Community Events and Field Trips
The Community Partnership team's primary purpose is to focus on the GCA community by helping build partnerships with museums, historic sites, colleges and businesses across the state. Supporting all grades K-12 with programming and opportunities for students to attend educational classes, field trips, and community service options to help with their academics and wellness. Our staff collaborates with all departments to help with student achievement and growth.
Community Event Highlights
MARCH 2024
MARCH 2024 EVENTS
*Events are in-person and will include a physical address along with directions to the location.
- Motivations & Muscles with Mayya
- *Marsh Madness with Georgia College (Hybrid)
- National Women's History Museum
- Sleeping Bears Dune National Lakeshore
- Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
- *Georgia Aquarium
- *Science Power Hour: Celebrating Women in STEM
- *Coffee Shop Meet Up
- *Heritage Park: Pollution Solution
- *Crooked River State Park
- National Museum of Women in the Arts
- Ecologist School: Hydrology
- *Mercedes Benz Stadium Tour
- *Thronateeska Heritage Center
- *UNL Monthly Meeting
- Cooking with Champ
- *CDC Museum
- *EcoTours with Erica: Stream Ecology
- *Tennessee Aquarium
- *Dave & Busters
- *Atlanta Botanical Gardens
- *Coffee Shop Meet Up
- Chattanooga Zoo
Motivations & Muscles with Mayya
Motivations & Muscles with Mayya
Friday, March 1, 2024
12:00-12:30pm
Location: Virtual
Description: It's Fitness Friday! Join your GCA friends virtually in Motivation and Muscles with Mrs. Mayya. During this 30 minute session, students will participate in body weight exercises. No equipment needed. These sessions are ideal for all ages and fitness levels. Let's get fit together!
Additional Questions: Monique Sheffield at msheffield@georgiacyber.org
*Marsh Madness with Georgia College (Hybrid)
Marsh Madness with Georgia College
Friday, March 1, 2024
3:00-5:00pm, 3:30-4:30pm for virtual
Location: Hybrid - 315 Lake Laurel Rd. NE, Milledgeville, GA 31061
Description: Embark on a captivating lake discovery adventure at Georgia College, where students of all ages can join in-person or virtually. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, uncovering the wonders of our pristine lakes. An engaging experience awaits, fostering learning and exploration for an unforgettable educational journey.
Additional Questions: Monique Sheffield at msheffield@georgiacyber.org
National Women's History Museum
National Women’s History Museum
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
12:00-1:00pm
Location: Virtual
Description: The fight for women’s right to vote goes back to the founding of the United States of America. This virtual program will explore the early factors in the suffrage movement including key women such as Abigail Adams, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth, and Susan B. Anthony. Learn about the early women's rights movement in the United States (1776-1872) and the legislation that was put in place to halt the movement. Ideal for students in 5th grade and up.
Additional Questions: Erica Lanier at elanier@georgiacyber.org
Sleeping Bears Dune National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bears Dune National Lakeshore
Thursday, March 7, 2024
3:30-4:30pm
Location: Virtual
Description: What exactly are watersheds, what are some threats they are facing, and what can we do about it? Join the park rangers at Sleeping Bears Dune National Lakeshore in Michigan to find out. Students will create a simple model of a watershed to investigate how water moves through our landscape. Ideal for students in 2nd through 6th grade, but all ages are welcome to attend.
Additional Questions: Erica Lanier at elanier@georgiacyber.org
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
Friday, March 8, 2024
12:00-12:45pm
Location: Virtual
Description: Join Mrs. Monique virtually at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Sciences. You will get to learn about mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, leeches, and other bloodsucking parasites in this skin-crawling exhibition or the dinosaur trail, or the fish that call this aquarium home.
Additional Questions: Monique Sheffield at msheffield@georgiacyber.org
*Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium
Monday, March 11, 2024
1:00-3:00pm
Location: Georgia Aquarium - 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Description: Join us for a self guided tour of the GA Aquarium! Be sure to enjoy the touch tanks, marine life and the amazing animals there! To also enjoy our "Marsh Madness" month, take a selfie with the animals from the marsh while you are there! We were granted free tickets for GCA students to tour and enjoy the Aquarium. Students will also get to view the Dolphin Show, Sea Lion Presentation and more (these shows require pre-registration on the GA Aquarium site). Please note for this event, all adults that attend and any additional children 4 and under must purchase their tickets to enjoy the outing. Those who are confirmed will receive all information needed for the day to attend. Please stay tuned for notes on this event once you are confirmed to attend. We have limited free tickets for GCA students for this amazing experience. Please remember as always, all students must have a chaperone to attend, but for this event all chaperones, learning coaches and adults must purchase their own ticket to attend this outing. (As a note it is standard that those 2 and under may enter the GA Aquarium for free.) This event is for all ages. Remember we will only have free tickets for student attendees to join us for the day, all other adults must pay for their ticket to join us for this outing.
Additional Questions: Tonette Price at tprice@georgiacyber.org
*Science Power Hour: Celebrating Women in STEM
Science Power Hour: Celebrating Women in STEM
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
3:30-5:30pm
Location: C E Steele Community Center - 1040 Oakland Ave. SE, Conyers, GA 30012
Description: March is Expanding Girls’ in Science & Engineering month. During this month’s Science Power Hour we will be celebrating women and their achievements in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Then students will construct and test a pop rocket. This activity is ideal for students between 2nd and 6th grade, but all are welcome.
Additional Questions: Erica Lanier at elanier@georgiacyber.org
*Coffee Shop Meet Up
Coffee Shop Meet Up
Thursday, March 14, 2024
3:30-5:30pm
Location: TBD
Description: Indulge a fantastic high school coffee shop gathering – the ultimate blend of sips, chats, and relaxation. Picture a cafe oasis with classmates' buzz, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and a playlist as smooth as lattes. From macchiatos to hot chocolate, there's a treat for every palate. Join us for a delightful time, connecting with friends, sharing stories, and challenging each other to coffee cup Jenga. Mark your calendar for this brew-tiful high school meetup – an ideal way to unwind and bond with your school crew. Don't miss out! GCA will pay for one menu item per registered and confirmed high school student that attends.
Additional Questions: Monique Sheffield at msheffield@georgiacyber.org
*Heritage Park: Pollution Solution
Heritage Park: Pollution Solution
Friday, March 15, 2024
10:30am-12:30pm
Location: Heritage Park - 60 Fontaine Rd. SW, Mableton, GA 30126
Description: Come and learn about the importance of recycling and its impacts on Georgia’s waterways. During this guided program, students will learn about the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), play an educational game about cleaning up after your pets, and be led on a guided nature walk. This program is ideal for students in 1st through 5th grade.
Additional Questions: Erica Lanier at elanier@georgiacyber.org
*Crooked River State Park
Crooked River State Park
Friday, March 15, 2024
11:00am-1:30pm
Location: Crooked River State Park - 6222 Charlie Smith Sr. Hwy. St. Marys, GA 31558
Description: Join us for a fun morning in the marsh! We will have a ranger led program in the marsh for our “Marsh Madness” Month with Mrs. Tonette! We will explore the area and take a trail walk that leads students to the marsh edge where we will identify components of a tidal habitat. Students will learn which animals are adapted to living in this estuary ecosystem along with benefits and value this ecosystem provides. We will cover tides, currents, adaptations, food web/chain, decomposers, and erosion. Mrs Monique will close out the day and host the GCA Fitness Challenge outdoors at this location to help children practice teamwork while having fun on the Coast. You can stay and play after the event at the playground and even enjoy putt putt golf with your family. This event is for all ages and free for all attendees. The outing is being held on an Asynchronous Day so you can join us on the coast from wherever you are in Georgia! Register early and join us for some coastal fun! There is a 5.00 parking fee for all state parks.
Additional Questions: Tonette Price at tprice@georgiacyber.org
National Museum of Women in the Arts
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Monday, March 18, 2024
12:00-1:00pm
Location: Virtual
Description: Come join us as we take a look at how women are featured in different pieces of art throughout the National Museum of Women in Arts. We will look deeply at artwork and learn about the importance of the artwork from a museum educator. We will also focus on Georgia artists on our virtual journey! Register now as space is limited! This virtual field trip caters to those students in grades 6th-12th only.
