The Main Street Academy (TMSA) is proud to announce its selection as a recipient of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Guardian School Program Grant, made possible through a partnership with the Georgia Aquarium. This $3,000 grant will fund the creation of a native plant pollinator garden on TMSA’s campus beginning September 2025.

The project directly connects with TMSA’s 6th-grade Earth Science Project-Based Learning (PBL), empowering students to explore the vital link between pollinator health and watershed sustainability in the Upper ACF Basin. Students will conduct field research, design the garden using math, mapping, and science skills, participate in STEAM integration, and present their work at school-wide and community showcases.

Innovative project features include:

• A student-designed garden layout using scale drawings and 3D digital modeling.

• Watershed-friendly plant species that support pollinators, reduce runoff, and stabilize soil.
• An outdoor learning lab where students engage in science experiments, writing, and cross-curricular lessons.

Through the partnership, the Georgia Aquarium will provide mentorship, resources, and program guidance under the NOAA Ocean Guardian initiative. Students will also visit the Aquarium for immersive learning experiences about ocean ecosystems, pollinator-ocean connections, and conservation careers. The project will actively involve students, parents, and community partners in planning, planting, and maintaining the garden. Local environmental organizations will lend expertise, while families will participate in volunteer planting days and upkeep.

As Project Lead, Ms. Juliana Jenkins, 6th Grade Earth Science Teacher, will guide students in connecting classroom science to real-world stewardship.

“Our pollinator garden is more than a beautification project—it is a living classroom where students learn that small actions, like protecting pollinators, ripple outward to support entire ecosystems, including our watershed and the ocean. By caring for pollinators, our students are truly becoming Ocean Guardians.” Juliana Jenkins (Lead Teacher, TMSA)