Pacific Marine Mammal Center Receives Distance Learning Award

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Pacific Marine Mammal Center received the Pinnacle Award for the 3rd consecutive school year for its Distance Learning Programs from the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration.

The Center is the nation's leading clearing house for interactive, virtual programs for students and lifelong learners. Each year, content providers, representing museums, science centers, art galleries, zoos, aquariums, musicians, and authors are recognized for "demonstrating remarkable quality of educational content and exceptional skill at program delivery."

PMMC began offering distance learning programs in 2015, largely focused on school and informal learning groups. The content of these programs revolve around PMMC's marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation operations and concepts around marine science and ocean conservation. Each year, the organization saw successive jumps in the number of programs delivered. In 2017, the program expanded across the United States and shortly thereafter, worldwide.

When COVID-19 struck, PMMC wanted to play a part in easing some of the challenges that newly 'at home' parents were facing when searching for engaging educational content for their children. PMMC began offering a series of free webinars for all ages. PMMC was then able to go on and seamlessly transition it's traditional center-based Camp Pinniped programming to an online format that remained extremely engaging and highly interactive.

" 'At Home with PMMC' programming is here to stay," said Director of Education Kirsten Donald. "With participants joining us from across the country and successive outstanding reviews for our online summer programs, it is clear that the children are not only enjoying themselves, they want more. For the time being, this is the new normal as PMMC continues to adapt to the challenges presented by COVID-19. We will ensure children, parents, teachers and those eager to learn about marine mammals and ocean conservation will have the ability to do so and safely."

As part of its portfolio of distance learning, PMMC has a program, called Healing Seals, specifically catered to children's hospitals across the country. This free, donor-funded program currently serves Children's Hospital Colorado, Children's Medical Center Dallas, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Boston Children's Hospital, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Children's National Medical Center (DC), Levine Children's Hospital (NC), and Children's Hospital Orange County.

To learn more about PMMC's educational programs go to: www.pacificmmc.org/education or reach out to education@pacificmmc.org.