the orca pods in the Puget Sound region. Takes a look at identifying and naming conventions and the plight the J pod currently faces in terms of finding food. Also a little more general things about orcas. There are a few specific factual things that are incorrect - which surprised me, as usually this series is excellent and spot on. Regardless of the errors, I loved this book because it is about my area of the world and the orcas that live here, hopefully making us (and others) aware of their plight and we'll do something more to help them continue to survive here.
November 21, 2019
Summary:
This is about scientist who are researching orca whales. Their goal is to hopefully debunk the myth that they are vicious, killing animals. They study everything from their sounds, family structure, and socialization.
Evaluation:
I liked it, but I did not think it was super engaging. I do think it is well written though and would be great for students who really enjoy learning about marine biology.
Teaching Idea:
It I was talking about marine animals I could pull things out of this book. Students could use it to help them debunk misconceptions. It would be great alongside another study of marine animals.
This is about scientist who are researching orca whales. Their goal is to hopefully debunk the myth that they are vicious, killing animals. They study everything from their sounds, family structure, and socialization.
Evaluation:
I liked it, but I did not think it was super engaging. I do think it is well written though and would be great for students who really enjoy learning about marine biology.
Teaching Idea:
It I was talking about marine animals I could pull things out of this book. Students could use it to help them debunk misconceptions. It would be great alongside another study of marine animals.
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January 6, 2019The photos are the stars in this entry. The prose is not as fluid as other books in the series. There were a few occasions where the narrative was difficult to follow and the jargon was not explained. Still, a wonderful resource to get young ecologists excited about saving this magnificent species. I just read in the paper the other day that the pod of orcas featured prominently in this book continues to decline. Sad, truly a tragedy.
November 11, 2018
The Orca Scientists is a little more data driven than the other Scientists in the Field series. I miss the storytelling aspect but loved the photobraphs.
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September 15, 2022All about orca whales and how they are studied. Informational project in science class.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews