The Kiwanis Club of Statesboro partnered with Bulloch County Schools and Georgia Southern University in August to start the "Little Eaglet" program. Through the program, all students attending public schools in grades 1 through 5 will visit a different Georgia Southern outreach center once a year.
The new program is designed to provide a hands-on, cohesive, integrated educational program for local schoolchildren that will fulfill their learning needs while also providing them with positive exposure to a higher education environment.
The departments at Georgia Southern selected to participate in the program each developed grade specific, standards-based, fun and educational opportunities for this program. The program allows one classroom at a time to make the visit. This makes it a much better experience for the students and the departments leading the classes.
Representatives from each of the departments presented at the Kiwanis Club of Statesboro's meeting last Thursday. Each reported the program had exceeded their greatest expectations. They were all surprised by how many of the students had never been on campus, participated in programs they offered, or even knew the programs existed. This validates the success of one of the primary goals of the program which was to provide access to enhanced learning experiences that Georgia Southern University offers the community.
Cheryl Ciucevich, GS Foundation Director of Development, College of Science and Mathematics, gave an overview of the program and introduced each of the speakers. Crystal Simpkins, Director of Early Learning and Literacy for Bulloch Schools was recognized for her and Bulloch Schools support of the program.
The speakers included:
- Dr. Brent Tharp, Director of the Georgia Southern Museum, where collections, exhibits, and programming interpret the natural and cultural history of Georgia’s coastal plain.
- Carolyn Altman, Director of the Botanic Garden, which features over 11 acres of gardens on an early 20th-century farmstead. The Botanic Garden team developed five interactive programs.
- Wayne Paulk, Education Program Director of the Center for Wildlife Education and The Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center, a 17+-acre preserve that is home to many raptors, reptiles, waterfowl, and more.
- Dr. Clayton Heller, Director of the Georgia Southern University Planetarium, an immersive astronomy laboratory.
- Kania Greer, Coordinator for the Institute for Interdisciplinary STEM Education program incorporates STEM with music. They do this in partnership with the Gretsch Collection, where the Museum and Gretsch School of Music introduce students to music, musical instruments, and the science of sound.
During the field trips, the Bulloch County Schools have agreed to provide the transportation and the meals, while the funding from the Kiwanis Club will cover admissions to the centers, programming costs, items for the children, and an annual celebration at the end of each school year.
