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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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Field Trip Information
Teachers who are preparing for a field trip to the Nature Park can download all necessary information from this page. This information will also be emailed to you once your field trip date has been booked. If you have any questions, call the office at 706-796-7707 or e-mail us at ed@naturalsciencesacademy.org.

Liability Forms

Adult (teacher/chaperone) form
Student form

(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
Please review procedures and cancellation policy before booking your field trip.

Teacher Checklist

Use this to assist in your field trip preparations.

Directions to the Nature Park

Large Group Staging
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.

Reserve a loan box, an interactive teaching tool to compliment your educational program, by calling the Academy office at 706-796-7707!
Field Trip Information

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.  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
Our country’s wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. This field trip allows students to study these important habitats firsthand  gaining a better understand of their incredible value to the health of our planet. Sessions involve students in wetland delineation activities focusing on wetland plants, soils, and the hydric regime.  The students will also explore ecological concepts including energy transfer across trophic levels, food webs, and population growth. This is an excellent introduction to ecological issues for general ecology or biology students.
GPS: SB4, SB5, SSWG1, SSWG2, SCSh1, SCSh3, SCSh4, SCSh8, SEV1, SEV2, SEV3, SEV5
S.C. Science Standards:  B-3.6, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, 6.6; ES-5.1
Teacher Preparation Guide coming soon.
Program Rubric

Stream Ecology
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, chemical analyses using temperature, DO, and pH, and physical data collection including bank structure and stream flow. This program integrates with the goals of the Academy’s Savannah River research.
GPS: SC5, SC7, SP1, SPS6, SPS8, SB4, SB5, SCSh1, SCSh2, SCSh3, SCSh4, SCSh5, SCSh8, SEV3, SEV5
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 coming soon.
Program Rubric

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Lab Newest Program!
Macroinvertebrates are a part of every healthy stream.  Our Stream Ecology field trip includes a session on classifying invertebrates to determine stream health. This Lab will continue beyond classification as the students will learn sampling technique, experimental design, and invertebrate classification for stream health.  Come be a part of our newest field trip!
GPS: SB4, SB5, SCSh1, SCSh2, SCSh3, SCSh8, SEV3, SEV5
S.C. Science Standards: B-1.1, B-1.2, B-1.9, B-6.1, B-6.2, B- 6.6
Teacher Preparation Guide and Program Rubric coming soon.

Wastewater Ecology (two session format; limit 40 students) Due to new construction at the wastewater treatment plant, field trips may be limited. 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 (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 headwaters 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 research.
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

PSNPAPDOFT! Highly Successful Program! (limit 25 students, students conduct entire field trip as a team.) This field trip is designed for an Advanced Placement biology or chemistry class. Students will collect water samples from both pond and stream habitats and compare dissolved oxygen levels, pH and nutrient loads. This field trip is heavy in chemistry and covers the material presented in AP Biology Lab Twelve: “Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Primary Productivity.”
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 coming soon.
Program Rubric


Middle School Programs
Please note that all programs are split into three 45-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.
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
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 streams, 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 research.
GPS6: E5, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS8, CS9, M6M1, M6M2, M6M3, M6P4
GPS7: L1, L4, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS8, CS9, M7D1, M7P4
GPS8: CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS8, CS9, M8P4
S.C. 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 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 research.
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
Program Rubric

Bartram’s Phinizy New Program!  (limit 90 students)
Experience Phinizy Swamp Nature Park through the eyes of William Bartram, one of Georgia’s most revered naturalists. Through this interdisciplinary field trip, students will explore different perspectives on the world of natural science by participating in activities that focus on scientific journaling, energy flow through ecosystems, and environmental ethics.
GPS6: S6E3, E6, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS9, M6N1, M1, M2, D1, P3, P4, ELA6W1, C1, LSV1
GPS7: S7L4, L5, M7N1, D1, P1, P3, P4, ELA 7 W1, C1, LSV1, MSAGED7-5
GPS8: S8P2, M8N1, A1, P3, P4, ELA8W1, C1, LSV1, SS8G1, MSAGED8-7, 8-13, 8-14
S.C. Science Standards: 6-2.1, 6-2.7, 6-3.2, 6-5.1, 7-1.2, 7-4.1, 7-4.2, 7-4.3, 7-4.4, 8-2.1, 8-2.2
S.C. Math Standards: 6-1.3, 6-1.6, 6-1.7, 6-2.1, 6-2.2, 6-5.3, 7-1.3, 7-1.6, 7-1.7, 7-3.1, 7-3.2, 7-5.4, 7-6.1. 8-1.3, 8-1.6, 8-2.7, 8-6.3
S.C. English Standards: 6-4.2, 6-4.3, 6-4.4, 6-4.5, 6-4.6, 6-4.7, 6-5.1, 6-5.3, 7-4.2, 7-4.3, 7-4.4, 7-4.5, 7-4.6, 7-4.7, 7-5.1, 7-5.3. 8-4.2, 8-4.3, 8-4.4. 8-4.5, 8-4.6, 8-4.7, 8-5.1, 8-5.3
S.C. Social Studies Standards: 7-7.3
Teacher Preparation Guide and Program Rubric coming soon.

