Sea Turtle Round-up

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Sea Turtle Rescue Round‐Up DRAFT Contact [email protected]  Page 1 

Sea Turtle Rescue Round-up
Author: Tricia LeBlanc
Organization:
Audubon Aquarium of
the Americas
Subject area Science
Grade 3-8
Lesson Length 45 minutes

Focus/Overview: Students will play a game to
explore the health problems endangered sea turtles face as a result of the spill, and to learn
about the methods used to care for them.

Student Learning Objective(s):
The students will….
… learn about the health issues rescued turtles can face as they come in contact with oil from
a spill.
… become familiar with what is involved in rehabilitating sea turtles.

Louisiana SCIENCE Grade Level Expectations
GRADE LEVEL TARGET GLEs
3: Inquiry GLE 1
4: Inquiry GLE 1
Ask questions about objects and events in the environment (e.g., plants,
rocks, storms) (SI-E-A1)
3: Inquiry GLE 14
4: Inquiry GLE 14
Identify questions that need to be explained through further inquiry (SI-
E-B1)
3: Inquiry GLE 7 Use the five senses to describe observations (SI-E-A3)
3: Inquiry GLE 11
Combine information, data, and knowledge from one or more of the
science content areas to reach a conclusion or make a prediction (SI-
E-A5)
5: GLE 49
Identify and give examples of pollutants found in water, air, and soil (SE-
M-A3)
5-8: Inquiry GLE 11
Construct, use, and interpret appropriate graphical representations to
collect, record, and report data (e.g., tables, charts, circle graphs, bar
and line graphs, diagrams, scatter plots, symbols) (SI-M-A4)
5-8: Inquiry GLE 12
Use data and information gathered to develop an explanation of
experimental results (SI-M-A4) 12Use data and information gathered
to develop an explanation of experimental results (SI-M-A4)
5-8: Inquiry GLE 13 Identify patterns in data to explain natural events (SI-M-A4)

Ocean Literacy Principles

5. The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
a. Ocean life ranges in size from the smallest virus to the largest animal that has lived on
Earth, the blue whale.

6. The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.
b. From the ocean we get foods, medicines, and mineral and energy resources. In addition,
it provides jobs, supports our nation’s economy, serves as a highway for transportation of goods
and people, and plays a role in national security.
e. Humans affect the ocean in a variety of ways. Laws, regulations and resource
management affect what is taken out and put into the ocean. Human development and activity
leads to pollution (such as point source, non-point source, and noise pollution) and physical
Sea Turtle Rescue Round‐Up DRAFT Contact [email protected]  Page 2 

modifications (such as changes to beaches, shores and rivers). In addition, humans have
removed most of the large vertebrates from the ocean.
g. Everyone is responsible for caring for the ocean. The ocean sustains life on Earth and
humans must live in ways that sustain the ocean. Individual and collective actions are needed to
effectively manage ocean resources for all.

Materials needed (list quantities per student or group)
 Game chips (10 of each color per student)
You can use red, yellow, and green poker chips, M&Ms or pieces of construction paper
(the color of the “chip” is the key element used in the game)
 Game cards – one set per group of students (Blackline Master #1, attached)
 Small prizes for winners (optional).

Background Information

The Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program has been engaged in rescuing
marine mammals (porpoises, manatees, etc.) as well as sea turtles since 1993. In the state of
Louisiana the program is coordinated by the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. These trained
Audubon staff and volunteers respond to turtle strandings all year long, and rehab turtles and
marine mammals that are stranded, or in some way need assistance and medical attention. In the
Deepwater Horizon event, LMMSTRP volunteers and Audubon staff cleaned turtles caught up in
oil spills and provided food and housing for them until they are well enough to be released back
into the ocean. It is estimated that it takes around $5,000 to pay for the equipment, supplies,
medicine and veterinary staff time to help one turtle recover. To read more about this program,
visit the Audubon Institute’s website about this important project
(http://www.auduboninstitute.org/about/conservation/lmmstrp)


If You Encounter a Live Beached Marine Mammal or Sea Turtle
 IMMEDIATELY call 1-866-557-1401 and tell stranding personnel about a live animal
stranding and give a precise location.
 DO NOT RETURN THE ANIMAL TO THE WATER.
 Keep people and pets away from it until professional help arrives.
 Keep the animal cool and wet during hot months by splashing water onto the skin, but
AVOID getting water in the blowhole. In the cold winter months shield the animal from the
wind.
 If it is a dolphin apply a wet cloth to the animal, taking care not to cover the blowhole,
dorsal fin, flippers or tail.
 If it is a sea turtle apply a wet cloth over the shell but do not cover the animal’s head.
 Keep your hands away from its mouth, and keep your body away from its tail section.

