Sea Turtle Scientist (Scientists in the Field)
Scientists in the Field Series
on Goodreads (114)
What’s inside...
Dr. Kimberly Stewart, also known as the Turtle Lady of St. Kitts, is dedicated to saving the critically endangered leatherback sea turtles. One night, she witnesses a mother turtle laying eggs on the beach, a pivotal moment for the species' survival given their low hatchling success rate. Renowned author and photographer Steve Swinburne takes readers on a historical journey to explore the endangerment of these sea turtles and the efforts by scientists like Dr. Stewart to conserve them.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
10-12
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Dr. Kimberly Stewart
Discussion points
What do you think are some of the biggest challenges that sea turtles face in their environment?
How do you think scientists like the ones in the book help protect sea turtles?
What was one new thing you learned about sea turtles from this book?
If you were a sea turtle scientist, what would you want to study?
How do you think we can help sea turtles in our everyday lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they already know about sea turtles and scientists, helping them connect previous knowledge with new information from the book.
While discussing the book, relate the challenges faced by sea turtles to broader environmental issues and ask your child for their thoughts on solutions.
Encourage your child to think critically by asking them to imagine themselves as scientists and consider what they would want to explore about sea turtles.
After reading, encourage your child to share interesting facts about sea turtles with friends or family members, reinforcing their learning and communication skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of perseverance
Explanation: The book illustrates the dedication of sea turtle scientists who tirelessly work to protect and study sea turtles despite various challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to pursue their goals and not give up easily, whether in completing a challenging puzzle or improving in a sport.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature and wildlife
Explanation: The story emphasizes the scientists’ efforts to understand and protect sea turtles, highlighting the broader need to care for our environment.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be considerate and responsible towards animals and the environment, such as by not littering and participating in recycling programs.
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork
Explanation: The book portrays how scientists collaborate with each other and with local communities to achieve common goals in sea turtle conservation.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by working cooperatively in group activities or team sports, understanding that collective effort often leads to success.
Example Lesson: Scientific curiosity and inquiry
Explanation: Through the detailed depiction of the scientists' work, children are introduced to the scientific method and the curiosity that drives scientific discoveries.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to ask questions, explore how things work, and engage in simple experiments at home or school.