Ossabest

Ossabest is a unique, 3 year project created by Armstrong Atlantic State University and funded by the National Science Foundation. Through this program, students and teachers from middle and high schools of the Savannah Chatham County Public School System will have the opportunity to explore Ossabaw Island , one of Georgia 's remote barrier islands, using state of the art computer technology. Through a combination of three day on-island camps, Summer Institute sessions and follow-up campus based workshops, participants will study, document and share data collected on the island.

A network of sensors on the island will provide an opportunity for participants to record various conditions ranging from atmospheric conditions to ground water quality. The data will then be translated into a multi-media field guide and transmitted to schools across the State for use in classroom instruction.

The setting for this project is unique. Ossabaw Island is a 26,000 acre island that was designated as Georgia 's first Heritage Preserve. Use of Ossabaw Island is limited to natural, cultural and scientific study, research and education. With 9,000 acres of maritime Live Oak forest, interspersed with slash, loblolly and long leaf pine stands and 18,000 acres of salt marshes, ephemeral freshwater wetlands and vast marshes, the island has a rich habitat mosaic that hosts a wide variety of wildlife. Several protected and endangered species such as Bald Eagle, Wood Storks and Loggerhead seat turtles can be found on Ossabaw throughout the year.

Through this program participants will gain a deeper understanding of Georgia 's coastal environment. Incorporating current Georgia Performance Standards, Ossabest is designed to attract a wide range of students to the fields of Information Technology, Computer Science and Education. The inquiry based curriculum will provide an opportunity for 7th— 10th grade students and teachers to interact in a one of a kind setting, instilling a knowledge of and appreciation for Information Technology and related education pathways.

Ossabaw Island

Ossabaw Island is a 26,000 acre living laboratory. It was the first state heritage preserve set aside by the State of Georgia, and is used only for study, research and education. The recently established Barrier Island Observetory enables electronic exploration of the island. Summer instiutes provide opportunities for Students and Teachers to visit Ossabaw to collect scientific data, and electronically document their findings during sessions at Armstrong Atlantic State University.