The BioSTEAM Learning Goals consist of a hybrid of the Georgia Standards of Excellence, the North American Association for Environmental Education K-12 Guidelines for Excellence, and our local, site-specific Conservation Goals.
History
Our school wetlands, or the "BioS.T.E.A.M. Outdoor Learning Center," was donated to the Jefferson City School System by the local group Jeffco Boys, LLC in February 2017. The property includes 178 acres of wetland environment and bottomland hardwood forest along the Middle Oconee River. The property will serve as an educational field trip site for all students in Jefferson City Schools and functions as extension of the S.T.E.A.M. Center.
Prior to 2017, Jeffco Boys, LLC had constructed a levee along the length of the property to manage waterfowl habitat by manipulating water levels in the wetland. The Jeffco Boys, LLC had previously donated the property under a conservation easement in 2004 to the Oconee River Land Trust, a conservation group that ensures the property will remain forever in its natural condition.
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Developing the BioS.T.E.A.M. Center for school and community use will be an ongoing process and partnership between Jefferson City Schools System and the Oconee River Land Trust.
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Class and community visits are currently hosted at the BioS.T.E.A.M. Center. Most groups utilize the River Trail, which leads down the length of the constructed levee. Future plans include developing interpretive signage and learning stations along the trails, building boardwalks into open water wetland areas, and constructing an outdoor classroom and restroom facilities on a nearby piece of property acquired by the school system.
Left: Map of BioSTEAM Center, including (1) 178 acre wetland parcel, (2) 7 acre property, future location of nature center, and (3)12 acre sloped parcel
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Below: New BioSTEAM Center Signage
The BioBus
The BioBus was designed and built in 2018 to serve as a mobile classroom for environmental education and BioSTEAM programs. The BioBus includes lab tables, movable seating in a lecture area, a mounted television screen, and cabinets for storage. When parked near a power source, a mobile heating and air conditioning unit can be utilized.
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The BioBus will visit Jefferson Elementary and Jefferson Academy during the school year as well as make an appearance at requested community events. The bus also serves as a classroom space and shelter for longer field trips or programs at the BioSTEAM Center/wetlands.
Contact
Liz French,
BioS.T.E.A.M. Coordinator
M.S. Student, Forest Resources
Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources
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770-718-7550