Lake Lucina Elementary School hosted special visitors on September 22 and 23 - actually about 80 of them - when the North Florida Chapter of Safari Club International brought life-size animals and taxidermied birds for the Sensory Safari.
The exhibit, which filled up the entire cafeteria and an additional classroom, gave the students the opportunity to experience wildlife through the sense of touch and have an up close view of many animals they do not have the chance to see in real life. The animals on display were either purchased by the club or donated from zoos.
Animals were divided into eight stations by regions or countries, based on where they are native to. Each section of the exhibit had a Safari Club International volunteer who spoke to the students about the animals on display, providing them with information about their eating, hunting and behavioral patterns.
"The purpose of this exhibit is to teach children about species education, conservation and preservation," said Clara McGehee of the Safari Club.
Principal Jana Grenier also felt the exhibit was the perfect fit for her school's theme for the year: "Lake Lucina Safari...Exploring Our Differences and Celebrating Our Strengths." To keep with the theme, students decorated the school in a safari motif. Additionally, each month throughout the year, students chosen as good citizens who best exhibit the character trait of the month will be treated to lunch on the cafeteria stage, which is decorated like a jungle, with Principal Grenier.
Students from Alden Road and Palm Avenue exceptional student centers, and Southside Elementary School also visited Lake Lucina to experience the Sensory Safari. Students also had the opportunity to return to the exhibit with their parents during the evening to share the experience as a family.
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