NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher : Sea Turtles

The Trouble with Turtles

WebLesson Sites
Introduction
Many conservation groups around the world work to protect sea turtle nests along the beaches. They work hard to help ensure the safety of the female turtle and her successful trip back to the ocean. This is a long, tedious, and even expensive effort.

Education is the best way to train the public in what to do and not do when they encounter a sea turtle or her nest. Many people may not be aware that their actions are harmful. Through education and active support of organizations devoted to conserving the sea turtle populations, hopefully their numbers will increase.
Scenario
You are volunteering at your local sea turtle organization. As you learn about the conservation procedures, think about how you can help design ways to protect the nests and hatchlings, and educate the public about the importance of preserving the environment to ensure the success of future sea turtle populations.
Lesson Pages
Observing the Nest
http://seaturtleexploration.com/explore-and-learn/sea-turtle-web-lessons/nest-observation/
Rich Media
Relocating Nests
http://seaturtleexploration.com/explore-and-learn/sea-turtle-web-lessons/relocating-nests/
Protecting nests
http://seaturtleexploration.com/explore-and-learn/sea-turtle-web-lessons/protecting-the-nest/
Rich Media
Preparing Nests for Hatching
http://seaturtleexploration.com/explore-and-learn/sea-turtle-web-lessons/preparing-to-hatch/
Rich Media
Excavating the Nest
http://seaturtleexploration.com/explore-and-learn/sea-turtle-web-lessons/excavating/
Conclusion & Project
Conclusion
Almost all sea turtle species are endangered. Their population is smaller than it should be and it is vital that the nests are protected to ensure the successful hatching of the eggs.

Numerous sea turtle activists work within organizations around the world. They are diligent and work hard to find ways to protect the sea turtles and their nests.
Project
You have been asked to design a state-of-the-art device that will protect sea turtle nests while also educating anyone on the beach that walks by the nest. Describe what your device looks like, what it is made of, and how it will work.
Glossary
conservationist - person who advocates or acts for the protection and preservation of the environment and wildlife
endangered - a species that is seriously at risk of extinction
erosion - natural processes, including weathering, dissolution, abrasion, corrosion, and transportation, by which material is worn away from the earth's surface
excavate - remove earth carefully and systematically in order to find buried items
infrared - the part of the electromagnetic spectrum with a longer wavelength than light but a shorter wavelength than radio waves
orientation - the position of something relative to something else
population - a particular section, group, or type of animal living in an area
threatened - having an uncertain chance of continued survival; likely to become 'endangered'
vulnerable - susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm
NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher : Sea Turtles

The Trouble with Turtles

Introduction
Introduction
Many conservation groups around the world work to protect sea turtle nests along the beaches. They work hard to help ensure the safety of the female turtle and her successful trip back to the ocean. This is a long, tedious, and even expensive effort.

Education is the best way to train the public in what to do and not do when they encounter a sea turtle or her nest. Many people may not be...

Lesson Plan

WebLesson Sites
Introduction
Many conservation groups around the world work to protect sea turtle nests along the beaches. They work hard to help ensure the safety of the female turtle and her successful trip back to the ocean. This is a long, tedious, and even expensive effort.

Education is the best way to train the public in what to do and not do when they encounter a sea turtle or her nest. Many people may not be aware that their actions are harmful. Through education and active support of organizations devoted to conserving the sea turtle populations, hopefully their numbers will increase.
Scenario
You are volunteering at your local sea turtle organization. As you learn about the conservation procedures, think about how you can help design ways to protect the nests and hatchlings, and educate the public about the importance of preserving the environment to ensure the success of future sea turtle populations.
Lesson Pages
Observing the Nest
http://seaturtleexploration.com/explore-and-learn/sea-turtle-web-lessons/nest-observation/
Rich Media
Relocating Nests
http://seaturtleexploration.com/explore-and-learn/sea-turtle-web-lessons/relocating-nests/
Protecting nests
http://seaturtleexploration.com/explore-and-learn/sea-turtle-web-lessons/protecting-the-nest/
Rich Media
Preparing Nests for Hatching
http://seaturtleexploration.com/explore-and-learn/sea-turtle-web-lessons/preparing-to-hatch/
Rich Media
Excavating the Nest
http://seaturtleexploration.com/explore-and-learn/sea-turtle-web-lessons/excavating/
Conclusion & Project
Conclusion
Almost all sea turtle species are endangered. Their population is smaller than it should be and it is vital that the nests are protected to ensure the successful hatching of the eggs.

Numerous sea turtle activists work within organizations around the world. They are diligent and work hard to find ways to protect the sea turtles and their nests.
Project
You have been asked to design a state-of-the-art device that will protect sea turtle nests while also educating anyone on the beach that walks by the nest. Describe what your device looks like, what it is made of, and how it will work.
Glossary
conservationist - person who advocates or acts for the protection and preservation of the environment and wildlife
endangered - a species that is seriously at risk of extinction
erosion - natural processes, including weathering, dissolution, abrasion, corrosion, and transportation, by which material is worn away from the earth's surface
excavate - remove earth carefully and systematically in order to find buried items
infrared - the part of the electromagnetic spectrum with a longer wavelength than light but a shorter wavelength than radio waves
orientation - the position of something relative to something else
population - a particular section, group, or type of animal living in an area
threatened - having an uncertain chance of continued survival; likely to become 'endangered'
vulnerable - susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm

Curriculum Standards

NORTH CAROLINA
Bio.2.1.2 Analyze the survival and reproductive success of organisms in terms of behavioral, structural, and reproductive adaptations.
Bio.2.1.3 Explain various ways organisms interact with each other (including predation, competition, parasitism, mutualism) and with their environments resulting in stability within ecosystems.
Bio.2.2.1 Infer how human activities (including population growth, pollution, global warming, burning of fossil fuels, habitat destruction and introduction of nonnative species) may impact the environment.
Bio.2.2.2 Explain how the use, protection and conservation of natural resources by humans impact the environment from one generation to the next.
K.L.1.2 Compare characteristics of living and nonliving things in terms of their:
Structure, Growth, Changes, Movement, Basic Needs
1.L.1.2 Give examples of how the needs of different plants and animals can be met by their environments in North Carolina or different places throughout the world.
1.L.1.3 Summarize ways that humans protect their environment and/or improve conditions for the growth of the plants and animals that live there (e.g., reuse or recycle products to avoid littering).
2.L.1.1 Summarize the life cycle of animals:
Birth, Developing into an adult, Reproducing, Aging and death
2.L.2.2 Recognize that there is variation among individuals that are related.

Reference

Additional Information


Extension Activities

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher Lesson Plans

The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher has lesson plans designed to go with this weblesson.  For a complete list of lesson plans, click here.

Additional Projects

Individual and Group Projects

Here are some additional projects that can be used after the students have completed the online assignment or as a complement to your lesson. The students can use any media deemed appropriate for the project.

  • Watch Jeff Corwin from Animal Planet talk about the importance of protecting the beaches that sea turtles rely upon to nest: http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/animal-planet-presents/videos/jeff-corwin-reports-from-the-gulf-protecting-sea-turtle-nests.htm. Choose a beach that you live near or have visited or have read about. Find out about any sea turtle protection programs for that region. Write a letter that explains why you think their job is important.
  • Using modeling materials, create a model of a beach and a sea turtle nest. Use toothpicks and small squares of cardstock to write informational notes about various aspects of the nesting and hatching process. Make sure to protect your nest from people and predators. Share your model with other students in your class and school.

Final Activity - Whole Class

Visit the North Carolina Aquarium and learn more about sea turtles and sea turtle conservation.