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 pollution issues in our watersheds. Students will become wetland delineators as they take a hands-on look at wetland plants, hydric soils and wetland values.
GPS6: E5, CS1, CS2, CS5, CS8
GPS7: L4, CS1, CS2, CS4, CS5, CS9
GPS8: CS1, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS9
S.C. Science Standards:
6-1.3, 6-2.7, 6-2.8, 7-4.4, 7-4.5, 8-2.1
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 an active field trip with many measurements that makes math exciting!
GPS6: CS1, CS2, CS3, CS8, CS9, MM3, MA2, MD1
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: 6-2.1, 6-5.1, 6-5.2, 6-5.7, 6-6.1, 7-5.3, 7-5.4, 7-6.1, 8-3.4, 8-5.3, 8-5.4
Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric

Phinizy Down Under
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 perform experiments to determine soil permeability rates. Students will engage in activities including investigating the weathering of rocks as well as classifying rocks 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
Program Rubric

Fourth and Fifth 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.


The Waterdance 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. Through a series of hands-on activities, students will examine the Water Cycle and how water moves. 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 research.
GPS4: L2, E3, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS6, CS7, CS8
GPS5: E1, P2, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS6, CS7, CS8

S.C. Science Standards: 4-4.1; 5-3.1, 3.6
Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric

WOW! Wetlands!
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 examine the relationship between wetland organisms and their environment. Students will also 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. Science Standards: 4-1, 4-2, 5-1, 5-2, 5-3

Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric

Bug Mania
Students will learn what makes a ‘bug’ an insect! Through hands-on activities, students will explore both terrestrial and aquatic insects to learn about their characteristics, behaviors and classification. This field trip will leave students 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. Science 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 Highly Recommended!
Water is essential for life and although there is plenty of water on Earth, very little of it is available for drinking. 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 research.
GPS2: L1, L2, E3, P1, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS7
GPS3: L1, L2, CS1, CS2, CS3, CS8
S.C. Science Standards: 2-2.1 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5; 3-2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
S.C. Math Standards: 2-2.7, 3-2.3, 3-2.5, 3-2.6

Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric

Swamp-A-Rama

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 Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. Students will also learn about Mammal teeth and skulls and how these important body structures can reveal much about how animals live.
GPS2: L1, E3, CS1, CS4, CS5, CS6, ELA2LSV1
GPS3:
L1, L2 CS1, CS3, CS8, ELA3LSV1
S.C. Science Standards:
2-2.1, 2.2, 2.4; 3-2.2, 2.3, 2.4
Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric

Swamp-A-Rama II
This field trip is especially designed for 3rd graders. Students will explore how animals and plants have adapted to live in their habitats and discover there are limiting factors that control the number of organisms a habitat can support. A Habitat Hike will expose students to various environments within Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. Come and experience the magical world of a swamp!
GPS3: L1, L2, CS1, CS3, CS8, ELA3LSV1
S.C. Science Standards: 3-2.2, 2.3, 2.4
S.C. Math Standards: 3-2.3

Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric

Froggy Frolics and Turtle Tantrums
Slippery, Slimy and Scaly? Students will explore similarities and differences between reptiles and amphibians, including 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. Science Standards: 2-2.1, 2.2; 3-2.1, 2.2, 2.3

Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric

Alternative Programs--Designed for Multi-grades and others with special needs
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. Georgia and South Carolina educational standards for these programs vary based on age and group need.

Wetland Adventures
Wetlands are incredibly valuable places, but are disappearing at alarming rates. Come discover what makes a wetland and why they are worth saving. Through hands-on activities, students will explore some of Phinizy Swamp Nature Park’s wetlands, 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. Students will identify mammal characteristics and make a track book for further identification and classification.
Program Rubric

Beaks, Feathers, and Talons, Oh My!
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 view birds and learn about field markings. Students will use observations and communication skills to learn more about these avian wonders.
Teacher Preparation Guide
Program Rubric

Thanks for scheduling a field trip to Phinizy Swamp Nature Park!