Thomas County second graders in LeAnn Roddenberry’s class at Garrison-Pilcher Elementary School reaped the benefits of their teacher’s shelling trip to the 10,000 Islands in Florida.

Roddenberry brought back shells that she hand-selected for each of her students:  Olives, Florida Fighting Conchs, and Lightning Whelks. An accompanying lesson included how shells are made, the properties of the shells, and also how to identify them.

“Shelling is one of my favorite hobbies,” said Roddenberry. “It brings me joy to teach my students about these beautiful natural treasures.”

Roddenberry shares her shells and her love of collecting them with children in hopes that it will inspire them to get outdoors, enjoy nature, and put something unique into their hands and homes.