School Kids Experience Life as Turtle Rangers in Bali

On December 16–17, 2024, we hosted a sea turtle education event with 100 first-to third-grade students from Aruna Vidya Elementary School. This initiative reflects our commitment to developing educational methods that provide hands-on learning about sea turtle conservation without disrupting their natural cycles.

The event began with a lively introduction to the sea turtle life cycle through songs, followed by a basic overview of sea turtle species and their habitats. Each child received an activity journal to note down fascinating discoveries throughout the program.

The highlight of the event was an interactive storytelling session using simulation and adventure-based learning. The children enthusiastically participated in activities where they acted as sea turtle rangers. They engaged in role-play arguments, identified sea turtle track replicas, relocated mock sea turtle nests, and defended them from a fictional poacher character. Additionally, children are invited to take real action, such as engaging in beach cleaning activities.

A special moment occurred when Kimi, YPI’s hawksbill turtle mascot, made an appearance at the end of the event. During this session, the children were encouraged to satisfy their curiosity by asking Kimi questions about sea turtles. They also shared their commitment to protecting sea turtles. “Even though I’m just a kid, I can help save sea turtles by learning about the environment and not littering in the ocean!” one of them said proudly.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to 11 amazing volunteers—Dinda, Abella, Ratu, Istya, Kina, Sony, Gita, Ika, Sita, Rama, and Rahmah—whose contributions were instrumental in the success of this event.

We’re incredibly proud of the children’s enthusiasm and active participation in this program. Indonesian Sea Turtle Foundation (YPI) hopes that this experience sparks a lifelong love for sea turtles and a deep commitment to protecting their habitats!