The 2022-2023 school year has been an exciting one for our third, fourth and fifth grade students in Mrs. Cullen’s science class. These students had the opportunity to raise a terrapin turtle hatchling as part of the National Aquarium’s Terrapins in the Classroom program. The turtle hatched on Popular Island in the Chesapeake Bay in September and arrived at ICS in October. The students named their turtle Squirtle. This has been an amazing experience for them as they were all involved in the care and feeding of our state’s reptile. The students knew Squirtle would only be with them until the spring when she would be released back into the Bay.
Wow has time flown! On Tuesday, May 2nd, the time came for Squirtle the Turtle to return to the National Aquarium’s Animal Care and Rescue Center. From there, scientists will transfer Squirtle back to Popular Island where she will be released and hopefully live the remainder of her life on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Squirtle has given the students so much joy, and a wonderful opportunity to practice stewardship for all of God’s creatures. Mrs. Cullen plans to continue this program next year and will receive another terrapin hatchling to raise. Our rising 3rd grade students our already looking forward to their opportunity to care for the next ICS terrapin turtle arriving in the fall.
For more information on the National Aquarium’s Terrapins in the Classroom program, click HERE.