Undergraduate students read and discuss work published by Sitka WhaleFest speakers in advance of traveling to Sitka WhaleFest as part of a semester long course. Lower division undergraduates are matched with upper-division undergraduate peer mentors during the event.

Students travel to Sitka WhaleFest, a 3-day annual marine science symposium and festival in Sitka, AK. They attend high interest lectures over the course of three afternoons and meet with presenting scientists in small group discussions. Students participate in marine cruises and wildlife and cultural workshops. Mentors and mentees lunch together to build relationships and evenings are spent attending art and music events, film fest, receptions, and a banquet.