Kids Working on Thermometer Turtles

Today at the National Marine Life Center we started our summer programs. We kicked it off with our first week, Turtle Week, which I had the privilege of being in charge of setting up and running. Today, with the help of my fellow interns and volunteers, we started with Fins and Flippers, which included story time with two stories, the first one was read by Dory Estrada and the second one was read by me, Frank Reske III, and an arts and craft which was mainly taken care of by interns Lianna Montgomery and Corissa Bubenick and volunteer Elizabeth St. Germaine. The stories that we read today were Turtle in the Sea by Jim Arnosky and Do you know where Sea Turtles go? By Paul Lowery. For today’s Art and Craft we did Sea Turtle Thermometers. For these you would take a foam turtle and draw any design with any color on its back then a thermometer and a magnet are glued to it so it can be hung up on your fridge. But that’s just the beginning! Later this week on Wednesday, we will have Marine Animal Mystery which is where we will take you through a mock turtle rescue and rehabilitation, showing you what it takes to help an injured or sick sea turtle. Then on Thursday we have another Fins and Flippers. Thursday’s Stories include Tammy Turtle: A Tale of Saving Sea Turtles by Suzanne Tate and Carolina’s Story: Sea Turtles Get Sick Too! By Donna Rathmell. The arts and craft is Magic Color Scratch Turtles, which you scratch with a stick to reveal a rainbow of colors. So as you can see a lot is ahead so come on down and join the fun!

And if you can’t make it to this week’s excitement, don’t worry; we also have many other weeks this summer with many other different creatures, including, but not limited to, sharks, manatees, whales, dolphins, seals, and many more. To find out more please stop by our Discovery Center and pick up a summer program. So don’t miss out. Programs run July through August, so stop in and visit us.

Frank Reske III

Education Intern

Photo by Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce

Just only two days ago was the second annual Quahog Day Festival in Sandwich, Massachusetts at the prestigious Hemisphere Restaurant. If you don’t know what this is, don’t worry I’ll explain it to you. This day is a representation of the first day of summer. What happens at this festival is after about an hour of people wandering around the restaurant looking at tables and sampling food and ice cream as they listen to a local band play some quahog related tunes, everyone gathers for the arrival of Doug the Quahog. He is brought in by a limousine carried by clam rake-wielding security personal and is in a fancy sea glass covered basket with a velvet lined pillow for comfort. He is carried down a red carpet to the beach right in front of the Hemisphere. There, he is surrounded by the security and held by Johnny Quahog (aka: Erik Bevans the Secretary General of Quahog Republic and restaurant owner…aka: the man dressed like Sam Adams). Johnny is said to be able to talk to the quahog. All goes silent as the local weatherman holds the microphone close to Doug.  Johnny listens intently, then holds the quahog up high and declares that Doug has predicted 13 weeks of good summer weather. Everyone claps and cheers as Doug is lowered back in to his basket. Then everyone heads back to Hemisphere for drinks and rejoicing. The only bad thing about this is that if Doug is wrong he becomes a stuffed Quahog. Sorry Doug (tear).

Hope this was enlightening

Frank Reske III

National Marine Life Center Volunteers and Summer Interns at the 2010 Red Bellied Cooter Release!

June New Volunteer Orientation

Wednesday June 23, 2010, 6 pm – 8 pm

July New Volunteer Orientation

Wednesday July 28, 2010, 6 pm- 8 pm

August New Volunteer Orientation

Wednesday August 25, 2010, 6 pm – 8 pm

Volunteer Requirements: Volunteers must be 14 years old to work in Administration, Education and with the Headstart animals. Volunteers must be 18 years old to work with the rehabilitation animals. Volunteers maybe 12 years old if they are accompanied by a parent; there will be no direct contact with animals for anyone under 14 years old.

Without our volunteers we would never be able to educate the public, give amazing care to our rehabilitation animals, or be part of the community! Thank you to our current volunteers and we look forward to working with you!

Open 10-5 daily through Labor Day.

Laura, Amanda, and Jackie get the seal display ready for visitors.

A newly reorganized Marine Animal Discovery Center opened today. Featuring marine animal specimens and displays about rescue, rehabilitation, and release, the Discovery Center teaches visitors about marine wildlife conservation.

A small gift shop offers eco-friendly and fair trade gifts and souvenirs, as well as educational toys and books.  All proceeds from the gift shop support NMLC’s rehabilitation, science, and education programs.

Laura checks out the new t-shirt designs.

Daily education programs during July and August offer additional ways for children of all ages to learn about marine animals.  For more information about our summer programming, click here.

We are pleased to welcome back the “Discovery Center Dream Team” – a fabulous group of students who are excited to welcome visitors and teach them about marine animals, strandings, rehabilitation, and the National Marine Life Center!  The “Dream Team” includes:

Laura Orca, Jackie Turtle, and Amanda Seal.

