Science Assemblies for Madison, WI Schools | Forest Whales

• Picture this: the lights dim in your gymnasium, and over the next few minutes, a 56-foot inflatable gray whale takes shape in front of your students' eyes. Before the morning is over, they'll have stepped inside it, handled replica whale bones, examined fossil specimens, and heard stories about the ocean that they'll be retelling at home that night.

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• That's a Forest Whales school day — and it comes directly to you.

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• Forest Whales is a traveling science program that brings marine science to your gymnasium or library without the logistics of a field trip. We handle everything from setup to teardown, leaving your staff free to experience it alongside your students. Our programs are fully aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and designed for K–8 learners, with content adapted for every grade level in your building.

Morning Assembly: The full school gathers for an opening program inside and alongside the whale. Students are introduced to whale anatomy, ocean ecosystems, and the fossil record through immersive, story-driven presentation.

Small Group Rotations: Throughout the day, individual classes cycle through in smaller groups for deeper, hands-on exploration. Students handle replica whale bones, examine a narwhal tusk, get up close with an orca skull, study humpback whale bones, and engage directly with the presenter in a format that encourages questions and genuine curiosity.

Take-Home Fossil Shark Teeth: Every student receives a fossil shark tooth replica to take home — a tangible reminder of the day that keeps the conversation going.

Teacher Follow-Up Resources: Every visit includes digital lesson guides aligned to NGSS standards so teachers can extend the learning in the classroom in the days that follow.

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Setup and teardown are handled entirely by Forest Whales. Your gymnasium needs to be 60 feet long, 30 feet wide, and at least 10 feet high — a standard school gym works perfectly.

Madison may be far from the nearest coastline, but the region has deep connections to prehistoric seas. The bedrock beneath Dane County is rich with fossils from ancient marine environments — evidence of the warm, shallow seas that covered the Midwest hundreds of millions of years ago, long before the Great Lakes were formed.

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Madison is also home to the University of Wisconsin, one of the country's great research universities, with a long tradition of natural history and geological study. That scientific spirit runs through everything Forest Whales does — connecting Wisconsin's own prehistoric past to the living ocean world students explore during the program.

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It's the kind of local connection that makes a student lean forward and think: this isn't just about somewhere far away — this happened right here.

• Forest Whales has already brought its programs to the Madison area, including a memorable visit to the Verona Public Library. Here's what the community had to say:

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• "Did you see the whale INSIDE the Verona Public Library?! Forest Whales brought fossils and museum-quality replicas of a narwhal tusk, humpback bones, an orca skull, and more for hands-on learning and activities. What a great learning opportunity!" — City of Verona

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• Schools and libraries across Dane County have experienced what happens when a 56-foot whale shows up in the building. The response is the same every time: students light up, teachers are grateful, and the conversation about science continues long after we've packed up and driven away.

• "David Daniels' program is not only informative, but he also brings laughter and fun into the experience. His knowledge and understanding of the child's developmental stages help David target his program to meet the needs of the group. I would highly recommend having this program brought into schools." — Caleb Feidt, Principal, St. Anne's School, Wausau

How much space is needed? A standard school gymnasium works perfectly. The whale requires a space at least 60 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 10 feet high.

How long is the program? Full-day school programs run from your first bell to dismissal, structured around a morning assembly followed by small-group rotations. Programs can be customized to fit your schedule. Library and community event programs typically run approximately five hours.

What grades do you serve? Forest Whales is ideal for K–8 students. Content is thoughtfully adapted for different age groups — kindergartners and fifth graders each get an age-appropriate experience in the same visit.

Do you travel throughout the Madison area? Yes. We serve Madison and all surrounding communities including Middleton, Verona, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Monona, Waunakee, DeForest, Stoughton, Oregon, McFarland, and beyond.

Is the inflatable structure safe? Absolutely. The inflatable whale is fire-rated and students are supervised at all times. We follow your school's safety guidelines throughout the visit.

Title I enrichment funds. Many Madison-area schools that qualify for Title I funding have used discretionary enrichment allocations to cover or offset the cost of a visit. Your federal programs coordinator can help identify whether this applies to your school.

PTA and parent organization sponsorship. Parent groups are often looking for a high-visibility way to direct their fundraising. A 56-foot whale in the gymnasium generates the kind of excitement — and photographs — that make the investment easy to justify to the community.

Shared visits with neighboring schools. Forest Whales offers reduced pricing when two or more nearby schools coordinate visits on consecutive days. Madison's density of schools makes this especially practical — a conversation with a neighboring principal could reduce costs for both of you significantly.

Community and civic sponsorships. Madison has a vibrant community of businesses, foundations, and civic organizations that support educational programming. Local sponsors have funded Forest Whales visits at schools across Wisconsin, and the Madison area is full of potential partners.

Our schedule fills quickly — especially in the fall and spring. If you're interested in booking a visit for the current or upcoming school year, reach out today.