Science & Technology
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6 Aug 2026
A gray whale surfaces in San Francisco Bay on February 26. Whales are increasingly foraging in the heavily trafficked bay, facing danger of collision with ships. Darrin Allen © NOAA Permit #26532
Smart AI Technology Helps Save Grey Whales in the Ocean
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Computers help scientists find grey whales.
b) Whales learn how to fly in the sky.
c) Whales live in small rivers.
Ask:
(1) Do you like ocean animals?
(2) Have you ever seen a real whale?
VOCABULARY
1. whale /weɪl/
(noun)
2. ocean /ˈəʊʃn/
(noun)
3. camera /ˈkæmrə/
(noun)
4. computer
/kəmˈpjuːtə/ (noun)
5. safe /seɪf/
(adjective)
6. protect /prəˈtekt/
(verb)
A very large animal that lives in the sea.
Example: Grey whales swim in the cold ocean.
The huge area of salt water on Earth.
Example: Fish and whales live in the ocean.
A tool used to take pictures or video.
Example: The camera takes pictures of the animals.
A machine that processes information.
Example: Scientists use a computer to look at photos.
Not in danger or hurt.
Example: We want to keep the big whales safe.
To keep someone or something from harm.
Example: New technology helps protect the grey whales.
Grey whales are big ocean animals. Every year, they swim thousands of kilometres across the sea to find food and warm water. However, life in the ocean can be difficult for these gentle creatures. Ships can hit them, and finding enough food is sometimes hard. Now, clever scientists are using new artificial intelligence technology to help protect grey whales.
Artificial intelligence, or AI, is a special computer programme. Cameras take thousands of photographs of the sea from airplanes and satellites in space. Looking at all these pictures would take humans a very long time. The smart AI computer program can scan all the photos in just a few minutes. It finds the grey whales in the water quickly and counts them carefully.
This new technology helps scientists know where the grey whales are swimming. When ships know where the whales are, they can slow down or change direction. This clever idea keeps the whales safe and healthy in their ocean home.
The whale detection system uses AI to identify whales in the camera’s images; once verified, the system alerts captains that may be on a collision course with the whales. Rachel Rhodes/UCSB
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Why do you think grey whales swim so far every year?
2. How do computers help scientists study animals?
3. Would you like to use a drone or satellite camera?
4. What other sea animals should we protect?
5. What can people do to help keep the ocean clean?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: computer, ocean, pictures, safe
Grey whales are big _______(1) animals. Every year, they swim thousands of kilometres across the sea to find food and warm water. However, life in the sea can be difficult for these gentle creatures. Ships can hit them, and finding enough food is sometimes hard. Now, clever scientists are using new artificial intelligence technology to help protect grey whales.
Artificial intelligence, or AI, is a special computer programme. Cameras take thousands of photographs of the sea from airplanes and satellites in space. Looking at all these photos would take humans a very long time. The smart AI _______(2) program can scan all the _______(3) in just a few minutes. It finds the grey whales in the water quickly and counts them carefully.
This new technology helps scientists know where the grey whales are swimming. When ships know where the whales are, they can slow down or change direction. This clever idea keeps the whales _______(4) and healthy in their ocean home.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of this story?
a) Ships are moving faster across the ocean.
b) Scientists use AI computers to help save grey whales.
c) Grey whales only eat food in warm bays.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
1. Grey whales swim thousands of kilometres every year. T/F
2. Looking at satellite photos takes AI computers many months. T/F
3. Ships can slow down when they know whales are near. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put the events in the correct order from 1 to 3:
[ ] AI scans the satellite photographs in a few minutes.
[ ] Satellites take thousands of pictures of the ocean from space.
[ ] Ships receive information and slow down to keep whales safe.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. whale
2. ocean
3. camera
4. computer
5. safe
a) A machine used to process information quickly
b) A large animal that lives in the sea
c) Free from harm or danger
d) A device used to take pictures from above
e) The massive area of salt water covering Earth
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. Scientists use AI to keep grey whales _______ in the ocean.
a) safe
b) cold
c) lost
2. Cameras on satellites take _______ of the sea.
a) food
b) pictures
c) boats
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
Put the sentence parts in order:
1. A) find grey whales / B) helps scientists / C) in the / D) Artificial intelligence / E) big ocean.
2. A) above Earth / B) thousands of / C) Cameras take / D) from high / E) ocean photos
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer: a) Computers help scientists find grey whales.
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
ocean
computer
pictures
safe
Section 2: Main Idea b) Scientists use AI computers to help save grey whales.
Section 3: True or False
True
False
True
Section 4: Put Events in Order 2, 1, 3
Section 5: Vocab Match 1-b, 2-e, 3-d, 4-a, 5-c
Section 6: Discussion Builder
a
b
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
D - B - A - D - E (Artificial intelligence helps scientists find grey whales in the big ocean.)
C - B - E - D - A (Cameras take thousands of ocean photos from high above Earth.)
Section 8: Discussion Questions Student responses will vary.
Thank you for your feedback!