Updated for the 2007-2008 School Year!

• Program descriptions
• Fort Discovery visit planning information
• Schedules
• Reservation forms

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Updated February 2006

This guide is packed with activities you can do with your class both before and after your visit as well as explorations and investigations they can do while they're here at Fort Discovery.

Save the file and print selected pages at your convenience
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We are one of 13 Georgia Educational Technology Training Centers, part of the State Data and Research Center. We are located at the National Science Center's Fort Discovery in Augusta, Georgia.

An excellent resource designed to support teachers and home school parents

Become part of the Fort Discovery team!

Length of visit - Plan at least three hours for your visit to Fort Discovery.

Groups - Divide your class or classes into groups and assign chaperones to each group prior to arrival.

Chaperone requirements - Insure you have at least the minimum number of adult chaperones. Grades PreK4 through 8 require one (1) chaperone per five (5) students; grades 9-12 require one (1) chaperone per ten (10) students. Additional chaperones are welcome at the rates shown in the Rates table.

Chaperone responsibilities - Chaperones are responsible for and must supervise their group during the entire visit. Our rule of thumb is that chaperones should always be able to see all of the members of their group and should also accompany them into The Science Store. Insure your students are aware of the following rules of visitor etiquette which chaperones will help us enforce:

1. Please, no eating, drinking, or chewing gum while in the Center.
2. Running or reckless behavior is not permitted while visiting Fort Discovery. We want your visit to Fort Discovery to be safe and enjoyable.
3. Fort Discovery is a tobacco-free environment.

Clothing requirements - Please note that closed-toes shoes and foot socks are required for some of our exhibit experiences.

When you arrive - Each group will be met at the bus drop-off, located on the west side of the building, by a member of the Fort Discovery staff. For quick entry into the Center, each school's group leader should provide the Fort Discovery staff member an exact count by category of all children, adults, and bus drivers in the group. Any differences between prescheduled and actual numbers will be addressed at this time. Any changes in food service requirements should also be brought to the attention of the Fort Discovery staff.

During your visit - Encourage your students to take the time to read the directions provided for each exhibit. Following the directions for operation will make the interaction with each exhibit much more meaningful to the student, as well as provide a valuable lesson in following directions.

Don't forget The Science Store! Everyone in your group will certainly want to take home something from The Science Store. We even have great School Packs! Give them a call to get all the info about these and arrange to have them ready to pick up during your visit.

Phone: (706) 821-0613 or (800) 325-5445 ext. 0613
FAX: (706) 821-0269

(When visiting The Science Store, be aware that it is monitored via closed-circuit TV.)

Fat Man's Riverfront Cafe - Pre-ordered box lunches are available from Fat Man's Riverfront Cafe located at Fort Discovery.

Box lunch orders must be placed and paid for in full at least ten (10) business days prior to your group’s visit.  Payment may be made by credit card or a separate check that is payable to:
Fat Man's Riverfront Cafe
Any changes to your order must be made at least 24 hours prior to your visit.

To place orders, use either of the following methods.
1. Call Fat Man's Riverfront Cafe at (706) 733-1740.
2. Download and complete a Group Lunch Order Form. (PDF - 63Kb)  Then you may either:
  
         Mail the completed form to:
         Fat Man's Riverfront Cafe
         ATTN: Brad Usry
         One 7th Street
         Augusta, GA 30901-1341

Picnic Lunches - Augusta's Riverwalk provides ample space to have a leisurely picnic in various scenic areas along the Savannah River. Fort Discovery also has limited outdoor dining areas available for picnic-style dining. These areas are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

But, whether you're dining in our area or along the Riverwalk, we'll be glad to store your bag lunches until you are ready for them. Bag lunches should be placed in a box or cooler labeled with the school or group name written on the front.

Lunch plans will be addressed as part of your welcome and orientation.

If you will be arriving later than expected, please notify us of your new arrival time.

A $25.00 cancellation fee is assessed for each visit that is not either cancelled or confirmed at least 10 business days prior to visit.  If you must cancel or postpone a visit, please call Fort Discovery as soon as your plans have changed.