If You Encounter A Dead Marine Mammal or Sea Turtle
 Call 1-866-557-1401 to report the deceased animal and give the general location.
 Leave the carcass just as you found it—do not touch it or remove any parts of the animal.
 If the animal has been spray painted with bright orange X, the animal has already been
reported to authorities and samples have been taken. You do NOT need to call to report
it. Leave it where you found it.
(Source: http://www.auduboninstitute.org/about/conservation/lmmstrp)

Additional background information on the importance of sea turtles to our oceans can be found in
the booklet published by Oceana, Why Healthy Oceans Need Sea Turtles
(http://na.oceana.org/en/news-media/publications/reports/why-healthy-oceans-need-sea-turtles-
the-importance-of-sea-turtles-to-marine-ecosystems; 20 pages, 4.3M)


Sea Turtle Rescue Round‐Up DRAFT Contact [email protected]  Page 3 

Advance Preparation
1. Break up the class into small groups of 4-6 students each. Copy enough cards to have
one complete deck per group. Some cards will have multiples for each deck. The card
template (Blackline Master #1) is included at the end of this lesson. The four pages
make one complete deck. Laminate the cards or print them on cardstock to make them
sturdier and reusable. To make the cards double sided (optional), you can use the turtle
templates (Blackline Master # 2).
2. Gather red, yellow and green game pieces (chips, M&Ms or cut out colored paper chips).
You will need ten of each color per student plus extras.
3. Downloaded and/or run off a copy of Oceana’s Why Healthy Oceans Need Sea Turtles
(http://na.oceana.org/en/news-media/publications/reports/why-healthy-oceans-need-sea-
turtles-the-importance-of-sea-turtles-to-marine-ecosystems; 20 pages, 4.3M) This booklet
has excellent information about turtle life cycles and habitats and is filled with awesome
colored pictures. Show your students turtle pictures and share some of the information
using an Infocus Projector or Elmo Projector.

Procedure

Engage
1. Create a classroom KWL chart with three columns for the entire class to complete.
Label them “What do I know? What do I want to know? What have I learned?” Tell
students they are going to learn about the dangers sea turtles face from oil spills, but
before they do, they need to complete the first two portions of the chart.
2. The teacher can gather information or have students do their own research to find out
about rescue efforts in the Gulf to save sea turtles affected by the oil spill. Oceana’s
Sea Turtle report can be used (see attached). Other sources can include Audubon
Nature Institute, The Sea Turtle Conservancy, and NOAA. J ust be sure your
materials have reliable information from established, credible scientific sources.
3. Review research materials with students and ask them to describe some of the
health problems turtles might encounter if they were to come in contact with oil. Add
or make adjustments to the KWL chart at this point if needed.

Explore/Explain
1. Explain to students that they are going to become sea turtles that have been oiled by
the Deepwater Horizon blow-out. They are going to experience what these turtles go
through, and how they are rehabilitated by playing a game.

2. Tell students that at places like Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, turtles are
triaged, treated for immediate health issues, monitored for any health problems that
might develop over time, and then maintained until they can be released back into
the wild. Audubon uses a system of colors to identify where turtles are in this
process:

Red Zone: Sea turtles in this zone have just come in from the wild and are usually
covered in oil, sometimes on the inside as well as the outside. When they arrive,
veterinarians assess their health, they are scrubbed down, and their mouth and
eyes are swabbed with a mayonnaise mixture to remove oil trapped there. They
are also given medicines like antibiotics to help them avoid infections that can
develop. The turtles are also given vitamins and fluids to help them get stronger
and begin a treatment of being fed a mixture of mayonnaise and cod liver oil.
This mixture helps them get rid of any oil they may have ingested that can harm
their internal organs.
Yellow Zone: Once turtles have been cleaned, and seem to be stabilizing, they are
moved into the yellow zone. Turtles in the yellow zone continue to receive
antibiotics, vitamins, fluids and the mayonnaise mixture for as long as the vet
staff feels it is needed. They may also continue to receive treatment for any other
Sea Turtle Rescue Round‐Up DRAFT Contact [email protected]  Page 4 

injuries that they may have incurred while out in the wild. In the yellow zone,
turtles are still monitored very closely for any signs of recovery or further
illnesses.
Green Zone: Turtles in the green zone have fully recovered from any injuries or
illness due to the oil, and are eating and swimming well. These turtles are ready
to be released back into the wild.

