Virtual Exploration of Georgia’s Coastal Wetlands

“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.

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) 

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)

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)

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) 

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)

Nina Sassano
Educator and Intern Coordinator, University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant

Katy Smith
Water Quality Program Coordinator, University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant