killer whales are the focus
At Beam Reach you get to develop and answer your own question, within a few parameters. You have to stick to the research theme: acoustic exploration of endangered killer whales and their marine environment.

study basic biology...
Within the theme, some students choose to ask questions like how do the orcas communicate? Or how do they hunt?

...or environmental science
Other students ask questions like how does vessel noise affect their ability to hunt?  Or how do the declining salmon populations affect the orcas?

apply your results
While you are allowed to follow your interests we encourage you to ask a question that, when answered, has the potential to contribute to the conservation of the species.

use acoustics
We also encourage you to use acoustics in your research. It's a powerful, non-invasive way to study the killer whales and their environment. And it's our specialty.