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Sanibel six-graders lead, inspire at Annual Shell Festival

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Thirty-one sixth-graders from The Sanibel School joined the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum at the 82nd Annual Sanibel Shell Festival to educate visitors about the importance of shell creators: mollusks.

Leigh Gay, outreach coordinator with the museum, was very impressed by the students’ enthusiasm, teaching ability and willingness to volunteer.

“Some students even came back for more than one shift because of how much fun they were having,” she said.

Gay and Nancy McDole, the sixth-graders’ teacher, guided the students through their initial jitters and nervousness. By the end of their three-hour shifts, each student had a favorite tank and was delighted to educate visitors of all ages about mollusk feeding habits, reproduction and behavior.

Gay looks forward to working with the the school again for next year’s festival and hopes that this year’s students continue to pursue their passion for learning and the environment.

For more information, visit www.ShellMuseum.org/education or email lgay@shellmuseum.org.