by Lauren Mayerle
Grade 3 - Clifford Math & Technology Magnet School
Honorable Mention
January 31, 2017
Dear Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
I care very much about animals. I love animals because they are part of the environment. Especially sea animals because they are cool, and we still do not know much about what happens under the sea. Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are vulnerable and endangered. They are the largest turtles on the planet. There are less than 100,000 females in the world. The males are unknown. In Mexico, in 1986, there were 6,500 nests, but by 1993 there were only 50!
Leatherback turtles are vulnerable because of trash. When we throw trash in the ocean, we do not think that the turtles and other sea creatures can get caught in or swallow the trash. For example, sometimes the turtles think that a grocery bag is a jellyfish and eat it. Then the turtles think they are full, they stop eating, and eventually die. I would like to tell you my idea that will help save them.
My idea is to pick up trash in the ocean and not hurt the animals. I think we could build an underwater vacuum cleaner that can attach to boats. The vacuum will have the control buttons and warning system in the bridge. The vacuum tube would be underwater and can be made longer or shorter depending on where the trash is. The bottom of the vacuum tube will have scanners so we do not suck up the animals. The scanners will check if the object is a piece of trash or an animal. If it is an animal the warning system will turn on and the vacuum can be closed from the bridge. My invention is called SATURN (SAve TURtles Now) . My invention can help all sea animals and humans too. More sea life means beautiful reefs and more food for all.
There are current rules that are trying to help the turtles. There are trade regulations, nest and hatchling protection rules, and rules for fishing nets.These rules do not affect my invention because my invention can go underwater and it is a real machine.
I think we could put SATURN on cruise ships because they go all over the world. That means we can clean the oceans all over the world. The government will make a rule for the ships to have SATURN and pay for SATURN.
I hope you like my idea and someday I hope my idea will be a real invention.
Sincerely,
Future scientist and animal lover
References
Kasnoff, Craig. Leatherback Sea Turtle An Endangered Species.
Retrieved from http://www.bagheera.com/inthewild/van_anim_turtle.htm
National Geographic. Leather Sea Turtles. Retrieved from http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/leatherback-sea-turtle/#leatherback-sea-turtle-surf-ocean-beach.jpg
Our Endangered World. Leather Sea Turtles. Retrieved from http://www.ourendangeredworld.com/species/reptiles/leatherback-sea-turtle/
Oceanic Society. Leatherback Sea Turtles. Retrieved from http://www.seeturtles.org/leatherback-turtles/