Whale Talk
Keeping the Coastline Clean, One Beach at a Time
Within the Whale has adopted a beach through the Blue Ocean Society’s Adopt‑a‑Beach Program and begun hosting monthly cleanups at Fort Popham in Phippsburg. Learn how you can join the effort.
Over the past year, Within the Whale has taken me all over Maine, helping people step inside a whale and learn about the ocean in a hands‑on way. But education doesn’t end when Chunk deflates—protecting our marine environment is a 24x7 endeavor. That’s why I’ve adopted a beach through the Blue Ocean Society’s Adopt‑a‑Beach Program and begun hosting monthly cleanups at Fort Popham in Phippsburg.
Our first cleanup on May 24 was a wonderful start. In just two hours, we removed nearly three pounds of trash from the shoreline while collecting data that contributes to long‑term marine debris research.
These cleanups are simple, meaningful ways to make a real difference. Each session includes a short presentation on local marine debris issues, followed by small‑group data collection and a final weigh‑in of everything we’ve gathered. Kids love it, adults learn something new, and every piece of trash we remove is one less item drifting back into the Gulf of Maine.
If you’d like to join an upcoming cleanup, I’d love to have you there. Bring reusable gloves, dress in layers appropriate for the weather forecast that day, and come ready to help protect the ocean we all care about.
Just reach out to me at info@withinthewhale.com to get involved.
Book a Visit
Ready to go Within the Whale? We’re booking visits for schools, libraries, summer camps, and community events across Maine. Let’s bring the ocean to your neighborhood and splash into science.
(NEWSCENTER Maine) Climb Inside a Whale: Maine Wildlife Educator Teaches About Ocean Life with Life-Size Exhibit
This feature from NEWSCENTER highlights how Within the Whale started, how the inflatable exhibit helps people experience a whale’s world from the inside, and the excitement it brings to both kids and adults.
This piece offers a great look at how Chunk and I are bringing whale education to communities all over Maine—even far from the coast. It highlights why I started Within the Whale, how the inflatable exhibit helps people experience a whale’s world from the inside, and the excitement we’ve seen from both kids and adults. It also shares a glimpse of how quickly the program has grown and where it may go next.
You can read the full story on NEWSCENTER Maine.
Book a Visit
Ready to go Within the Whale? We’re booking visits for schools, libraries, summer camps, and community events across Maine. Let’s bring the ocean to your neighborhood and splash into science.
(WMTW) Go Inside a Whale: Maine Educator Touring the State with a Unique Opportunity
WMTW offered a fun look at what it’s like to travel around Maine with Chunk—the 43‑foot inflatable humpback whale.
This feature offers a fun look at what it’s like to travel around Maine with Chunk—the 43‑foot inflatable humpback whale! It highlights how the program took off, why Chunk means so much to the communities we visit, and the joy (and occasional chaos) of bringing people inside a whale for the first time. It also shares a bit about where we’re headed next, including the possibility of taking Chunk beyond Maine in 2026.
You can read the full story on WMTW.
Book a Visit
Ready to go Within the Whale? We’re booking visits for schools, libraries, summer camps, and community events across Maine. Let’s bring the ocean to your neighborhood and splash into science.
(PEOPLE) Woman Goes Viral After Designing Life-Size Inflatable Whale Replica to Honor a Beloved Humpback
PEOPLE recently featured the story behind Chunk—the life‑size inflatable humpback whale that has become such a meaningful part of Within the Whale’s work.
This news feature dives into the story behind Chunk—the life‑size inflatable humpback whale that has become such a meaningful part of my work. It highlights the beloved real whale who inspired her, how Within the Whale began, and the incredible response from communities across Maine. The article also shares a bit about my path in wildlife education and why creating this experience felt so important.
If you’d like to read the full piece, you can find it on PEOPLE.
Book a Visit
Ready to go Within the Whale? We’re booking visits for schools, libraries, summer camps, and community events across Maine. Let’s bring the ocean to your neighborhood and splash into science.
