Student Speaker Series Media: Brian Skerry
Photo by Steve De Neef.
Brian Skerry is a visual storyteller specializing in marine wildlife and underwater environments. Since 1998 he has been a contributing photographer for National Geographic magazine. These links have been compiled as a companion to the Vital Impacts Student Speaker Series Educator Resources. Click here to download Brian Skerry's full educator resources packet.
Visit Brian’s website to learn more about him and see some of his amazing photographs.
Learn even more about Brian at Changemaker Talent.
Educators, did you recently attend a talk? Let us know what you thought
Did you recently attend a Vital Impacts Student Speaker Series event? As educators, we value your input on our education programs. We'd love to know more! All verified survey responses will receive a $10 gift card as a thank you for your time.
Background Information
These links have been compiled as a companion to the Vital Impacts Student Speaker Series Educator Resources here. Click here to download the full educator resources packet.
Articles and Books
Welch, Craig. “The Hidden World of Whale Culture.” National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Society, 15 Apr. 2021, www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/the-hidden-world-of-whale-culture-feature. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
Barnett, Cynthia. “Why It’s Important to Save Our Seas’ Pristine Places.” National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Society, Feb. 2017, www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/saving-our-seas-president-obama-oceans-conservation. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
Bourne, Joel. “How to Farm a Better Fish.” National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Society, www.nationalgeographic.com/foodfeatures/aquaculture/. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
Foer, Joshua. “It’s Time for a Conversation.” National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Society, May 2015, www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/dolphin-intelligence-human-communication. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
Skerry, Brian. “The Ultimate Book of Sharks.” Brian Skerry, 2018, brianskerry.com/product/the-ultimate-book-of-sharks/. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
Film and Video
Skerry, Brian. “Secrets of the Whales.” On Disney+, 22 Apr. 2021, https://ondisneyplus.disney.com/show/secrets-of-the-whales. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
Run time: 49 minutes
Nixon, Robert. “Sea of Hope: America’s Underwater Treasures: Disney+.” On Disney+, Skerry, Brian, 2017, www.disneyplus.com/movies/sea-of-hope-americas-underwater-treasures. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
Run time: 47 minutes
Geiger, Adam. “Return of the White Shark: Disney+.” On Disney+, 2023, www.disneyplus.com/movies/return-of-the-white-shark. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
Run time: 44 minutes
Skerry, Brian. “The Ocean’s Glory -- and Horror.” TED Talk, April. 2010, www.ted.com/talks/brian_skerry_the_ocean_s_glory_and_horror?. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
Run time: ~16 minutes
“Brian Skerry Showcases Life under the Sea in New Documentary.” YouTube, uploaded by CBS Mornings, 26 Jun. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=eMj9geBI-Kc. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
Run time: ~6 minutes
Page, Nina. Zuhlke, Samantha. “The Mermaid Myth.” National Geographic Education, National Geographic Society, 12 Jul. 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/mermaid-myth. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
Run time: ~2 minutes
Websites
“Find a Species.” NOAA Fisheries, www.fisheries.noaa.gov. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
“Sounds in the Ocean: Mammals.” NOAA Fisheries, 23 June 2023, www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/science-data/sounds-ocean-mammals. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
"Celebrating 50 Years of Ocean Conservation and Stewardship." NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, 2023, https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
Home - Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 2023, https://www.exploringbytheseat.com. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
View recordings of their Global Biodiversity Festival presentations.
Global Biodiversity Festival Year 4, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 30 Aug. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwKFsJZmdxpFfbyVWQ0_gCyWoXhGAqY3a.
Global Biodiversity Festival Year 3, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 24 July. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwKFsJZmdxpGryUYol9hbrpGZZmBhbO3G.
Global Biodiversity Festival Year 2, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 20 July. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwKFsJZmdxpEhK9d-PHhHQqQgdM-2Xay0.
Global Biodiversity Festival Year 1, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 24 July. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwKFsJZmdxpGLflfxa9I5lXsmBoDeRMD0.
Videos relevant to Brian’s work include:
“Colin Simpfendorfer | Sharks in the Mangroves.” YouTube, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 29 May 2021, https://youtu.be/bDTCLpjenZE.
“Rachel Graham | Rewilding the MesoAmerican Reef with Sharks and Other Marine Megafauna.” YouTube, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 24 May 2022, https://youtu.be/AyrS9ukgKkY.
“Vanessa Pirotta | Whales as Important Monitors of Our Oceans.” YouTube, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, 23 May 2022, https://youtu.be/W1jfbSOQO-g.
Activities
“Marine Mammal Education Resources.” Marine Mammal Commission, 4 May 2020, www.mmc.gov/resources/education-resources. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
“Saving the Southern Resident Killer Whales.” NOAA Fisheries, 04 Aug. 2023, www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/educational-materials/saving-southern-resident-killer-whales. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
Marass, Beth. Ricciardi, Jayne. “Earth Lesson Plans: A Whale of a Tale.” Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, 9 Nov. 2022, www.mbari.org/lesson-plan/a-whale-of-a-tale. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Interpreting Brian's photos. Download a pdf of Brian Skerry's photographs to discuss using the questions found in the Vital Impacts Educator Resources for Brian Skerry.
Read and Discuss
Elitsa. “How Can We Make Sure to Catch Only the Fish We Want to Eat?” Science Journal for Kids and Teens, 14 July 2023, www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/how-can-we-make-sure-to-catch-only-the-fish-we-want-to-eat/.
Elitsa. “What Are the Most Dangerous Places for Sharks? - Science Journal for Kids.” Science Journal for Kids and Teens, 11 July 2023, www.sciencejournalforkids.org/articles/what-are-the-most-dangerous-places-for-sharks/.