Additional Questions: Tonette Price at tprice@georgiacyber.org
Ecologist School: Hydrology
Ecologist School: Hydrology
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
12:00-1:00pm
Location: Virtual
Description: Join EcoErica for another session of Ecologist School. This month we will be exploring the topic of hydrology. During this virtual session, students will learn how to measure their water footprint and discuss ways to decrease it. Then, students will study an aquatic animal species and learn about why water plays an important role in the animal’s survival. Ideal for grades 3rd and up.
Additional Questions: Erica Lanier at elanier@georgiacyber.org
*Mercedes Benz Stadium Tour
Mercedes Benz Stadium Tour
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
1:00-2:30pm
Location: Mercedes Benz Stadium - 1 AMB Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Description: Join us for an exciting & engaging tour of the Mercedes Benz Stadium the home of the Atlanta Falcons! We will also tour areas for the Atlanta United Soccer Team, learn about science, architecture, technology of the stadium and more! The site is also allowing us onto the field to see where our teams play weekly! All registered students are free for this event. All adults, chaperones, learning coaches must pay 15.00 per person to attend. Details on how to pay will come to those who are confirmed to attend. This event is open to family and friends, join us for a day of Sports and STEM!
Additional Questions: Tonette Price at tprice@georgiacyber.org
*Thronateeska Heritage Center
Thronateeska Heritage Center
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
1:30-3:30pm
Location: Thronateeska Heritage Center - 100 W Roosevelt Ave. Albany, GA 31701
Description: Come and explore the many exhibits that encompass the Thronateeska Heritage Center; including their special exhibit, Mystery of the Mayan Medallion. Students will enjoy a planetarium show called “Oasis in Space”. The show allows viewers to embark on a startling and beautiful voyage through our universe, galaxy and solar system in search of liquid water, a key ingredient for life on Earth. Ideal for students 2nd grade and up.
Additional Questions: Erica Lanier at elanier@georgiacyber.org
*UNL Monthly Meeting
UNL Monthly Meeting
Monday, March 25, 2024
3:30-6:00pm, 4:45-6:00pm for virtual
Location: Hybrid - 500 Bishop St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Description: Calling all GCA High School Students! Join us for Usher (Raymond's) New Look Leadership Academy! In these virtual sessions you will gain leadership skills, learn about job readiness, hear great speakers and much more! There is no cost for this club, more details to come to those who note interest. “Usher's New Look is about transforming the lives of youth so they become passion-driven leaders who change the world. We will continue this important work of helping youth rise above their circumstances and thrive as the leaders they were destined to be.” -Usher Raymond IV This club meets virtually every month, but has several in-person opportunities throughout the year.
Additional Questions: Tonette Price at tprice@georgiacyber.org
Cooking with Champ
Cooking with Champ
Monday, March 25, 2024
3:45 – 4:45 pm
Location: Virtual
Description: Our school mascot, Champ, likes to have fun in the kitchen. Join us for Cooking with Champ where students learn how to cook a simple and fun dish, and play virtual games with Champ. Want to be a guest star on a Cooking with Champ field trip? Be sure to send us your pictures of you cooking and your final products. Champ will have special guests from our Usher’s New Look club joining him.
Additional Questions: Monique Sheffield at msheffield@georgiacyber.org
*CDC Museum
CDC Museum Tour
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
1:30-4:00pm
Location: CDC Museum - 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
Description: Calling all middle and high school students to delve into the fascinating world of pathogens! Explore the intricacies of diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Guinea worm, and more. Join us for an enlightening journey through the realm of microbiology, as we unravel the mysteries of these impactful and relevant pathogens together.
Additional Questions: Monique Sheffield at msheffield@georgiacyber.org
*EcoTours with Erica: Stream Ecology
EcoTours with Erica: Stream Ecology
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
2:00-4:00pm
Location: Panola Mountain State Park - 2620 GA 155 SW, Stockbridge, GA 30281
Description: Join EcoErica at Panola Mountain State Park to participate in a hands-on lesson to learn about stream ecology and the role that macroinvertebrates play in determining the health of an aquatic ecosystem. Students will also utilize a pH kit to test the quality of the stream that runs through the park. Ideal for students in grades 3rd and up.
