School
Field Trip Programs
School
field trips to Phinizy Swamp Nature Park are the central education service
the Academy offers to the community. Programs are designed to coordinate
with the unique natural wonders the Nature Park has to offer -- habitat
diversity, water quality issues, and organisms adapted to wetlands are
the central focus of many of the programs. Programs are also coordinated
with current state science standards to make sure they support classroom
learning. Taking your class on a field trip to Phinizy Swamp Nature Park,
however, is more than meeting education standards. It is about teaching
every child in the community the beauty of nature and the value of being
a good environmental citizen.
K-12• Field Trips
• Workshops
Undergraduate/Graduate
Programs Public
Education• Swampmobile
• Kids Clubs
• Summer Camps
• Visitors Center
Teachers who are preparing for a field trip to the Nature Park can download all necessary information from this page. Your confirmation letter should contain a list of the items we consider necessary for your field trip. Make sure to scroll to the bottom of the page so you don't miss anything important! If you are confused about any of the information or need to ask us a question, call our offices at 706-828-2109, or e-mail us at info@naturalsciencesacademy.org.
As stated in the confirmation
letter, at least two weeks notice for a cancellation is necessary for us to
re-fill your date from our wait list, so please let us know if you need to
cancel your field trip!
Liability Forms
(EVERYONE must have a signed form for the Nature Park staff to collect the day of the field trip)
Information
Sheet
This fact sheet will give you information on what to bring and what to expect
the day of your field trip. You can print this form and send it home to parents
as well.
Booking Procedures and Cancellation Policy
Use this to assist in your field trip preparations.
Teacher
Checklist
Use this to assist in your field trip preparations.
Directions
to the Nature Park
Large Group Staging Instructions Groups with more than 50 students will be split in half. Half of the group will participate in the Nature Park program, while the other half will participate in teacher led on-site activities and eat lunch. The groups will then switch. Please note that on-site activities are not staffed by Academy personnel.
High School Programs
Please note that High School programs are split into three one hour sessions with a 30 minute lunch break unless otherwise indicated. Students will be divided into three evenly numbered groups. Academy staff will determine splits in groups with less than 30 students. Field trips can be modified into an all-day format if desired. Extended field trips provide a more in-depth study opportunity. Please contact Academy office for more details.
Wetland Ecology (limit 50 students)
Our country’s wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. This field trip allows students to study these important habitats firsthand in order to better understand their incredible value to the health of our planet. Sessions involve students in wetland delineation activities focusing on wetland plants, soils, and hydric regime. The students will also explore Augusta’s own constructed wetlands. This is an excellent introduction to ecological issues for general ecology or biology students.
GPS: SB4, SB5, SSWG1, SSWG2, SCSh1, SCSh3, SCSh4, SCSh8, SEV3, SEV5, AG-BAS3, BCS-LEB12, ENGR-STEM2, S7L4, ENGR-EA5
S.C. Science Standards: PS-3.8; B-6.5, 6.6; ES-5.1, 5.8
Teacher Preparation Guide coming soon.
Program Rubric
Stream Ecology (limit 50 students)
Have you ever considered the health of your local stream? Students will use a variety of ecological techniques to assess the health of Butler Creek, including biological sampling and classification of aquatic macroinvertebrates, examining water quality issues utilizing chemical testing, and collecting data on the physical aspects of the stream including bank structure and stream flow. This program integrates with the goals of the Academy’s Savannah River at Risk Initiatives.
GPS: SC5, SC7, SP1, SPS6, SPS8, SB4, SB5, SCSh1, SCSh2, SCSh3, SCSh4, SCSh5, SCSh8
S.C. Science Standards : PS-1.3,1.6, 1.9, 3.8; B-1.2, 1.3, 1.9, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, 6.6; ES-5.2, 5.6, 5.8
Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric
Watershed Ecology (limit 50 students) New Program!
We all live in a watershed and most of our watersheds have been impacted by people. Students will explore major watersheds in Georgia and South Carolina. Using topography maps, students will learn how to delineate different watersheds and classify stream orders. Students will work through a series of activities which will emphasize human impact in our urban watersheds and how this has changed our natural watersheds. This program integrates with the goals of the Academy’s Savannah River at Risk Initiatives SM (see back page for more details).