Questions & Answer Keys

Study Questions and Answer Keys
  1. What steps should you take if you come across a sea turtle nest while at the beach?
    Answer: Call a local sea turtle conservation network. Look for a police officer or someone who is an employee at this beach area if available and alert them. If other people are around and coming close to the nest, explain the necessity of staying clear of the nest for the safety of the eggs.
  2. Predators such as raccoons and foxes are a serious concern. Describe a protective measure you would suggest to a conservation organization that would help protect the nests against predators.
    Answer: Answers will vary; students should describe a design and explain how it will protect the nests.
  3. In what situation might it be necessary for caretakers from a conservation organization to relocate a nest?
    Answer: If a sea turtle did not lay her eggs high enough up on the beach, the tide may wash in and drown the nest. The nest may also be in a high traffic area that is too difficult to protect from people and activity.
  4. Why, for most cases, should nests not be moved, let alone touched?
    Answer: Moving or disturbing the nest can be harmful to the eggs that are very delicate and rely on their snug, safe, warm nests.
  5. How is relocating a sea turtle nest like solving a puzzle?
    Answer: The sea turtle caretakers must be careful to ensure that the nest is moved gently and piece by piece and replaced in exact order and position; they actually mark each individual egg to indicate the position it belongs in the nest.
  6. Describe some of the threats to the sea turtle nests.
    Answer: Predators like to eat the eggs, humans might walk over the nests crushing the eggs and compacting the sand above them, natural threats include water from high tides or erosion.
  7. Look closely at some of the protective devices used with the nests. Describe the components that ensure the safety of the nest and eggs.
    Answer: The protective devices have sturdy wires that prevent predators from crawling and digging down to the eggs yet the holes are large enough for the hatchlings to emerge once they hatch.
  8. Describe the nest as the hatchlings appeared in the video.
    Answer: Students should describe the hatchlings emerging from the sand in a 'boil' of baby sea turtles. They are awkward and crawl on top of each other in order to leave the nest.
  9. Looking at the pictures in the gallery, what have the conservationists done to help the baby sea turtles successfully reach the water?
    Answer: They have laid out a path to give the hatchlings space with no people and to guide them to the water.
  10. While at the beach, you come across an unmarked nest where sea turtles have just emerged. You notice that the sand is still moving. What should you do?
    Answer: Students should call and report the nest right away to a local sea turtle group. They should alert any authority or employee of this beach since they will most likely be trained in dealing with sea turtles. Students should not start digging in the sand; they could harm still living hatchlings.
  11. Which years had the highest success rates of hatchlings that successfully left the nest?
    Answer: 2009 and 2010 appear to have the highest success rate (90% of eggs hatching).
  12. Which year had the most dead sea turtles? Why do you think this might have occurred?
    Answer: 2011 appears to be an especially tough year. Many factors could have caused this high death rate including weather, large population of predators, and human involvement.
Quiz Questions & Answers
  1. Scientists record and study excavation data and note the number of baby sea turtles that
    Answer: D. all of the above.
  2. How can conservation workers help protect nests?
    Answer: D. All of the above
  3. Nesting season usually lasts from
    Answer: C. May through September.
  4. Once in a while, it is necessary for professionals to relocate a nest. Which scenario would be a valid reason to move a nest?
    Answer: D. All of the above
  5. The sea turtle digs a nest about _______ deep.
    Answer: C. 18 inches
  6. How are nests relocated?
    Answer: C. Each and every aspect of the original nest is measured and then recreated. Each egg is marked to note its location within the nest and then moved one egg at a time.
  7. If you find a nest that is unmarked, you should
    Answer: D. all of the above.
  8. Which of the following might dig up and eat eggs?
    Answer: D. all of the above
  9. A 'straddle' is
    Answer: D. the measure the width of a sea turtle’s track.
  10. After the female sea turtle lays her eggs, how long does it take for the hatchlings to emerge?
    Answer: C. 60 days
  11. Nesting typically occurs
    Answer: A. at night.
  12. Which of the following pose a threat to the nesting sea turtle?
    Answer: D. All of the above
Project
You have been asked to design a state-of-the-art device that will protect sea turtle nests while also educating anyone on the beach that walks by the nest. Describe what your device looks like, what it is made of, and how it will work.
Rubric
Excellent (30 – 20)
An excellent student response meets all the project requirements and demonstrates that the student absorbed key lesson concepts and gave them thoughtful consideration. The response shows original thinking, creativity, and a strong sense of purpose. Ideas are organized and clearly articulated according to the proper conventions of writing (at this grade level).
Satisfactory (20 – 10)
A satisfactory student response meets most of the project requirements but overlooks one or more important elements. It reflects a general understanding of the key lesson concepts but shows little depth. The response shows little creativity or originality. Ideas are somewhat disorganized and difficult to follow, and there are numerous grammatical and mechanical errors.
Needs Improvement (10 – 0)
The student response is perfunctory, showing little or no effort. It is unclear if the student thought about or even read any of the lesson content. Ideas are scattered or off-topic. If possible, ask the student to revisit the lesson with a peer or mentor and then rewrite his or her response.