PORT TOWNSEND — First Federal has contributed $3,500 to the Port Townsend Marine Science Center to help elementary school students in Jefferson, Clallam and Kitsap counties learn about Puget Sound orcas and underwater sounds in early 2009.
“First Federal is committed to taking an active role in the communities we serve,” said Karen McCormick, president and CEO of First Federal.
“It’s a pleasure to support this program.”
First Federal announced in August that it would donate $1 million to housing, economic and community development projects in Jefferson and Clallam counties through its Community Dividend Program.
Its first gift was $225,000 to the Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend, and it also has supported the Dream Playground in Port Angeles.
First Federal is sponsoring tuition and transportation for hundreds of third- and fourth-grade classes to attend classes at the marine science center.
The students will participate in hands-on sessions at the center, with classes starting Feb. 3 and continuing through March.
Students will learn about orca communication, food chains and the challenges they face now.
In a second class, which will focus on sound under water, students will experiment with methods to make, manipulate and measure sound.
Next year, the center plans to begin a two-year project on the science of orca whales.
The Orca Project will culminate in a permanent exhibit of an orca skeleton in their Marine Exhibit.
To register for a class or request busing scholarships, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis for public schools, phone Lucy Carpenter at the center at 360-385-5582, ext. 113, or e-mail her at lcarpenter@ptmsc.org.
