Metro Savannah-area teachers join marine archaeologists,

Metro Savannah-area teachers join marine archaeologists, Civil War re-enactors and other specialists to learn how to integrate science, technology, engineer and math (STEM) lessons from the recovery of the ironclad CSS Georgia into their classrooms. As part of the four-day institute delivered by Georgia Tech University in Savannah, the educators visit Old Fort Jackson, the location where the under-powered warship was anchored in the early 1860s. The visit to Old Fort Jackson allowed them to learn how evolving technology impacted the soldiers and sailors at the fort and aboard the CSS Georgia. Through hands-on demonstrations, the teachers employed several basic engineering and technology actions which can be adapted to classroom instruction.
They also observed underwater archaeology techniques used to locate the CSS Georgia wreck on the bottom of the Savannah River. The teachers saw first-hand the methods used to pinpoint thousands of artifacts recovered from the scuttled vessel during 2015. Leading marine archaeologist Stephen James demonstrated the sophisticated equipment used to guide divers through the zero-visibility waters of the Savannah River.
The Teachers’ Institute ran from May 31 through June 3, 2016, and was funded through the community involvement portion of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP). The SHEP will deepen the Savannah harbor from 42 feet to 47 feet. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photos by Billy Birdwell)