3. Explain the following rules of the game:
a. The game consists of colored chips or game pieces of some kind (whatever you
prefer to use). Chips are red, yellow, and green in color. The game also includes
cards – these cards describe things that can happen to sea turtles affected by oil.
Some cards describe negative impacts of oil and health hazards, and some
cards describe how rescuers help turtles to recover. The cards should be well-
shuffled before beginning the game.
b. The object of the game is to become a healthy turtle. To do this the turtle must
make it to the green zone by collecting all green chips. The first player to collect
all green chips is the winner. They are a healthy recovered “turtle” that has made
it to the green zone is ready for release.
c. Break students into small groups of 4-6 players. Each player begins the game
with 10 red chips. Each group receives a deck of cards and a mixture of red,
green, and yellow chips. The cards and extra chips are placed in a pile in the
center of the group.
d. Groups can draw straws, roll dice, or pick numbers to determine who begins, and
the group will take turns clockwise from that person on each round.
e. On each turn, students will select a card, read the card aloud to the group, and
do what the card says. Each card instructs the player to exchange some of their
chips for chips from the middle pile. At all times all players should have 10 chips,
no more or no less. If all cards have been used but there is still no winner.
Reshuffle the cards and use them again. The first person to get their turtle into
the green zone and ready for release is the winner. Continue to play the game
until all turtles make it to the green zone.

4. Once the game has been played and all groups have a winner, distribute prizes if you
choose. Afterward, review with students what happened to them as they made their
way to the green zone. Ask them to discuss the cards they selected, and describe
some of the problems and advantages they may have encountered as they
attempted to recover from the oil. Finish the discussion by asking students to review
and complete the KWL chart with any other information. As this chart is being
completed, the “Want to know” section should get smaller and the “Learned” section
should increase in the amount of information added.

Expand
Incorporate a creative writing exercise, and have students write a news article about
turtle rehabilitation or a fictional essay called “A Day in the Life of a Recovering Turtle”.
Have students write an imaginative description of what the recovery process is like from
the point of view of the turtle.

Evaluate
Check the written exercise for accuracy of the turtle’s experience throughout the
rehabilitation process, including kinds of health problems and recovery procedures.

This lesson was developed by the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in response to the BP
Deepwater Horizon blowout in partnership with Louisiana teachers, Louisiana Sea Grant College
Program, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, LSU Department of Education Theory, Policy and
Practice, UNO Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Studies, LSU Agriculture Center, SELU
Department of Teaching and Learning, Barataria Terrebonne National Estuary Program and
Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium.
Sea Turtle Rescue Round‐Up DRAFT Contact [email protected]  Page 5 



Rescue Round-up

You’ve swallowed some of the oil
you swam through as you surfaced
to breathe.

Exchange 3 chips for 3 RED
chips

Rescue Round-up

You’ve swallowed some of the oil
you swam through as you surfaced
to breathe.

Exchange 3 chips for 3 RED
chips

Rescue Round-up

You’ve swallowed some of the oil
you swam through as you surfaced
to breathe.

Exchange 3 chips for 3 RED
chips

Rescue Round-up

The Vet feeds you a mayonnaise
mixture that helps you pass the oil
you swallowed out of your system.

Exchange 2 chips for 2 YELLOW
chips

Rescue Round-up

The Vet feeds you a mayonnaise
mixture which helps you pass the
oil you swallowed out of your
system.

Exchange 2 chips for 2 YELLOW
chips

Rescue Round-up

The Vet feeds you a mayonnaise
mixture which helps you pass the
oil you swallowed out of your
system.

Exchange 2 chips for 2 YELLOW
chips

Rescue Round-up

The oil suppresses your immune
system and you get an infection in
your lungs.

Exchange 3 chips for 3 RED
chips

Rescue Round-up

The oil suppresses your immune
system and you get an infection in
your lungs.

Exchange 3 chips for 3 RED
chips

Blackline Master #1 Game Cards
Sea Turtle Rescue Round‐Up DRAFT Contact [email protected]  Page 6 


Rescue Round-up

The oil suppresses your immune
system and you get an infection in
your lungs.

