Agenda Item
a. Memorandum of Understanding with Georgia Aquarium, Incorporated (Not to Exceed $418,080)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Sean R. Tartt, Acting Chief Academic Officer, Division of Teaching and Learning
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the Georgia Aquarium, Incorporated, so students have access to experiential and relevant learning opportunities that expand their background knowledge in science, other core content areas, and career and post-secondary opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in an amount not to exceed $418,080.
Why: The partnership with the Georgia Aquarium, Incorporated includes opportunities to experience excitement, interest, and motivation to learn about phenomena in the natural and physical world. Staff and students will participate in scientific activities and learning practices to equip students with the conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills necessary to comprehend and apply scientific concepts to real-world situations.
Details: The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sets forth the terms and understanding between the DeKalb County School District and Georgia Aquarium, Incorporated. The goals of the partnership are as follows:
1. To develop K-12 career exploration opportunities in the fields of marine biology and ocean science to increase representation of students from DeKalb County School District,
2. To accelerate learning and bridge gaps in knowledge and understanding through real world enrichment opportunities as it relates to science and other core content areas,
3. To support improving student outcomes as it pertains to standards-based local, state, and national summative assessments,
4. To increase teacher’s professional knowledge as it relates to marine, ocean, and environmental sciences to support integration and application of the core content areas,
5. To increase Georgia Aquarium’s program accessibility and outreach for parents and students in grades K-12,
6. To increase student’s knowledge of aquaculture to raise awareness in local and global environmental sustainability efforts,
7. To develop a more cohesive path for K-12 students to engage in meaningful instruction, using sustained multipoint contacts to create a continuous path into STEM/marine science careers, and
8. To instill an understanding of and passion for aquatic animals and their habitats by increasing awareness and abilities for students to pursue careers in aquatic fields.
Financial impact: The total contract amount will not exceed $418,080.
The general budget charge codes are as follows:
100.1000.530000.00011.6600.9990.6010.035.0000
100.1000.561000.00011.6600.9990.6010.035.0000
Contact: Dr. Sean R. Tartt, Acting Chief Academic Officer, Division of Teaching and Learning, 678.676.0731
Mrs. Janetta Greenwood, Director, Fernbank Science Center, Division of Teaching and Learning, 678.874.7119
Effective: August 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027
Status: Approved by Office of Legal Affairs
DCSD X GEORGIA AQUARIUM PARTNERSHIP
COMPREHENSIVE IMPACT AND COMPARATIVE RENEWAL REPORT
SCHOOL YEAR 2025-2026
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Partnership data indicate a massive districtwide
impact, expanding experiential STEM, outreach,
and workforce-connected experiences for
47,404
DCSD STUDENTS SERVED
114
SCHOOLS ENGAGED
47,404 students and 114 schools.
Outreach Programs Aquanaut
10,597 Express
students 15,018
students
(47 schools)
Instructor-Led Fieldtrips
16,689 NOAA Ocean Guardian Schools
students
5,000 students at 10 selected sites
June 2026 - 100 campers
Marine Mavericks summer camp at
Fernbank Science Center
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS TEACHER PERCEPTION ANALYSIS
2024-2025 vs. 2025-2026 Teacher Favorability Ratings
+11,073
students
+7,739 students
+10 schools
+1,180
students
+860
students
OVERALL CONTENT 97.8%
47,404
10,597
15,018 15,509
16,689 9,737 INSTRUCTOR EFFECTIVENESS 97.8%
36,331
47
schools LOGISTICS/ORGANIZATION 96.7%
93.4%
7,279
CLASSROOM APPLICABILITY
37
schools
TOTAL AQUANAUT INSTRUCTOR-LED OUTREACH
STUDENTS EXPRESS FIELD TRIP PROGRAM
SERVED PARTICIPATION PARTICIPATION PARTICIPATION
STUDENT PERCEPTION ANALYSIS
Growth: Significant expansion in overall
reach and STEM engagement 9th-12th
3rd-5th 6th-8th
graders graders graders
DCSD STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT +66.6 point increase in Strong growth in science Identified opportunities to
ocean-science knowledge confidence and career interest strengthen workforce alignment
and career relevance
Student Academic School, Family, & Recruit, 2026-2027 EXPANSION PRIORITIES
Success Community Develop, &
(Equity & Access) Engagement Retain Talent SMART Agriculture and aquaponics integration AI-integrated environmental science and data analysis
Expanded Ocean Guardians experiences Workforce development and marine science career pathways
Enhanced high school programming Expanded professional learning opportunities for educators