GPS : SB4, SB5, SCSh1, SCSh3, SCSh4, SCSh5, SCSh8, SSWG1, SSWG2, SEV1, SEV3, SEV4, SEV5
S.C. Science Standards : B-6.5, 6.6; ES-5.2, 5.8
Wastewater Ecology (2 session format; limit 40 students. Call office for info.) Field trips are not available on Mondays or Fridays.
Why is it important to clean our wastewater? Students will visit the city of Augusta's wastewater plant and learn about wastewater treatment from plant officials. This field trip also includes hiking through Phinizy Swamp’s constructed wetlands , conducting chemical tests and learning about our progressive tertiary treatment. Please note that this field trip involves a significant amount of walking and booking is subject to wastewater plant restrictions.
GPS: SPS6, SB4, SC5, SC7, SCSh1, SCSh3, SCSh4, SCSh5, SCSh8, SEV3, SEV4, SEV5
S.C. Science Standards : B-6.5, 6.6; ES-5.8
Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric
Drinking Water Ecology New Program! (two session format; limit 40 students)
The demands on our Savannah River are tremendous and are growing as our population continues to grow. Students will visit Augusta’s new Hicks Water Treatment Plant to learn the ins and outs of how our drinking water is processed. In a session at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park students will explore water allocation demands on our rivers from the head waters to the mouth and how these demands affect the ecology of the river. Booking is subject to Hick’s plant restrictions. This program integrates with the goals of the Academy’s Savannah River at Risk Initiatives.
GPS: SCSh1, SCSh3, SCSh5, SEV4, SEV5, SB4
S.C. Science Standards : PS-3.2; B-6.4, 6.5, 6.6; ES-5.8; ECON-1.1, 1.2
Teacher Preparation Guide coming soon.
Program Rubric
GPS: SPS6, SB4, SC5, SC7, SCSh1, SCSh2, SCSh3, SCSh4, SCSh5, SCSh8, SEV3, SEV5
S.C. Science Standards : PS-1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.6, 1.9, 3.8; B-1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.6, 1.9, 6.2; C-1.2, 1.3, 1.6, 1.8, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8; P-1.2, 1.3, 1.6, 1.7, 1.9, 1.10; ES-1.2, 1.3, 1.6, 1.7, 1.9, 1.10
Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric
Middle School Programs
Please note that all programs are split into three 30-40 minute sessions unless otherwise indicated. Student groups of 50 or less will need to be divided into three evenly sized groups. Groups with more than 50 students will use the Large Group Staging format. All programs are 1.5-2 hours unless otherwise indicated.
Most of the Middle School field trips are more effective with groups of 50 or less. Although we allow 90 students, we highly recommend coming with smaller groups over several days if possible.
Butler Creek Blues (limit 50 students)
Have you ever considered the health of your local stream? Join us for this 3 hour field trip! Students will participate in activities that a stream ecologist might use to assess the health of stream s, including sampling and identification of aquatic macroinvertebrates and other water quality issues involving physical, biological, and chemical sampling. This program integrates with the goals of the Academy’s Savannah River at Risk Initiatives.
GPS6: E5, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS8, CS9 GPS8: CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS8, CS9
GPS7: L1, L4, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS8, CS9
GPS8: CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS8, CS9
S.C. Science Standards : Science Standards: 6-1.3, 6-3.1, 6-3.2, 7-4.3, 7-4.4, 7-4.5, 8-2.1
Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric
Hydro Mania (limit 90 students) Highly Recommended!
Earth’s water is in high demand. Some areas have too much while other areas seem to be drying up. The press for sustainability is on! Through hands-on sessions students will explore a watershed and discover water quality issues affecting our local streams which supply our drinking water. Students will gain an understanding of human impact to the water cycle and water shortage issues within their own state. This program integrates with the goals of the Academy’s Savannah River at Risk Initiatives.
GPS6: E3, E5, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS8
GPS7: L4, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS8, CS9
GPS8: CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS8, CS9
S.C. Science Standards : 6-4.2, 7-4.5
Teacher Preparation Guide coming soon.
