Third grade students at Polk Central Elementary School recently completed a six-week project-based learning partnership with Champions for Wildlife focused on turtle conservation and habitats.
The program engaged students from the third grade team and teacher Rachel Hamby’s exceptional children class. Over six weeks, students deepened their knowledge of turtles through hands-on activities and creative projects.
Students met live turtles, painted turtle rocks and created artwork depicting turtle habitats. The program concluded with a trail walk where students searched for turtles in their natural environment. While no turtles were spotted during the walk, students left the experience excited to write their own turtle stories.
Champions for Wildlife, a conservation education organization, worked with the students weekly, watching as their knowledge deepened and their curiosity grew throughout the program.
The project-based learning approach allowed students to engage with wildlife conservation through multiple learning methods, including direct animal encounters, art and creative writing.
