DOVER — Delaware has long been known for its state bird, the blue hen. There is also the lesser-known grey fox, Delaware’s official state animal. Since Delaware is a coastal state, what about the official state sea turtle?

There isn’t one, yet. That’s where Sen. Stephanie Hansen comes in.

To raise awareness about the environment and aquatic life among Delaware students, Sen. Hansen worked with the Delaware Department of Education, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute to launch a new initiative this spring called the Delaware State Sea Turtle Project.

There are four components to this initiative

• Lesson plans specific to each grade level, K-12

• An essay contest for high schoolers

• An art contest open to students in K-12

• An official vote for Delaware students to select the state sea turtle, which will be codified with legislation in June

“It is more important than ever that we teach students about the environment right here in Delaware, the variety and fragility of the species that depend upon us, and spark an interest in environmentalism at a young age,” said Sen. Hansen, D-Middletown. “Unlike reading straight from a textbook, this initiative doesn’t simply teach students about the environment. It combines science with art, critical thinking, civic involvement, and writing in a hands-on way that will really help students retain what they are learning.”

DOE and the MERR Institute have provided all Delaware teachers with grade-level specific sea turtle lesson plans. These age-appropriate lessons are free for any Delaware educator to download online.

Between now and May 1, all Delaware high schoolers are eligible to participate in the Delaware State Sea Turtle Essay Contest.

Students must write an argument essay on one of the four sea turtles that visit Delaware’s coastlines (green, loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley or leatherback) and present their opinion as to which should be named the official state sea turtle. Essays must be 500 words or less, double spaced and submitted in 12-point font in a PDF format, with a short bibliography. Prizes will be awarded to the top winners.

All K-12 students are invited to create and submit 3-D sea turtles as part of an art contest to help celebrate Delaware’s new state sea turtle. Turtles must be made from recyclable materials and submitted to students’ art teachers no later than May 1.

Prizes will be awarded to the top winners, while the winning turtle projects will be displayed at the Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover and Blue Ball Barn in Alapocas from May 20 to June 13. Top projects will also be celebrated at the anticipated bill signing and awards presentation at Legislative Hall scheduled for June 17.

Between May 1 and May 15, all K-12 students will be able to cast their vote online to help determine which sea turtle will become the official Delaware state sea turtle. Once the votes are cast and a winner is selected, legislation will be sponsored by Sen. Hansen and Rep. Debra Heffernan in June to honor the winning turtle.

For more information, visit here.