Exchange 3 chips for 3 RED
chips

Rescue Round-up

You get a shot of antibiotic
medication to help you fight off
infections.

Exchange 2 chips for 2 YELLOW
chips

Rescue Round-up

You get a shot of antibiotic
medication to help you fight off
infections.

Exchange 2 chips for 2 YELLOW
chips

Rescue Round-up

You get a shot of antibiotic
medication to help you fight off
infections.

Exchange 2 chips for 2 YELLOW
chips

Rescue Round-up

The oil is hard to clean off of your
eyes, making it hard for you to see.

Exchange 3 chips for 3 RED
chips

Rescue Round-up

The oil is hard to clean off of your
eyes, making it hard for you to see.

Exchange 3 chips for 3 RED
chips

Rescue Round-up

The oil is hard to clean off of your
eyes, making it hard for you to see.

Exchange 3 chips for 3 RED
chips

Rescue Round-up

Your shell, skin and scales have
been scrubbed clean by rehab
workers.

Exchange 2 chips for 2 YELLOW
chips


Sea Turtle Rescue Round‐Up DRAFT Contact [email protected]  Page 7 


Rescue Round-up

Your shell, skin and scales have
been scrubbed clean by rehab
workers.

Exchange 2 chips for 2
YELLOW chips

Rescue Round-up

Your shell, skin and scales have
been scrubbed clean by rehab
workers.

Exchange 2 chips for 2
YELLOW chips

Rescue Round-up

You are doing a little better, but
still not feeling well. The Vets
continue to give you vitamins and
fluids.

Exchange 2 chips for 2
YELLOW chips

Rescue Round-up

You are doing a little better, but
still not feeling well. The Vets
continue to give you vitamins and
fluids.

Exchange 2 chips for 2
YELLOW chips

Rescue Round-up

You have just come in from the
Gulf and you are covered in oil—
inside and out.

Exchange 5 chips for 5 RED
chips

Rescue Round-up

You have just come in from the
Gulf and you are covered in oil—
inside and out.

Exchange 5 chips for 5 RED
chips

Rescue Round-up


Wild Card! Exchange 2 chips of
any color with another player

Rescue Round-up


Wild Card! Exchange 2 chips of
any color with another player


Sea Turtle Rescue Round‐Up DRAFT Contact [email protected]  Page 8 


Rescue Round-up


Wild Card! Exchange 2 chips of
any color with another player

Rescue Round-up

Your system has been flushed of
oil, and you are eating on your
own and feeling much better.

Exchange 3 chips for 3 GREEN
chips

Rescue Round-up

Your system has been flushed of
oil, and you are eating on your
own and feeling much better.

Exchange 3 chips for 3 GREEN
chips

Rescue Round-up

You are on your way to recovery
after receiving treatment. You are
eating and swimming very well.

Exchange 3 chips for 3 GREEN
chips

Rescue Round-up

You are on your way to recovery
after receiving treatment. You are
eating and swimming very well.

Exchange 3 chips for 3 GREEN
chips

Rescue Round-up

You are on your way to recovery
after receiving treatment. You are
eating and swimming very well.

Exchange 3 chips for 3 GREEN
chips

Rescue Round-up

You are completely recovered
and ready to be released back
into the wild!

Exchange 5 chips for 5 GREEN
chips

Rescue Round-up

You are completely recovered
and ready to be released back
into the wild!

Exchange 5 chips for 5 GREEN
chips




Sea Turtle Rescue Round‐Up DRAFT Contact [email protected]  Page 9 


Rescue Round-Up


No significant change to your
health. You need more rest and
attention in the zone you are in.

Skip a Turn

Rescue Round-up

No significant change to your
health. You need more rest and
attention in the zone you are in.

Skip a Turn

Rescue Round-up

No significant change to your
health. You need more rest and
attention in the zone you are in.

Skip a Turn

Rescue Round-up

No significant change to your
health. You need more rest and
attention in the zone you are in.

Skip a Turn

Rescue Round-up

No significant change to your
health. You need more rest and
attention in the zone you are in.

Skip a Turn

Rescue Round-up

No significant change to your
health. You need more rest and
attention in the zone you are in.

Skip a Turn

Rescue Round-up

No significant change to your
health. You need more rest and
attention in the zone you are in.

Skip a Turn

Rescue Round-up

No significant change to your
health. You need more rest and
attention in the zone you are in.

Skip a Turn


Sea Turtle Rescue Round‐Up DRAFT Contact [email protected]  Page 10 









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