The average Georgia citizen lives over 100 miles from the coast and knows little about coastal processes. To meet the growing need for an understanding of the marine environment, its processes and resources, Georgia Sea Grant helps to fund educational opportunities for students ranging from elementary school grades to college and graduate levels, to professional groups, and for the public. More than 12,000 persons a year receive instruction carried out by the University's Marine Extension Service at a well equipped facility on Skidaway Island. About 100,000 walk-in visitors each year tour the facility's educational aquarium and exhibits. At present, Georgia Sea Grant is funding three internships for recent college graduates.
All interns receive training from a staff of professional marine educators.
After their training period, they teach student groups ranging from preschool through adult. Georgia Sea Grant has also supported a unique collection of contemporary coastal art that is utilized for both affective and subjective public education. This traveling exhibit has been a compelling medium used to introduce inlanders to the marine resourses of the coast of Georgia. The collection is now housed at the Georgia Museum of art on the campus of the University of Georgia. For more information about marine education in Georgia check the home page for the University's Marine Extension Service Education Program .