(WHOM 94.9) Step Inside a Giant Whale for a One-of-a-Kind Science Lesson
WHOM 94.9 recently featured Within the Whale’s story—including the real humpback who inspired “Chunk” and the challenges whales face in the Gulf of Maine.
Chunk, the life‑size inflatable humpback whale, has been traveling with me to schools, libraries, and community events for years, helping kids and adults step inside ocean science in a way they never forget.
WHOM 94.9 recently featured Chunk’s story—including the real humpback who inspired her, the challenges whales face in the Gulf of Maine, and why this program means so much to the communities we visit.
If you’d like to learn more, and watch some videos, read the full article at WHOM 94.9.
Book a Visit
Ready to go Within the Whale? We’re booking visits for schools, libraries, summer camps, and community events across Maine. Let’s bring the ocean to your neighborhood and splash into science.
Remembering Our First Whale Visit: A Whale-Sized Success at Hancock Grammar School
We had the honor of bringing our life-size inflatable humpback whale, Chunk, to Hancock Grammar School for our very first school visit in early February 2025, and the experience was nothing short of magical.
Within the Whale officially made its debut—and what a splash it was!
We had the honor of bringing our life-size inflatable humpback whale, Chunk, to Hancock Grammar School for our very first school visit in early February 2025, and the experience was nothing short of magical.
The moment students walked into the gym and laid eyes on the massive 40-foot whale, jaws literally dropped. You could hear gasps, giggles, and excited whispers echo off the walls. It’s not every day you find a full-sized humpback whale hanging out in the school gym!
Over the course of the day, we met with students from kindergarten through 5th grade, taking each class on an unforgettable ocean adventure.
Exploring the Outside
We began each session by gathering around Chunk’s enormous body and taking a close look at what makes humpback whales thrive in their ocean home. From their streamlined shape to their flippers, flukes, and blowholes, students learned how whales are perfectly adapted to life in the sea. We also talked about real-life threats whales face and how we can help protect them.
Stepping Inside the Whale
Then came the moment everyone was waiting for—we stepped inside Chunk!
Inside the inflatable whale, students were able to explore 3D models of organs and bones and learn how these marine mammals are similar to us in some ways (like having lungs), and very different in others (ever hear of a three-chambered stomach?). Students had incredible questions and curious minds as they made connections between themselves and this massive marine mammal.
Heartfelt Goodbyes
We wrapped up each class with a special goodbye: every student got the chance to give Chunk a pat on her side as they filed out of the gym, many whispering “bye Chunk!” or “I love you, whale!” along the way. Several students shared that it was the best day ever and that they now want to help save whales when they grow up.
That’s exactly why we do what we do.
Bringing marine science to life in such a memorable, hands-on way is at the heart of our mission. We’re so grateful to the wonderful staff and students at Hancock Grammar School for welcoming us and helping us kick off our program with so much excitement and love.
This was just the beginning, and we can’t wait to bring Chunk to more communities around Maine.
Book a Visit
To learn more about whales, Within the Whale is booking visits for schools, libraries, summer camps, and community events across Maine. Want us to visit your school or event? Reach out and let’s dive in together!
How We Know the Whales: Tracking Humpbacks in the Gulf of Maine
If you’ve ever spotted the spout of a whale off the coast of Maine, you know how magical that moment can be. But did you know that researchers and scientists can often identify exactly which whale you saw?
If you’ve ever spotted the tail of a whale off the coast of Maine, you know how magical that moment can be. But did you know that researchers and scientists can often identify exactly which whale you saw?
That’s right, humpback whales, the same species as our beloved inflatable whale Chunk, are individually tracked and documented through a massive collaborative effort. This process helps researchers understand whale populations, migration patterns, health trends, and even family histories. And much of it starts with a simple sighting.
A Whale of a Catalog
Humpback whales are identified primarily by the unique markings on the underside of their tails (also called flukes). These markings act like fingerprints, no two flukes are exactly alike. Scientists photograph these flukes and use them to build and maintain the Gulf of Maine Humpback Whale Catalog, a centralized database that documents thousands of individual whales across decades curated by the Center for Coastal Studies.