Discovery Center manager Laura Doucette is a junior at Johnson and Wales University majoring in International Hotel and Tourism Management.  Her customer service skills are evident whenever visitors walk in the door!  Laura started at NMLC as a youth volunteer helping with education, animal care, and the Discovery Center.  This is her third year as Discovery Center staff.

Discovery Center manager Jackie Niles just graduated with a marine biology degree from the University of Rhode Island.  Visitors appreciate her knowledge of and passion for marine animals as she shares information with everyone who walks in!  Jackie started at NMLC as a volunteer and then was an education intern.  This is her second year as Discovery Center staff.

Discovery Center manager Amanda Chilson is a junior majoring in biology at Roger Williams University.  She is very knowledgable about the ocean and marine animals and eager to share what she knows with visitors!  Amanda started at NMLC last year as a summer education intern.  This is her first year as Discovery Center staff.

Jackie, Laura, and Amanda check out the sea turtle display.

July 6-16
9-3:30 weekdays

Taught by the National Marine Life Center, Cape Cod Maritime Museum, OceanQuest, and South Shore Natural Science Center, the institute also features a keynote lecture from Pat Harcourt of the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Join us and investigate the interconnections between living systems, earth systems, and their physical and chemical features. Why are the tiniest microbes and plants in the ocean important? Gain a better understanding of how energy flows and matter and nutrients cycle through the marine ecosystem. Explore geological sites to reveal the time line of Earth’s history. Specific topics will include fossils, rock cycles, glaciation and erosion. How do systems and processes in the ocean influence the life of a sea turtle? Simulate a swim through the life of sea turtle: hatch, migrate, and return to your natal beach to lay eggs in your own nest. Examine how ocean resources and the water cycle have benefited the people of Cape Cod throughout history. Investigate how climate changes affect the ocean and its marine organisms. Bring home the tools and hands-on investigations to bridge ecology, geology, life sciences, and oceanography in your classroom.

$250/educator. Discounts available for 2+ educators from the same school.

Up to 90 PDPs and graduate credit available.
For more information and to register, visit www.mits.org.

Click Here to download a flyer with additional information.

Today I went with Joanne and a volunteer to a high school symposium at UMass Dartmouth to talk to high school kids about what the National Marine Life Center was all about.  When we arrived we helped carry the stuff in and helped set it up as well.  We had many turtle shells, skeletons, taxidermy turtles, and a harbor seal pelt.  Once all the stuff was set up a high school class came in and Joanne started her presentation.  During her presentation Joanne had me and the other volunteer walk around the room to let everyone see and feel the different turtle shells, skeletons, and the pelt.  During most of the presentation we just sat and watched.  Joanne talked about the different marine animals of Cape Cod that they dealt with and also she talked about some past patients and some current ones (i.e., Patty).  I thought that her presentation had a large amount of valuable information and for the most part the kids seemed interested.  There will always be those few that don’t like animals much, but that’s their loss.  We ended up doing two presentations and I got to help out a fair amount in both.  Something that I thought was really neat was that I met a senior girl who was planning on going to Unity this up-in-coming fall semester.  Her name was Rachel.  She seemed very interested in going to Unity and asked me a few questions.  Then after we had everything loaded in the van we went out to lunch at Panera Bread and then went home.  I had a great time volunteering at the National Marine Life Center and I hope to work there again as an intern in the summer.  Today I worked 5 hours and 15 minutes.

Editor’s note: Frank Reske, III is a freshman at Unity College in Maine. His major is Captive Wildlife Care and Education. Frank volunteered at the National Marine Life Center over his spring break as part of a community service project for school. He has also applied to be a summer intern at NMLC. This is part 3 of 3 journal entries he wrote as part of his spring break project.

Humpback Whale. Photo by Capt. John Boats

Friday, April 23
11:15 am
Plymouth Town Wharf

Join us on the first Whale Watch of the season! Capt. John Boats in Plymouth will take us out to the beautiful Stellwagen Banks National Marine Sanctuary to look for these majestic animals. Will we see Humpback Whales? Minke Whales? Dolphins? Sea Birds? The anticipation is part of the fun. Naturalists aboard will help us learn about the wildlife we see.

Humpback Whale. Photo by Capt. John Boats

The whale watch is also part of a Jr. Tech workshop on Marine Animal Behavior.  Students aboard the vessel will be learning to identify and describe whale behavior.  For those who are interested in participating along with the students, we’ll have extra worksheets!

Dress very warmly in layers, including a waterproof layer. Don’t forget to bring your camera and binoculars! Food is available on board. Click here for information on what to bring and what to wear.

Special price for National Marine Life Center!

North Atlantic Right Whale. Right Photo by Capt. John Boats.