Program Rubric
Swamp Stomp (limit 90 students)
Our country’s wetlands have been disappearing at an alarming rate. Students will examine what makes wetlands so valuable and how they can be used to solve some of the pollution issues in our watersheds. Students will become wetland delineators as they take a hands-on look at wetland plants, hydric soils and pollution issues.
GPS6: E5, CS1, CS2, CS5, CS8
GPS7: L4, CS1, CS2, CS4, CS5, CS9
GPS8: CS1, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS9
Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric
Swamp Math
Students will discover that math can be fun and is important not only for everyday life but also for scientific study. Students will collect data and formulate conclusions as they participate in population sampling, volume estimates, and basic orienteering. This is a n active field trip with many measurements that make math exciting!
GPS6: CS1, CS2, CS3, CS8, CS9, MM3, MA2, MD1
GPS7: L4, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS9, MD1, MM1, MA1
GPS8: CS1, CS3, CS4, CS9, MG1, MD3, MP4
S.C. Science Standards : 6-1.1, 6-2, 7-4.1, 7-4.3, 8-2.1
S.C. Math Standards : 6th: Number and Operations: ID, IIIA Measurement: 1A, 1B, 1C, IIA, IIB, IIC, IID, IIE Data Analysis and Probability: IA, IIIA; 7th: Number and operations: ID, IIIA; Measurement: 1A, 1B, 1C, IIA, IIB, IIC, IID, IIE; Data Analysis and Probability: IA, IIIA; 8th: Number and operations: ID, IIIA; Measurement: 1A, 1B, 1C, IIA, IIB, IIC, IID, IIE; Data Analysis and Probability: IA, IIIA
Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric
Phinizy Down Under (limit 90 students)
Do you dig soils? This field trip is designed for the true Earth Scientist! Students will get their hands dirty as they learn how to classify soil by texture and run experiments to determine different soil permeability rates. Students will engage in activities including investigating the weathering of rocks as well as rock classification by process of formation.
GPS6: E5, CS1, CS2, CS4, CS8, CS9
GPS7: L1, L4, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS8, CS9
GPS8: CS1, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS8, CS9
S.C. Science Standards : 6-1.3, 7-4.4, 8-3.4
Teacher Preparation Guide coming soon.
Program Rubric
Please note that all programs are split into three 30-40 minute sessions unless otherwise indicated. Student groups of 50 or less will need to be divided into three evenly numbered groups. Groups numbering more than 50 students will use the Large Group Staging format. All programs are 1.5-2 hours unless otherwise indicated.
The Waterdance (limit 90 students) Highly Recommended!
The Earth is known as The Water Planet and though water seems to be everywhere it is actually limited in supply, making it a precious resource. Students will explore the Water Cycle and how water moves, through a series of hands-on activities. Students will also explore a watershed and discover that mankind’s activities and demand for water has created water quality issues. This program integrates with the goals of the Academy’s Savannah River at Risk Initiatives.
GPS4: L2, E3, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS6, CS7, CS8
GPS5: E1, P2, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS6, CS7, CS8
S.C. Standards : 4-4.1; 5-3.1, 3.6
Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric
WOW! Wetlands! (limit 90 students)
Wetlands are important! Students will head to the field to explore what wetlands are and why they are so valuable. They will get their hands dirty investigating wetland soils and explore the relationship between wetland organisms and their environment. Students will form a community council and work to solve water quality issues affecting a local watershed.
GPS4: L1, L2, CS1, CS4, CS7, CS8
GPS5: L1, L4, CS1, CS4, CS7, CS8
S.C. Standards : 4-1, 4-2, 5-1, 5-2, 5-3
Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric
Bug Mania Revised Format! (limit 90 students)
Students will learn what makes a ‘bug’ an insect! Hands-on activities will explore both terrestrial and aquatic insects as students learn about their characteristics, behaviors and classification. This field trip will leave you bug-eyed in amazement over the adaptability of these wonderful animals!
GPS4: L1, L2, CS1, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS6, CS7, CS8
GPS5: L1, L4, E1, P1, CS1, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS6, CS7, CS8
S.C. Standards : 4-1, 4-2, 5-1, 5-2
Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric
Second
and Third Grade Programs
Please note that all programs are split into three 30-40 minute sessions unless otherwise indicated. Student groups of 50 or less will need to be divided into three evenly numbered groups. Groups numbering more than 50 students will use the Large Group Staging format. All programs are 1.5-2 hours unless otherwise indicated.
