On April 20, at the request of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) coordinator for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools South Carolina/Fort Stewart/DoDDS-Cuba District, MAREX participated in the first annual STEMposium held at Diamond Elementary School located on the Fort Stewart Army Base. MAREX staff led more than 100 fourth-grade students in creating and testing versions of the elementary Basic Observation Buoy pilot project. The project is funded by the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observation Regional Association.

To find out more: Marine Extension Service

On February 12, the first class of the Athens Peer Court (APC) graduated. A collaboration among Fanning, the Athens–Clarke County Juvenile Court, and UGA Law, the APC is intended to promote behavioral change and reduce recidivism among first-time youth offenders. Youth volunteers receive training on the legal system, restorative justice, and leadership skills to serve as role models and mentors. Thirteen students from local high schools completed 14 hours of training, culminating in a mock hearing demonstration for families. The volunteers learned how to interview a client, conduct a direct examination, and write and deliver opening and closing statements. Emily Boness facilitated the graduation.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

On October 15, 2011, the Marine Extension Service showcased the newly designed “Horseshoe Crab Discovery” as one of the many hands-on learning sessions for the public that took place during the annual Skidaway Marine Science Day. Designed to engage audiences of all ages and interests, the activity provided an opportunity for participants to learn about horseshoe crabs and their role in natural coastal systems. They held and touched live horseshoe crabs, counted the number of legs, determined male from female horseshoe crabs, looked for their book gills, and learned about their blue blood. In addition to learning horseshoe crab anatomy, participants walked away with a better understanding of the ecological and economic importance of horseshoe crabs living along Georgia’s coast.

To find out more: Marine Extension Service

On October 15, 2011, the 10th annual Skidaway Marine Science Day was held at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium and surrounding campus. More than 2,000 people attended the four-hour public and family-oriented event, which was a collaborative effort among Skidaway Marine Science Campus partners ( UGA Marine Extension Service, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, and Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary) with activities that included a lecture on sea turtles, coastal reptiles, a shark dissection, horseshoe and phytoplankton discovery labs, and behind-the-scenes aquarium tours.

To find out more: Marine Extension Service

On September 24, 2011, the UGA-Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP) Academic Adventures program recorded the largest enrollment in the program’s history. A total of 127 gifted fifth and sixth grade students from around the state visited the Athens campus to study advanced topics with UGA faculty members, graduate students, and instructors. Courses were held across the UGA campus, and covered a wide variety of topics including robotics, medicine, physics, neuroscience, graphic design, screenwriting, and animation. The Georgia Center offers this program in partnership with the College of Education’s Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development and the Duke University Talent Identification Program.

To find out more: Georgia Center for Continuing Education |

On September 23-24, 2011, Maritza Soto Keen facilitated The Padres e Hijos Weekend held at the University of Georgia. Twenty-one academically prepared high school seniors and their families attended. Interim Vice President for Institutional Diversity Michelle Garfield Cook delivered the welcoming address and UGA senior and Padres alumna Andrea Giraudo was the student presenter. Students and their families learned about the college admission and financial aid processes, dialogued with faculty and staff about first-year university programs, toured the university, and interacted with current UGA students. The goal of the program is to increase the diversity of high school seniors who are competitive when applying to UGA.

To find out more: Fanning Institute

In September 2011, the Marine Extension Center and Aquarium (MECA) Summer Marine Science Camp Program was a featured story in Georgia Magazine, circulation of 200,000 households. http://uga.edu/gm/ee/index.php?issue/2011/09/.

To find out more: Marine Extension Service

On July 11-15 and 18-22, 2011, respectively, two sessions of summer camp were held for the Sweet Pea Club for 3-4-year-olds and the Garden Explorers for rising fourth to seventh graders. Day campers experienced age appropriate week-long adventures and learned about garden earth while exploring the natural and cultivated areas of the Garden.

To find out more: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

On June 22, 2011, Marine Extension Water Quality Program Coordinator Katy Smith participated in the Marshes of Glynn Girl Scout Summer Camp program. During six 40-minute sessions of 20-40 girls each, varying in age from first grade to high school, the Plastics in the Ocean – Linking Water Quality to Sustainability theme was addressed. Smith discussed how plastic debris is affecting marine animals as well as humans and highlighted simple actions that individuals can take to make a difference in protecting the environment.

To find out more: Marine Extension Service

On June 6, 2011, the YWCA of Brunswick “Young Women’s Career Adventure” participants visited the UGA Marine Extension Service’s Brunswick, Georgia, office for the 11th consecutive year. Water Quality Program Coordinator Katy Smith spoke to the rising eighth grade participants about Plastics in the Ocean and Linking Water Quality to Sustainability. Smith and the group of approximately 20 girls discussed the availability of recycling options in Glynn County from the county’s “put all you can in the blue can” program to Publix grocery stores’ collection of Styrofoam trays for recycling.

To find out more: Marine Extension Service

During June 2011, four sessions of Garden Earth Nature Camp for 5-8-year-olds were held. Day-campers experienced week-long adventures and learned about garden earth while exploring the natural and cultivated areas of the Garden.

To find out more: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

In June 2011, Washington County community leaders identified a model to assess current available programming for children and youths in Washington County in an effort to highlight gaps in programs and services that help address ongoing social issues in the community.

To find out more: Archway Partnership

During June 2011, the Georgia Center for Continuing Education’s Summer Academy @UGA program offered 13 specialty enrichment camps on a wide variety of subjects, including Aviation, Mini Medical School, Video Game Design, Mock Trial, Fashion Design, and more. At each camp, students spent the week with expert instructors, exploring specialty topics in dynamic and hands-on learning environments. Over the course of the month, Summer Academy@UGA served 209 students, including 78 overnight students, with more camps scheduled for July.

To find out more: Georgia Center for Continuing Education |

On May 23, 2011, the State Botanical Garden announced that it will participate in Let's Move! Museums and Gardens, an initiative supported by first lady Michelle Obama and national museum and botanical garden leaders that aims to engage 20 million young people in activities and programs in 2012.

To find out more: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

On May 3, 2011, the Office of Service-Learning hosted a day-long workshop for local K-12 teachers to learn how to construct, maintain, and utilize school gardens as a venue for service-learning with their students. Thirty participants from local public and private schools and UGA met with horticulture professor David Berle and his graduate assistants for a hands-on session at the horticulture greenhouses and UGArden site on South Milledge Avenue. They constructed compost bins and raised beds for gardens, learned about planting basics, greenhouse use, and how to integrate gardening into their curriculum.

To find out more: Office of Service-Learning

On May 8-13, 2011, the top 32 Georgia Science and Engineering Fair (GSEF) winners advanced to the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, California. The three-day state finals of the 63rd GSEF, coordinated by the Georgia Center for Continuing Education, were held at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia, in April. Winners from more than 210 local fairs advanced to 22 regional fairs, then the 662 regional winners competed in Athens. The Georgia Science Fair System encourages every Georgia middle and high school student to isolate and solve problems through logical thought and scientific research.

To find out more: Georgia Center for Continuing Education |