$25/members, $35/non-members.
RSVP to nmlc@nmlc.org or 508-743-9888.
Or, purchase your ticket online using Google Checkout (see below).

Atlantic Harbor Seal. Photo by Capt. John Boats.

Matt recently presented the game, along with a lesson plan and worksheet, to NMLC staff and volunteers.  Of course, we had to try it out!  After a vigorous competition, the “Red-Bellied Cooter” team edged out the “Diamondback Terrapin” team.

During his winter-term internship, Matt assisted with education programs including the after school program at Hyannis West.  He helped care for the red-bellied cooters hatchlings, the diamondback terrapin hatchlings, and Patty.  He also assisted with facilities projects and admin projects.  Animal Care Coordinator Brian Moore stated he appreciated Matt’s versatility.  Outreach Coordinator Joanne Nicholson said Matt was “very good with the kids at Hyannis West” and it was great to have someone to help with education programs.

As Matt’s internship wound to a close, we interviewed him about his experience.

NMLC:  What year are you in school and what is your major?
Matt:  I’m a junior, majoring in Marine Safety and Environmental Protection.

NMLC:  What do you want to be when you grow up?
Matt:  An environmental protection officer on a cruise ship, or an officer in the Navy.

NMLC:  What was your favorite part of the internship?
Matt:  Getting to know everyone and working with the turtles.

NMLC:  Who were your favorite turtles?
Matt:  Red-bellied cooter #6, and diamondback terrapin #8.

NMLC:  What was your favorite education craft project?
Matt:  The seal gift bags.

NMLC:  And your least favorite?
Matt:  Anything with glitter!

NMLC:  What was the best question you were asked in an education program?
Matt:  Is the diamondback snack related to the diamondback terrapin?  [NO!]

NMLC:  What was the most valuable skill you learned?
Matt:  Communication!

Thank you, Matt!

We are accepting applications for summer education interns; please click here for information.  Applications are due to Joanne Nicholson by Wednesday, March 31.

Click here for pdf internship announcement

We had two wonderful interns for the summer of 2009.  Our two interns were Amanda Chilson currently a sophomore at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island and Chelsea Scudder currently a senior at St. Mary’s College in Maryland.  Over the three months with the National Marine Life Center Amanda and Chelsea became like staff.  We were able to rely on them to oversee volunteers, run education programs and also take care of the patients we had. Amanda and Chelsea both designed projects for our summer Discovery Center and Education Programs.

Chelsea remarked about her internship, “As for the internship it was an awesome way to spend my summer. I learned so much about taking care of the animals and maintaining water quality.  Everyone at NMLC was incredibly nice and knowing I was contributing to helping the animals make it back to the wild was a highly rewarding feeling.”

Below are pictures of Amanda during an education program and Chelsea’s project from Summer 2009. Thank you ladies!

Amanda reading to a group of captivated children during Whale Week 2009

Chelsea designed, painted and constructed this board! Many children and adults have become a sea turtle, seal or whale! Thanks Chelsea!

Education Internship

The National Marine Life Center (NMLC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of stranded sea turtles, seals, dolphins, porpoises, and small whales, and to advance scientific knowledge and education in marine wildlife health and conservation.

Responsibilities

Education interns will assist with environmental education programs, including on-site programs, off-site programs, fairs, and festivals.  Interns will assist in giving public presentations to guests of NMLC to educate them on marine animals, conservation, and NMLC. Interns will be in charge of maintaining a coastal critter tank, including maintaining water quality, collecting and identifying the coastal animals.  Other duties include, but are not limited to, assisting in the gift shop, assist with various office projects, creating displays for the exhibit center, and helping to create lesson plans and activities that are aligned with the Massachusetts State Frameworks. Each intern will work on a project; at the end of the internship the intern will present the project to the staff, volunteers and public members, this project will be aligned with the Massachusetts State Frameworks. There maybe an opportunity for hands on work with the patients of National Marine Life Center, but is not promised. Positions are unpaid.

Qualifications

• The internship is open to students who are currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an accredited college or university.
• Preference will be given to students or recent graduates working towards biology, environmental studies, education, or other related fields.
• Intern should demonstrate good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Students that are adaptable, responsible, hard working, willing to learn, and have an attention to detail are encouraged to apply.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Interns must be able to commit to at least three months, start and end dates are flexible due to school schedules.  Summer interns should be available around May 25th – around September 1^st.
• Interns must work a minimum of 20-40 hours per week.
• Must have own transportation.  Housing is not provided, but NMLC will offer suggestions.

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter, resume, and a letter of recommendation by March 31, 2010 to:

Joanne Nicholson
Executive Assistant & Outreach Coordinator
National Marine Life Center
120 Main Street, P.O. Box 269
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
jnicholson@nmlc.org
phone: (508) 743-9888
fax: (508) 759-5477
www.nmlc.org