
“Virtual Exploration of Georgia’s Coastal Wetlands” is a curriculum created by UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant that is designed to connect 7th grade students to the coast from right inside their classrooms.
The curriculum will empower students to become better stewards of coastal ecosystems and watershed resources.
The curriculum features a Virtual Reality (VR) field trip to wetland sites along the Georgia coast. This field trip is at the center of a 5-lesson study of salt marsh ecology, human impacts on the environment, natural hazards, and resiliency.
There are two options for taking the virtual wetland field trip in Lesson 3:
- Teachers can reserve Oculus Quest 2 headsets for their classroom by clicking here. Quantity is limited and will be distributed on a “first come, first served” basis.
- Anyone can use the web-based version of the field trip by clicking here.

A unique feature of this curriculum is a virtual reality field trip using Oculus Quest 2 headsets.
Students can visit several coastal wetland sites along the Georgia coast and evaluate the quality of each site.
The web-based wetland field trip is accessible on any device using this link.
Getting Started
To get familiar with each lesson, it is recommended to review the curriculum at a glance booklet here.
Click here for a curriculum at a glance booklet.
Lesson 1: Welcome to the Wetland
Students will be introduced to coastal wetlands and common plants and animals that live in a Georgia salt marsh.
Materials
- Teacher Introduction Guide (PDF)
- Part 1: Welcome Video
- Part 2: Lesson 1 PowerPoint Presentation (narrated, PPT)
- Click the “Download” button on the top left hand side to download the PowerPoint from Dropbox. The narration will automatically play when you select “Slide Show” and then “Play from Start”.
- Student Worksheet (fill-in-the-blank) (PDF)
Lesson 2: Who, What, When, Where & Why of Scientific Data Collection
Students will learn the value of collecting data to monitor coastal environments and explore how they can gather data online.
Materials
- Lesson 2 PowerPoint Presentation (narrated, PPT)
- Click the “Download” button on the top left hand side to download the PowerPoint from Dropbox. The narration will automatically play when you select “Slide Show” and then “Play from Start”.
- Graphing Exercise (PDF)
- Reading Material: Wetland Surveys (PDF)
- Comprehension Questions (PDF)
Lesson 3: Virtual Wetland Exploration
Using virtual reality technology, students will visit several coastal wetland sites along the Georgia coast and evaluate the quality of each site.
Materials
- Virtual Wetland Field Trip
- The web-based wetland field trip is accessible on any device using the above link. If you would like to reserve Oculus Quest 2 headsets, please click here.
- Salt Marsh Identification Guide (PDF)
- Virtual Guide to the Salt Marshes and Tidal Creeks of the Southeastern United States
- Wetland Assessment Data Sheet (fillable PDF; can be used virtually or as a printable)
Lesson 4: Natural Hazards, Human Impacts & Adapting to Climate Change
Students will learn about the role coastal wetlands play in keeping communities resilient in the face of natural hazards.
Materials
- Lesson 4: PowerPoint Presentation (narrated, PPT)
- Click the “Download” button on the top left hand side to download the PowerPoint from Dropbox. The narration will automatically play when you select “Slide Show” and then “Play from Start”.
- Extension: NOAA “Natural Infrastructure” handout (PDF)
Lesson 5: Spartina Beach Activity
Students will work in groups, acting as different members of a model coastal community, to apply solutions aimed to enhance the community’s resilience to natural hazards.
Materials
- Teacher Instructions (PDF)
- Student Instructions (PDF)
- Lesson 5: PowerPoint presentation: Stakeholder and Solutions Cards (PDF)
- Lesson 5 PowerPoint Presentation: Spartina Beach Classroom Slides (maps, sample worksheet and resilience ratings) (PDF)
- Printable Material: Worksheets 1-4 (PDF)
- Printable Material: Money (PDF)
Supplemental Resources
- Glossary
- How To Guide for Oculus Quest 2 Headset and Site Guide for Virtual Field Trip (PPT)
- Click the “Download” button on the top left hand side to download the PowerPoint from Dropbox.
- Water Quality Info Sheet
- Answer Sheet: Lesson 1 fill-in-the-blank
- Answer Sheet: Lesson 2 comprehension questions
Education Standards
This curriculum was designed following Next Generation Science Standards for middle grades and has been tested in coastal Georgia schools. The below booklet highlights the standards met through this curriculum.
Meet the Authors of the Curriculum
Nina Sassano
Educator and Intern Coordinator, University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for their contributions to curriculum development:
- Rocket Club for their generous donation
- Luke Roberson, former Adopt-A-Wetland Coordinator, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
- Jill Gambill, Coastal Community Resilience Specialist, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
- 2021 – 2022 Marine Education Fellows and Education Faculty, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
- UNCW MarineQuest
Contact Us
Please email communications@secoora.org if you have any questions.