In this workshop, we’ll look at a variety of methods used to tag and track different turtle species, from PIT tags and shell tags, to GPS. We’ll discuss why a scientist might want to tag and track an animal, how researchers catch the turtles to tag them, and what other types of data is usually collected during tagging. Students will then have hands-on time to participate in mock turtle surveys where we’ll practice tagging (non-living) turtles and reading various types of tags to support our understanding of these concepts.
In addition to the lesson and role-playing as biologists in the field, students will get to meet the center’s multiple turtle residents, including our three new turtles, and will also get a cup of food to feed to the turtles and fish in the pond for after class time.