Splish Splash (limit 90 students) Highly Recommended!
Water is essential for life and although there is plenty of water on Earth, very little of it is available for our drinking water. Students will explore how difficult it was to live without running water in pioneer days and why we are facing water shortage problems today. Students will also investigate a wetland habitat and discover adaptations organisms living in these habitats have made in order to survive. This program integrates with the goals of the Academy’s Savannah River at Risk Initiatives.
GPS2: L1, L2, E3, P1, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS7
GPS3: L1, L2, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS8
S.C. Standards : 2-2.1 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5; 3-2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
Teacher Preparation Guide coming soon.
Program Rubric
Swamp-A-Rama (limit 90 students)
Experience the magical world of a swamp! Students will explore natural and man-made habitats as they learn how different plants and animals relate to these unique places in nature. A Habitat Hike will expose students to various environments within the Nature Park. Students will also learn about Mammal teeth and skulls and how these important body structures can reveal much about how an animal lives.
GPS2: L1, E3, CS1, CS4, CS5, CS6, ELA2LSV1
GPS3: L1, L2 CS1, CS3, CS8, ELA3LSV1
S.C. Standards : 2-2.1, 2.2, 2.4; 3-2.2, 2.3, 2.4
Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric
Swamp-A-Rama II New Program! (limit 90 students)
This field trip is especially designed for 3rd graders. Students will explore how animals and plants have adapted to live in their habitat and discover there are limiting factors that control the number of animals a habitat can support. A Habitat Hike will expose students to various environments within the Nature Park. Come and experience the magical world of a swamp!
GPS3: L1, L2, CS1, CS3, CS8, ELA3LSV1
S.C. Standards : 3-2.2, 2.3, 2.4
Teacher Preparation Guide coming soon.
Program Rubric
Froggy Frolics and Turtle Tantrums (limit 90 students)
Slippery, Slimy and Scaly? Students will explore similarities and differences between Reptiles and Amphibians, examining life cycles and adaptations. A hike focusing on Reptiles and Amphibians will allow students to look for these animals in their natural habitats. A special session on Georgia's native species will help make students aware of their important roles as stewards of the planet.
GPS2: L1, L2, E3, CS1, CS4, CS5, CS6, CS7
GPS3: L1, L2, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS8
S.C. Standards : 2-2.1, 2.2; 3-2.1, 2.2, 2.3
Teacher
Preparation Guide
Program
Rubric
Home School, Multi-Grade, Scouting & Special Needs Programs
Please note that these programs are designed for the student groups listed above, but can be modified to accommodate other groups as well. Student groups of 30-50 will need to be divided into three evenly sized groups. Groups with more than 50 students will use the Large Group Staging format. GPS requirements for these programs vary based on age and group need.
Wetland Adventure
Wetlands are incredibly valuable places, but are disappearing at alarming rates. Come discover what makes a wetland and why they are worth saving. Explore some of Phinizy Swamp Nature Park’s different wetlands. Students will learn about watersheds and discover how wetlands can solve many water quality and pollution issues.
Program Rubric
Swamp Tracks
Ever wonder what lives at the swamp? River otters? Bobcats? Raccoons? Even if we rarely see animals, there is always evidence that they have been around. Students will become nature detectives, exploring different habitats for animal evidence. Mammal characteristics will be identified and a track book for further identification will be made by students.
Program Rubric
Beaks, Feathers, and Talons, Oh My! (limit 90 students)
Join the feathered frenzy! Students will become ‘avian detectives’ as they learn to classify birds in this fun-filled field trip. They will explore natural habitats, using binoculars to sight birds and learn about field markings. Observations and communication skills will be used to solve a mystery!
GPS4 : L1, L2, CS1, CS3, CS5, CS6, CS7, CS8
GPS5 : L1, CS1, CS3, CS5, CS6, CS7, CS8
Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric
Thanks for scheduling a field trip to Phinizy Swamp Nature Park!
