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Archived Events
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The 6th grade ventured to Pritchards Island, South Carolina to take part in the loggerhead turtle preservation efforts going on there. This trip followed a year of service learning projects focused on animal care and preservation. Students arrived by boat to this island inhabited only by the five naturalists that work there. First they went on a guided beach walk to learn more about sea life native to the Atlantic Ocean. They then crossed over the island to examine the salt marsh environment and its role in cleaning sediment out of the water and protecting young ocean creatures.
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In the evening, students listened to presentations on the history of the island and on the sea turtle preservation efforts. Students learned how barrier islands "move" when the ocean picks up and moves sand from place to place. They also were given their instructions for measuring and marking loggerhead turtles, should they encounter one on their beach walks.
Although no turtles were spotted during the late-night beach walks, students got a sense of what it is like to be a naturalist and an appreciation for the instinctive nature of the turtles. They also enjoyed the chance to have some fun together at the beach.
Some quotes from the trip:
"I am the greatest moon clam finder of all time."
"It's not a sand dollar--its a key-hole urchin!"
"Is that terrapin from Maryland?"
"Sediment, sediment, come and get it."
"I can see the Milky Way for the first time!"
"Look at me sparkle." (thanks to the bioluminescent algae)
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