Fifth-graders Love the Sea Turtles
Field trip to Georgia Sea Turtle Center was fun and instructive
Despite the gloomy weather, the 5th-graders' enthusiasm shone bright during their field trip to Jekyll Island, where they explored the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and the Tidelands Nature Center. This outing built on their recent studies of sea turtles in the Science Lab.
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At Tidelands, staff educators captivated the students with details about various reptiles and amphibians and their unique characteristics.
The kids enjoyed up-close encounters with a box turtle, a rat snake, and a baby alligator—and even had the opportunity to pet them!
"I liked the gator best because it was a gator, and it's cool that they have gators!" said 5th-grader Thomas H.
All the animals housed at Tidelands were rescues, each there for a different reason, and some may never be able to return to the wild.
The center's museum area also offered interactive exhibits for the students to explore and gather even more insights.
At the Sea Turtle Center, the students attended a presentation on the Center's work. Seated comfortably on the floor, they learned from experts about different sea turtle species, the intricate egg-laying process, and the hatchlings' dangerous path to adulthood amid threats from predators.
As they absorbed the information, some students connected it to their classroom lessons.
"I learned that the carapace is the back of the turtle shell," recalled Mathias B. "They talked about the carapace and some of them had carapace injuries, and we knew what the carapace was."
The center's museum area also offered interactive exhibits for the students to explore and gather even more insights.
In the hospital section of the Center, the students delved into the anatomy of sea turtles, examining their shells and internal structures.
Many of the "patients" at this unique hospital have suffered tragic accidents, such as boat propeller strikes—a common hazard that often demands swift, intensive care for the turtles to survive.
The hospital also cares for baby turtles that are too young to fend for themselves in the wild. These little ones receive a balanced diet and a simulated swimming environment mimicking their natural habitats until they're ready for release. Rather than simply being dropped at the beach, they're typically transported offshore to a reef where they can thrive.
The sea turtles and their heartfelt stories deeply touched many of the students.
"It was really cool how they were helping the turtles who were hurt," remarked Reyna J.
Like humans, these resilient creatures can overcome hardships and misfortunes, emerging stronger after rehabilitation.
And those babies? They're just so darn cute.
"It touched my heart that they are helping the sea turtles," said Kate A.
The center even invited the students to write personal "get well soon" notes directly to the turtles.
Overall, this unforgettable trip not only deepened the students’ understanding of marine life but also inspired a lasting appreciation for conservation efforts that protect vulnerable species like sea turtles.
Jacksonville Country Day School
Located in Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Country Day School is a private school for Pre-K 3 through 5th grade. JCDS prepares students for a healthy and productive lifetime of intellectual exploration, character development, and social responsibility.
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