8th Grade 

PGCPS' William S. Schmidt Center has partnered with Maryland Environmental Services (MES) who work on behalf of the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) to manage the TERP Program. 

Prior to the restoration of the Paul S. Sarbanes Ecosystem Restoration Project at Poplar Island, the amount of available terrapin habitat had declined significantly in the Chesapeake Bay. Within the first years of operations on the island, terrapin nests were discovered in the sandy areas of the project.

In response to these terrapins nesting on Poplar Island, a research project began in 2005, in which terrapin hatchlings are placed in local schools. During their time in the classroom, these turtles grow to the size of a 3- to 5-year-old wild terrapin. By giving their hatchlings a “head start,” Maryland students hopefully give these terrapins a better chance of survival once they’re released back into the wild on Poplar Island. 

All measurements gathered by the students are used in a research program conducted by Dr. Willem Roosenburg of Ohio University. In addition, prior to their release back into the Bay from Poplar Island, the terrapins receive a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag, which is similar to a pet’s microchip. This tag allows the researchers to identify the turtles if they are recaptured, helping to assess the effectiveness of the Head Start Program.

Head start terrapins are collected as they hatch on Poplar in August/September and distributed to schools in early fall. Terrapins are released to Poplar from April through June.