Almost 70 miles west of Key West lies Dry Tortugas National Park. This 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands.  You can only get there by boat or seaplane! The park is known all over the world as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, beautiful blue waters, lots of coral reefs and marine life, and the tons of bird life that visit the area!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies  mini spark recording page #24: Dry Tortugas National Park

2. Read this information page about Dry Tortugas National Park. Record several details about the park on your recording sheet.

3.  Watch this video and respond to these questions:  Describe the design features of Fort Jefferson that make it unique compared to other forts? What types of wildlife can be found in the Dry Tortugas, specifically on Hospital Key?
Why is Loggerhead Key important for turtle nesting, and what historical events took place there

4. There are around 300 shipwrecks in this area. Read this teaching page about the Windjammer Wreck. Take number notes while reading. Reminder: Number notes are recording all of the number facts/details that you come across in an article.

5. Share your social studies mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.