The town hall debate our class had regarding saving the Western Painted Turtles was very entertaining and educational at the same time. I actually learned a lot about Western Painted Turtles through this activity. I can see how students would have a lot of fun with this and learn so much at the same time. I know during April the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program host Turtle Day at Elizabeth Lake. This would be a really great educational opportunity for classes to attend. I was thinking it would work out perfectly to have your class learn about Western Painted Turtles on Turtle Day and then do the town hall debate activity after.

Morgan, Chelsea, and I came as grade 4 science fair students showing our excellent idea we had to save the Western Painted Turtles! Chelsea even brought in her own “turtle cage” to show our plan of saving the turtles. We never considered how easily skunks could dig under it to get the baby turtles or how many traps it would require to lay around Elizabeth Lake, but for grade 4 students it was a great idea!