Additional Questions: Erica Lanier at elanier@georgiacyber.org
*Tennessee Aquarium
Tennessee Aquarium
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
1:30-3:30pm
Location: Tennessee Aquarium - 1 Broad St, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Description: Join us for a day of fun at the Tennessee Aquarium! Students will have a self-guided tour and scavenger hunt “under the sea”! We will also attend a hands-on animal program with the education department at the site! Join us to find animals in the marsh for our “Marsh Madness” Month! All children registered will attend at no cost but there is limited spacing available for this event. All parents, chaperones, adults and additional children not on the registration must pay for their own tickets. GCA is only sponsoring the registered children for this event. The host will send the method to pay for adults/chaperones to all registered families upon their confirmation for the event. Again GCA is only paying for students/children for this event, all adults, chaperones and learning coaches would have to pay for entry into the Aquarium. The fee would be 32.50 + tax for Aquarium entry. Children 4 and under are free. Families may stay until the Aquarium closes to enjoy the site at their own pace. Details will come to all confirmed families! This event is for all ages. We can't wait to see you there!
Additional Questions: Tonette Price at tprice@georgiacyber.org
*Dave & Busters
Dave & Busters
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
1:00-3:00pm
Location: Dave & Buster’s Augusta - 807 Cabela Dr. Augusta, GA 30909
Description: Looking to make new friends and unleash your love for arcade games? Join us at Dave & Busters in Augusta to socialize and engage with your fellow GCA champions while playing arcade games. GCA will cover the cost of all registered children, but no adults for this event. If parents wish to play arcade games they can purchase their own arcade cards. This social is open to students of all grades.
Additional Questions: Erica Lanier at elanier@georgiacyber.org
*Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Thursday, March 28, 2024
11:30am-1:30pm
Location: Atlanta Botanical Gardens - 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Description: Join us for a self guided tour of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. We will have a scavenger hunt and enjoy the beautiful flowers and plants around the garden! There is also a play area for children and lots to see around the site. Be sure to also visit the Conservation Garden where you will find native plants from the Marsh inside! We have been given a grant from our wonderful friends at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, so please only register if you are certain of your attendance. The grant only allows for a small number of adult chaperone tickets, all other learning coaches/adults and chaperones will have to pay regular admission directly to the site. I will reach out to families in the order of their registration to alert them that they are confirmed to attend. There is limited spacing for this event. This event is for all ages.
Additional Questions: Tonette Price at tprice@georgiacyber.org
*Coffee Shop Meet Up
Coffee Shop Meet Up
Thursday, March 28, 2024
3:00-5:30pm
Location: TBD
Description: Indulge a fantastic high school coffee shop gathering – the ultimate blend of sips, chats, and relaxation. Picture a cafe oasis with classmates' buzz, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and a playlist as smooth as lattes. From macchiatos to hot chocolate, there's a treat for every palate. Join us for a delightful time, connecting with friends, sharing stories, and challenging each other to coffee cup Jenga. Mark your calendar for this brew-tiful high school meetup – an ideal way to unwind and bond with your school crew. Don't miss out! GCA will pay for one menu item per registered and confirmed high school student that attends.
Additional questions: Monique Sheffield at msheffield@georgiacyber.org
Chattanooga Zoo
Chattanooga Zoo: Marsh Madness
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
12:00-1:00pm
Location: Virtual
Description: Join us for a fun and amazing session virtually with the Chattanooga Zoo. We will chat with a Zoo Specialist live and meet marsh animal ambassadors from the site! Mrs Tonette will be livestreaming from the Zoo and assisting our friends at the site. Families who register will receive a link to select the animals we view on our walking tour of the Zoo. The top 3-4 we will see while we are there! This event is for all ages!
Additional Questions: Tonette Price at tprice@georgiacyber.org
How many field trips can my student attend?
Students that are performing below grade level are limited to 2 (two) field trip excused absences per semester. All assignments are still required to be completed. Also, class recordings MUST be reviewed for all required classes.
Students are not permitted to participate in field trips that fall on Pre-Test, NWEA MAP, IA, Final Exams, Access or Milestones EOG/EOC assessment days unless those exams have been previously completed.
Want to attend?
Before attending an in-person event, please fill out the GCA Liability Release form. Scan the code below to fill out the liability release form online or download, complete, and provide a copy to us.
Liability Release Form
If you prefer to complete a printable copy, download the form below. Email a copy of the completed form to communitypartners@georgiacyber.org or bring the printed form to the event you will be attending.
