Sea Turtles

Honu Recre educational program

Honu Recre is an educational program oriented on marine turtles available for all primary schools of Polynesia. Its contents have been designed according to the national educational standards, and validated by the DEP (Department of Primary Schools) of French Polynesia.

 

The duration and contents of the program vary according to the level of the class (maximum 2h30 long).

The first part presents the “world of turtles”, and gives the opportunity to learn about the differences between turtles living in the sea, in freshwater or on the land. The children are taught that turtles are reptiles, and compare their characteristics with those of marine mammals such as dolphins.

After that, they learn how to distinguish the two species most frequently seen in Polynesia: green turtles and hawksbill turtles.

The kids then get together in small groups of 4-6 to play various games and activities: a good way to learn more while having fun.

The educator then talks about protection of environment, and takes everybody to the Turtles’ Clinic for an unforgettable visit. The children get introduced to the turtles present at the Clinic, and ask their questions to the caretaker.

A “real size” game (turtles’ trek) explains the sea turtles’ life cycle (reproduction, egg-laying, hatchlings) and the main threats: killing for the meat, urbanisation, pollution…

The last part of the program is the visit of the sea turtle clinic in order to discover the turles in cares and try to recognize the different species seen.

 

For any inquiry about Honu Récré or for booking, please contact:
Vie Jourdan – Education Officer, te mana o te moana
tel: 56.40.11 – vie.temana@gmail.com

 

 

Honu Chest, A specific toolkit based on sea turtles…

 

The Honu (“sea turtle” in tahitian language) toolkit is a  free educational toolkit based on marine turtles and available since 2009 on to all Polynesian schools. It is also distributed on a DVD and has been officially recognized and validated  by the Department for Primary Schools, certifying that its contents matches with the official school program of French Polynesia.

 

Objectives

Te mana o te moana created the “Honu toolkit” to provide schools and teachers with the necessary tools to increase awareness of future generations on the conservation of sea turtles and French Polynesia’s natural heritage.

While studying this program, educators should encourage students to share their acquired knowledge with their families, who, in turn, might commit to the sea turtle conservation effort.

Ultimately, the goal of this program is to contribute to the preservation of sea turtles, by reducing their anthropogenic threats, such as the consumption of sea turtle meat or eggs, use of their shell, and marine pollution.

 

Contents

The toolkit has been developed in collaboration with the Department for Primary Schools of Moorea-Maiao. The “Honu toolkit” is intended for elementary and primary school students (Kindergarten through 6th grade).

Two exemplaries of the “Honu toolkit” chests are available for schools since the beginning of the school year 2009/2010.  The first chest is intended for the schools in Tahiti and Moorea, while the second one will travel around the other archipelagos.

Each Primary school of French Polynesia can get for free an exemplary of the Honu chest during a month or more, in order to work within the class on an educational project based on sea turtle conservation.

The honu toolkit comprises:

• more than 30 educational tools (books, educational games, posters, DVD and other educational resources), to provide educators with a multitude of activities that can be adapted to various grade levels
• a teacher’s guidebook composed of scientific and educational parts
• an exercise book

 

 

The Honu Chest on a DVD

This project was also designed to incorporate already existing media developed by worldwide partners and teaching aids on sea turtles, on a bilingual DVD (French-English).

This DVD will spread interest within the educational network, and thus raise awareness for an increasing numbers of students on the protection of sea turtles in French Overseas Departments and Territories along with the other islands of the South Pacific (with the help of the SPREP).

 

Financial support

This project has been realized in 2009 thanks to the financial support of : Nature et Découvertes Foundation, the FFEM (Fonds francais pour l’Environnement Mondial), the Pacific BeachComber SA, the Moorea Dolphin Center, the Ministry of Environment and Vini.

 

For any inquiry about Honu Chest or for booking, please contact:
Vie Jourdan – Education Officer, te mana o te moana
tel: 56.40.11 – temanaotemoana@mail.pf

 

 

Posters for the campaign “Sea turtles and Climate Change“

 

As part of a Conservation and Education project, te mana o te moana has worked on a synthesis on “Climate changes and Sea turtles”. A special poster on Climate change and 4 posters were created in order to educate children about the necessity to protect Marine Biodiversity.

Posters were offered for free to schools and to the public during many environmental events and educational programs.

This project benefited from the financial support of IFRECOR (French Initiative for Corals Reefs).

Download the posters:

Poster 1 Sea turtle and climate Change te mana o te moana

Poster 2 Sea turtle and climate Change te mana o te moana

Poster 3 Sea turtle and climate Change te mana o te moana

Poster 4 Sea turtle and climate Change te mana o te moana

 

 

A Coloring book on sea turtles

 

The coloring book on sea turtles created by the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) in Hawaii, has been translated into French by te mana o te moana. It is now available in Tahitian language as well and can be dowload below:

 

 

 

 

 

The IOSEA “Sea Turtles – Our Ocean Ambassadors” DVD