Traveling Turtles Trunk

Overview

This program is a great introduction to the five sea turtles of Florida. Students will learn about what makes a sea turtle a sea turtle, nesting habits, how to sample a population like real scientists, and how to collect data from their very own sea turtle model. At the end of the lessons, learners can participate in an optional game of Jeopardy to test their knowledge about sea turtles.

Lessons & Standards

Lessons

Lesson 1: Introduction to Sea Turtles (45-60 mins)

A class wide discussion about sea turtle biology and their adaptations is followed by a matching card game in which learners match each species to their weight, habitat, and feeding habit.

Lesson 2: Nesting (60 mins)

After learning about sea turtle nesting behaviors and human made challenges, learners assess four different beach scenarios to reflect on the quality of each nesting site and how to improve them.

Lesson 3: Populations (60 mins)

Students participate in a sea turtle population sampling game where they gather, track data, and practice making inferences about the threats sea turtles face in coastal ecosystems.

Lesson 4: Research (60 mins)

Students role-play as researchers, taking qualitative and quantitative observations of sea turtle models to assess their health and potential for rehabilitation or release back into the wild.

Optional: Students test their understanding through a trivia game.

Standards

Grade 3: SC.3.N.1.1, SC.3.N.1.3, SC.3.N.1.4, SC.3.N.1.6, SC.3.N.1.7, SC.3.N.3.2, SC.3.L.15.1, SC.3.L.17.1, SC.3.P.8.3, SC.3.E.6.1

Grade 4: SC.4.N.1.1, SC.4.N.1.3, SC.4.N.1.4, SC.4.N.1.5, SC.4.N.1.6, SC.4.N.1.7, SC.4.L.17.4, SC.4.L.17.4, SC.4.P.11.1

Grade 5: SC.5.L.17.1, SC.5.N.1.1, SC.5.N.2.1, SC.5.N.1.3

Grade 6: SC.6.N.1.1, SC.6.N.1.4

Grade 7: SC.7.E.6.6, SC.7.N.1.1

Grade 8: SC.8.N.1.1, SC.8.N.1.2, SC.8.N.1.6, SC.8.N.3.1, SC.8.N.4.1

This unique program includes:

• Curriculum binder and USB flash drive with multimedia resources
• 5 calipers
• 5 soft measuring tapes
• 1 scale
• 10 unique sea turtle models
• 5 skull replicas and prey items

Please note that the trunk measures 37” W X 23” H X 23.1” D and can weigh up to 70 lbs. This is something you’ll have to take into consideration as you’ll need the capacity to transport it if borrowing it from a partner that requires you to pick up and drop off.

Teachers in both public and private schools can request to borrow a trunk, free of cost, from one of the Traveling Trunk partner network members in your district. The process is easy!

1. Find a Partner
   Use the interactive map below to locate a Traveling Trunk partner in your area. Click a pin to view contact information, service area, and eligible audiences. Some partners can only serve educators within public, charter schools, or specific grade bands. 
2. Request a Trunk
   Contact your local partner to request a trunk loan. Be sure to include your name, school, public or private status, grades taught, number of students, and preferred loan dates.
   Note: Classroom-specific trunks are not available for outreach or pay-to-play events.
3. Confirm Logistics
   Watch for a confirmation email outlining availability and whether the trunk will be delivered or require pickup and return. Logistics vary by partner.
4. Implement the trunk
   Set time to prep, set up your classroom for each given activity, and make copies as needed. Follow the instructions inside the trunk to facilitate the lessons. 

As shared resources, all trunks must be inventoried before and after use, and any lost or damaged items should be reported immediately. Take special care of models, skull replicas, and storage conditions (store trunks in a cool place, away from sun exposure).

5. Share feedback, inventory, and return

Follow the terms agreed upon with the lending organization. Please inventory and report any lost or damaged items during your loan period.

Fill out the teacher feedback form and consider sending us footage of the trunk in action to education@inwater.org to compete for quarterly perks and prizes.

Not in Florida? Check out the map below to see if the US-wide version of Traveling Turtles is available in your state and district! This modified version of the Traveling Turtles trunk curriculum, brings the same excitement as our original trunk while highlighting all the species of sea turtles found in the United States and addressing the respective state’s academic standards. 

Don’t see this program in your region? Consider partnering with Inwater Research Group to get and manage your own! For more information, contact Rebecca Mott (rmott@inwater.org) and our K-12 Program Coordinator, Claire Sullivan (csullivan@inwater.org).