This fall, MotionInfo was invited to Orleans Elementary School to speak with both second-grade classes about North Atlantic Right Whales and how technology is helping protect one of the world’s most endangered species. The visit became a memorable experience for everyone involved—and ultimately inspired one student to feature StationKeeper in a stop-motion animation project now being shared on the MotionInfo website.
As part of a semester-long unit on whales, the students had been learning about migration patterns, feeding behavior, communication, and—most importantly—the challenges Right Whales face from vessel traffic along the East Coast. To deepen that learning, teachers invited Nate Knight of MotionInfo and Portia Calouro to visit the classrooms and demonstrate how StationKeeper works.
During the presentation, Knight showed students where StationKeeper units are located along the shoreline, how whales migrate up and down the coast, what AIS speed-alert messages look like on a vessel’s navigation screen, and how MotionInfo tracks boat movements in real time. The second graders were highly engaged throughout—asking thoughtful questions about boats, whales, antennas, and how the technology knows when a ship is going too fast.
After the demonstration, students created their own artistic prototype StationKeeper boxes, using craft materials to reinterpret the transceiver’s shape and internal components. The results were imaginative, colorful, and full of personality—reflecting how kids understood the idea of “technology that helps whales.”
For their final project, each student created a short stop-motion animation about whales. One student chose to feature StationKeeper directly in their story, explaining—through cut-out figures and handmade props—how the system helps warn vessels and keep whales safe. MotionInfo is proud to showcase that animation as an example of how technology education can spark curiosity and creativity in young learners.
MotionInfo believes deeply in community engagement and is always grateful for opportunities to share knowledge with the next generation of ocean stewards. Programs like this highlight not only the importance of protecting endangered species, but also the power of teaching children how real-world tools and historic coastal structures can make a meaningful difference.
To learn more about StationKeeper and how it protects the North Atlantic Right Whale, visit: https://www.motioninfo.com/stationkeeper