So if you snap a photo of a whale’s tail in Maine, there’s a chance that the whale is already in the catalog, and if not, your sighting could be an important new entry!
Meet the Ocean’s First Responders
When a humpback is spotted close to shore, in distress, or has sadly stranded, it’s dedicated organizations like Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME) and Allied Whale that jump into action.
Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME) is a vital nonprofit that responds to marine mammal and sea turtle strandings, provides rehabilitation to sick or injured animals, and helps educate the public about conservation. They’re often the first call when a whale is found in trouble along the coast.
Allied Whale, based at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, is a leader in whale research.
These organizations work with researchers, boaters, and beachgoers to collect data and respond to situations that affect marine wildlife. Their work is not only essential for whale conservation but also helps educate the public about the fragile balance of our ocean ecosystems.
How You Can Help
If you see a whale while out on the water, take a picture if it’s safe to do so, especially of the tail! Then report your sighting to a local organization like the Center for Coastal Studies or Allied Whale. If the whale appears stranded, entangled, or injured, call the Marine Mammals of Maine hotline immediately at (800) 532-9551.
By being an extra set of eyes on the ocean, you become part of the conservation network working to protect these gentle giants.
At Within the Whale, we’re proud to honor the work of these organizations in our programs and share the stories of real whales, like Chunk, with students and communities across Maine. Because the more we know about these incredible animals, the more we can do to protect them.
Book a Visit
To learn more about whales, Within the Whale is booking visits for schools, libraries, summer camps, and community events across Maine. At the heart of our program is a life-size inflatable humpback whale, and yes, you can go inside it!
Every tail has a tale, let’s keep telling their stories.
Introducing Within the Whale: A Whale of an Educational Adventure
At the heart of the Within the Whale experience is a life-size inflatable humpback whale—and yes, you can go inside! It's hands-on science like you've never seen before.
Welcome to Within the Whale, an exciting educational outreach program in Maine. We’re bringing the ocean to you with an unforgettable, immersive experience that inspires wonder, sparks curiosity, and fosters a lifelong connection to the sea.
At the heart of our program is a life-size inflatable humpback whale—and yes, you can go inside it! Step into the belly of the whale, where you’ll explore 3D anatomical features and discover the incredible story of one of the ocean’s most iconic creatures. It's hands-on science like you've never seen before.
Meet Chunk: Our Whale, Our Inspiration
Our inflatable whale is modeled after a real humpback named Chunk, a beloved regular in the Gulf of Maine. Known for the missing “chunk” in her dorsal fin, Chunk was about 40 feet long and around 10 years old. Though she sadly passed away in the summer of 2024, her story lives on through our lessons, reminding us how powerful personal connections to wildlife can be.
Through Chunk’s story, students and families learn about whale anatomy, migration, feeding habits, impacts, conservation efforts, and the importance of protecting our ocean ecosystems. It’s a journey inside the whale—and into the world of marine science.
Ocean Education for All Ages
Whether you’re a kindergartener discovering whales for the first time or a high school student diving into marine biology, our programming is tailored for every age group and learning level. We’ve aligned our content with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to ensure it’s educational, engaging, and relevant.
Can’t accommodate the inflatable whale? We also offer a whale lesson without the whale, so we can reach schools, libraries, and community groups all over Maine and beyond.
Meet the Educator
Within the Whale was founded by Jessica Woodend, a wildlife educator with a degree in Natural Resource Management and a lifelong love of marine life. Jessica has spent her career making science fun, accessible, and impactful. Whether she’s teaching about bats, whales, or pollinators, her passion for connecting people with nature shines through.
When she’s not teaching, you’ll find her hiking the coast, beachcombing, volunteering with marine conservation groups, or tending to her pollinator garden.
Book a Visit
Ready to go Within the Whale? We’re booking visits for schools, libraries, summer camps, and community events across Maine. Let’s bring the ocean to your neighborhood and splash into science.
Dive in and discover what’s within the whale!