Sea turtles have become the center of attention for third-graders at
Louis Sheffield Elementary. After focusing on sea turtles for the first nine weeks of school, the students received a visit from a sea turtle expert. Mr. Lucas Meers, a biology and marine science major at Jacksonville University, taught students how to protect sea turtle eggs that hatch along Florida’s beaches.
Mr. Meers incorporated a PowerPoint presentation highlighting life-like video and pictures of sea turtle hatchlings. He spoke of his visits to Ponte Vedra Beach each fall, in which he provides the hatchlings with a perfect journey back to the ocean.
“I have seen leatherback and loggerhead hatchlings,” said Mr. Meers. “I will observe the hatchlings of green sea turtles in the upcoming year.”
During the interactive presentation, students observed different species of sea turtles, their migration patterns, diets and physical characteristics. They discussed other environmental behaviors, such as beach clean-ups and turtle nest look-outs.
“Sea turtle hatchlings use the light of the moon to guide them back into the ocean; but there have been many instances where the hatchlings confuse the light from porches or buildings with the moonlight,” explained Mr. Meers. “With that being said, many hatchlings are led in the opposite direction of the ocean and can be run over.”
Louis Sheffield’s third-graders continued their education about sea turtles as they visited the Georgia Sea Turtle Center in Jekyll Island, GA.
More 'Spotlight on Education' Articles
Stay connected to the latest school news and events
