Discover UGA’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography on Skidaway Island

Nestled at the northern tip of Skidaway Island, just southeast of downtown Savannah, the University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO) is a renowned marine science research and education campus. Set on a sprawling 700‑acre coastal woodland campus, SkIO offers direct access to estuaries, salt marshes, and the Atlantic coastline, making it an unparalleled natural laboratory marsci.uga.eduen.wikipedia.orgskio.uga.edu.

📍 Where It Is & Why It Matters

• Location: Situated on Skidaway Island in Chatham County, the SkIO campus lies approximately 10 minutes from Savannah over the Lazaretto Creek Bridge. Its northern positioning places it advantageously between rich marsh ecosystems and the open Atlantic en.wikipedia.orgmarsci.uga.edu.
• Campus Highlights: The site includes the historic Priest Landing on the Wilmington River, research labs, modern classrooms, and access points for boats and ocean vessels en.wikipedia.orgmarsci.uga.edu.

The Semester@Skidaway Program: Real Learning at the Coast

One of SkIO’s flagship educational offerings, Semester@Skidaway, is a transformative field‑based semester program for marine science undergraduates:

• Immersive Experience: Senior students from UGA’s Franklin College majoring in ocean science spend a fall semester in residence on Skidaway Island, diving into hands‑on research in labs and in the field savannahceo.com.
• Cutting‑Edge Curriculum: The program emphasizes real-world application—on small boats, research vessels like the R/V Savannah, in estuaries, marshes, and labs—teaching everything from microplastics to coastal ecosystem dynamics en.wikipedia.orgskio.uga.edu.
• Capstone Learning: It serves as a culminating academic experience, preparing graduates for careers in research, conservation, environmental management, and beyond savannahceo.com.

Broader Educational & Community Impact

Beyond Semester@Skidaway, SkIO enriches education and outreach at multiple levels:

• Undergraduate Internships: Offers UGA undergraduates immersive hands‑on research placements on campus and aboard vessels skio.uga.edumarsci.uga.edu.
• K–12 STEM Outreach: Partnerships—like with Sol C. Johnson High School—bring coastal science into classrooms and offshore research, building future scientists sccpss.com.
• Evening@Skidaway: A speaker series engaging students and the public on topics like microplastics and human health, led by SkIO faculty such as Dr. Jay Brandes skio.uga.edufacebook.com.

World‑Class Research Across Marine Disciplines

SkIO supports interdisciplinary, globally-relevant research across biology, chemistry, geology, and physics:

• Microplastics & Pollution: Investigating the sources, distribution, and health impacts of plastic pollution en.wikipedia.orgskio.uga.edu.
• Fisheries Health: Studying phenomena like black‑gill in shrimp to safeguard Georgia’s coastal fisheries en.wikipedia.org.
• Climate & Weather: Improving hurricane models, probing Arctic environmental change, and monitoring dune erosion via drones and gliders en.wikipedia.org.
• Global Reach: Research spans from local estuaries to the Arctic, Antarctic, and even nanosatellite ocean‑color sensors en.wikipedia.org.

First‑Rate Facilities & Vessels

• R/V Savannah: A 92‑foot research vessel capable of 24/7 missions, central to SkIO research and training en.wikipedia.orgmarsci.uga.edu.
• Specialized Labs: Equipped with chemical, biological, geological, and physical oceanography instruments, plus isotope, clean labs, autonomous vehicles, drones, and imaging systems en.wikipedia.org.
• Instructional Center: A renovated historic barn now serves as a modern instructional center for distance education and hands‑on learning en.wikipedia.org.

Why This Matters to Coastal Communities & Beyond

1. Educational Excellence: Offers unparalleled field-based learning that blends theory with real-world research.
2. Scientific Contributions: Advances critical coastal research with implications for environmental policy, public health, and climate resilience.
3. Community Engagement: Inspires youth and the public, enriching Savannah’s STEM ecosystem.
4. Economic & Cultural Value: Strengthens Georgia’s maritime heritage, boosts its role in coastal science, and informs economic and conservation decisions.

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Join the Journey at SkIO

For prospective students, community members, or marine-science enthusiasts, Semester@Skidaway, Evening@Skidaway, student internships, and K–12 outreach present multiple avenues for involvement. Learn more and explore upcoming events like the June 24 talk by Dr. Herb Windom—Savannah’s own pathfinder in marine science.

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Conclusion: The University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography is more than a campus—it’s a gateway to discovery, education, and impact. Serving as both laboratory and classroom, SkIO immerses students in the frontlines of coastal science, drives critical research, and uplifts the Savannah region through education and engagement. Whether you’re walking its marsh trails, studying aboard the Savannah, or attending a public seminar, you’re part of a mission to understand and protect our coast.