Our Partnerships
Meet the Team!
Tonette Price
Tonette Price
Tonette Price is the Community Partnerships Manager for Georgia Cyber Academy. In this position she works with all students in grades K-12 statewide impacting children in nearly every county in Georgia. She joined the GCA family in 2008 as the Local Development Manager supporting enrollment, marketing, community engagement and school events/field trips. In her work with virtual schooling, she has helped in the launch and marketing of 8 other virtual academies across the country and has hosted over 2200 in person events as well as hundreds of virtual events to support student academics and socialization. She previously worked with Kaplan Inc for 5 years as the Senior Director at Score! Educational Centers in Alpharetta and Atlanta. She managed a team to assist students on a computer based curriculum to improve their academics and build their confidence and motivation towards learning. She received her education from Clark Atlanta University where she majored in Psychology with a focus on Child Growth and Development.
While at GCA, Tonette has helped to launch the statewide Booster Program, the annual science fair, the annual Jekyll Island 4H High School Community Service Event, the annual Urban Legacy Campout with the Greening Foundation and National Park Service, Microsoft Camps in person and virtually and dozens of other school and community partnerships to support and engage GCA students. In 2015, Mrs. Price transferred to her from her original position to Community Partnerships Manager focusing solely on the school community and partnerships around Georgia. She has worked with over 65,000 students in her time at GCA and loves seeing their smiling faces at events virtually and in person across the state.
Monique Sheffield
Monique Sheffield
Monique Sheffield is an Events Coordinator for Georgia Cyber Academy and has served in many areas technical writing, business analysis, sales, customer service and education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Morris Brown College and a Masters in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University. Not only has she been employed with Georgia Cyber Academy since 2015, she has been a learning coach at the school since 2010 and has two children graduate from the school. She serves on the Work Based Learning Advisory Council and is a champion for the school's Work Based Learning and Dual Enrollment programs.
In Monique's spare time, she travels around the country as a soccer mom and shares her experiences with the students at GCA. Monique enjoys spending time with the families at the school and has hosted more than 1,000 events for families since 2015.
Erica Lanier
Erica Lanier
Erica Lanier is a Community Events Coordinator at Georgia Cyber Academy. She started working with GCA in July 2021. Before arriving at GCA, she worked as an informal educator in children's museums and state parks for sixteen years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Museum Studies with a minor in Public History from Georgia College & State University in 2013 and a Masters of Arts in Museum Management with a concentration in Museum Education from Middle Tennessee State University in 2016.
As a former park ranger, Erica has a love for the great outdoors. She loves to go kayaking and hiking any chance she gets. When you don't find her out in the woods or floating down a river, you will find her snuggled up with her favorite blanket reading a book by the window. She loves to cook, so much so that she wrote a cookbook in 2020. Erica looks forward to bringing more nature and cooking themed field trips to GCA in the near future.
See our Virtual Events in Action!
Memorial Field Trips
Center for Puppetry Arts
Jacksonville Zoo
Mercedes Benz Stadium
Sea World
Cooking with Champ
Science Center(s)
Smithsonian Museum
Jacksonville Zoo
Mercedes Benz Stadium
Sea World
Cooking with Champ
Science Center(s)
Smithsonian Museum
Tennessee Aquarium
Children’s Museum
Art Influenced
Coca Cola Space Center
Legoland
Zoo Atlanta
Jekyll Island 4H
Tellus Museum
Children’s Museum
Art Influenced
Coca Cola Space Center
Legoland
Zoo Atlanta
Jekyll Island 4H
Tellus Museum
Jekll-Tidelands 2020 Field Trip
Student Life: Resources and Supports
Information on our Policy For Events and Field Trips from our Parent/Student Handbook.
Not Enrolled? Find out Why GCA is the RIGHT Choice!
Georgia Cyber Academy offers the benefits of a brick and mortar school...right for you right from home.
Students access lessons and live classes online. Parents and students are partnered with certified teachers who instruct and guide student progress and achievement. In the online classroom, students participate in real-time, direct instruction from their teachers. During the school day, parents provide support and guidance to their student. Georgia Cyber Academy is a 100% tuition-free, online, accredited, Georgia public charter school for students in grades K-12.