Manatee Education Materials
Students:
Materials for Students: Students can print information from any of the SMC web site pages to use for school projects or reports. You can also download our free Manatee Facts sheet, coloring and activity book, and public awareness brochures at our Manatee Materials page (pdf format) . However, if you are not able to print information from the web site or download the pdf files, you can e-mail us at education@savethemanatee.org and request a "student education packet." These packets are available free to K-12 or college-level students. Be sure to give your name, postal address and grade level.
And be sure to check out the Cool Manatee Stuff section of our web site. You can see manatee video, listen to manatee sounds, take a quiz, view a slide show, send postcards with manatee facts, and more!
Manatee And Dugong Bibliography: The Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History has an online bibliography that lists printed publications relating to manatees or dugongs. The bibliography is divided into three categories: technical, general, and periodicals. Several references are also available for young students in the general and periodical categories. A great resource for projects or reports!
More Manatee-Related Web Sites: You can find other manatee-related web sites and career advice for future marine mammal scientists at our Manatee Links page.
All Educators:
Manatees: An Educator's Guide (6th Edition) is available free for educators. This publication includes information on the natural history and habitat of manatees in Florida as well as information on sirenians of the world. Threats to survival, research and conservation issues are also addressed, and the guide includes a section on classroom resources and activities. You can download a free copy of the educator's guide and 8-page insert (pdf format).
Educators (including homeschools) may also receive the guide by sending their request by mail to:
Save the Manatee Club
500 N. Maitland Ave.
Maitland, FL 32751 USA
Please include a self-addressed 9 X 12" stamped envelope that has US $1.83 in postage on it. Educators living outside the U.S.: please send a self-addressed 9 X 12" envelope with postage appropriate for a 5.2 oz package.
Manatees: A Coloring and Activity Book. For elementary school students. Produced by the Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council and Save the Manatee Club. You can download a free copy of the coloring and activity book (pdf format)
Elementary school educators (including homeschools) may receive a free copy (along with an educator's guide) by sending a request by mail to Save the Manatee Club (see address above) and a self-addressed 9 X 12" envelope that has US $2.07 in postage on it. Educators living outside the U.S. please send a self-addressed 9 X 12" envelope with postage appropriate for a 6.5 oz package. We can only provide one coloring book per teacher, but xerox copies are permitted for students.
Educator Discount for the Adopt-A-Manatee® Program. U.S. school groups or classes can adopt an endangered manatee for a special discounted rate of US$20 through the Club. School groups outside the United States can adopt a manatee for the international rate of US$25. Visit www.savethemanatee.org/adoptpag.htm
Videotape: "Manatee Messages: What You Can Do!" An educational videotape for students and teachers produced by Save the Manatee Club with assistance from the Florida Advisory Council on Environmental Education. This VHS video provides a description of manatees, and includes information on their behavior and habitat. Conservation information, and what students can do to help save manatees from extinction is also included. "Manatee Messages" is approximately 12 minutes in length and is available in elementary (grades K-5) and secondary (grades 6-12) formats. It has been distributed to schools throughout the state of Florida, so Florida educators should check their district media center for availability. Educators outside of Florida and other interested parties may purchase "Manatee Messages: What You Can Do!" by sending a check or money order for US$9 by mail to SMC (see address above).
Videotape: "Manatees: Species in Peril." A joint project between Save the Manatee Club (SMC) and International Video Projects of Florida. The video features beautiful underwater footage of manatees at Blue Spring State Park, Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, and other areas in Florida. Viewers can learn about manatees, the conservation efforts designed to protect them, and what they can do to save manatees for future generations. The video is approximately 45-minutes long and is suitable for high school students or adults. It has been distributed to schools throughout the state of Florida, so Florida educators should check their district media center for availability. Educators outside of Florida and other interested parties may purchase a VHS videotape for $17.95 or a DVD version for $24.95 online at www.savethemanatee.org/manateegifts.htm or by calling Save the Manatee Club's toll-free number at 1-800-432-JOIN (5646).
DVD: Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program
The Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program (MRRP) is a statewide effort in Florida to educate the public on the problems caused by monofilament line left in the environment, encourage recycling through a network of line recycling bins and drop-off locations, and conduct volunteer monofilament line clean up events. (Save the Manatee Club is an MRRP member.) The DVD is an introduction to the program, a summary of the problem, and the solution. It is 15-minutes long and was produced by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Available free of charge to educators. To request a copy, please e-mail your name, school or organization (if any), and regular mailing address to education@savethemanatee.org.
Florida Educators:
Teacher In-Service Programs. Save the Manatee Club offers free in-service program on the West Indian manatee to educators throughout Florida. Various scheduling restrictions apply. In-services are available in 2-4 hour time blocks and cover physiology, behavior, reproduction, habitat, range, related species, mortality/endangered status, and ways we can all help. For more information, contact education@savethemanatee.org
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