Inside the Whale: Maine Educator Turns Life-Size Inflatable Tribute to ‘Chunk’ Into a Traveling Conservation Classroom

Jessica Woodend, a wildlife educator based in Topsham, Maine, created a life-size inflatable humpback whale modeled after a beloved local animal called "Chunk" and launched Within the Whale, a traveling program that brings immersive marine education to schools, libraries and community events across the state.

From Land Animals to Ocean Ambassadors

Woodend, 39, has spent two decades in wildlife education and animal care, including 13 years working in Maine and eight years volunteering with Marine Mammals of Maine. For roughly ten years she toured the state with live animals, delighting students and community audiences. When she shifted into a less public role, she missed the direct connections with learners and began searching for new ways to recreate that sense of wonder.

Paul Dodge and Jennifer McLarney/Within the WhaleJessica Woodend with the life-size whale

A Tribute That Became a Mission

After learning about inflatable whale exhibits farther down the East Coast, Woodend decided to bring the idea to Maine. The project gained urgency after the local humpback nicknamed Chunk died from an entanglement. "I have to do this," she remembers thinking — not only to honor Chunk, but to help people understand the threats whales face and to build empathy for animals living off Maine’s shores.

"The inflatable whale became a tribute to Chunk. It’s modeled after her — right down to the missing piece of her dorsal fin that gave her her name." — Jessica Woodend

How the Program Works

Woodend purchased a full-size inflatable whale and developed a touring curriculum called Within the Whale. Visitors step inside the replica to experience the scale and anatomy of a humpback while learning about migration, entanglement risk, ocean health and conservation actions individuals can take.

Paul Dodge and Jennifer McLarney/Within the WhaleA picture of the life-size whale

Logistics proved challenging at first: the whale is stored deflated in a large wheeled bin, loaded with a ramp and inflated on site. A local library allowed her to use its community room for the first full inflation, and setup has become routine. One early lesson: never deflate the exhibit while children are still present — watching the whale collapse can be emotional after students have bonded with it.

Reach and Impact

Woodend began sharing the project on TikTok to document the program and expand its reach. Her posts unexpectedly went viral, drawing hundreds of thousands of views and sparking fond memories from viewers who recalled similar hands-on school experiences. This year nearly 9,200 people stepped inside the inflatable whale; Woodend hopes to double that number in 2026.

Paul Dodge and Jennifer McLarney/Within the WhaleJessica Woodend inside the inflatable whale

Beyond visits, she places whale-themed books in Little Free Libraries across Maine so families can continue learning after the exhibit leaves town. She’s also pursuing partnerships and sponsorships to subsidize visits for schools with limited budgets, emphasizing that conservation and education should be accessible to all.

Outreach, Not Ownership

Woodend stresses that Within the Whale is an outreach initiative designed to support classroom curricula, not a personal classroom purchase. "The main misconception is that I’m a classroom teacher who bought this whale for my school," she says. Instead, the program complements teachers’ work by creating unforgettable, curriculum-aligned experiences that build empathy, curiosity and stewardship.

With a mix of hands-on learning, storytelling and community partnerships, Within the Whale aims to inspire long-term interest in marine conservation while honoring Chunk’s memory.