Georgia Association of Marine Education - Conference opportunities

Proposals, Poster Boards, Conference Scholarship Opportunities, and Mini Grants

Hidden in Plain Sight: Ocean Discoveries Along Georgia's Coast

November 4 - 6, 2026

Courtyard Residence Inn Jekyll Island, Georgia

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Please consider submitting a presentation that supports the theme of engaging our educators in ocean discoveries along Georgia's coast. Priority will be given to sessions that include: strong content/data correlations to the conference theme, reusable activities and resources, and tangible takeaways.

You may also sign up to present a "tide pool session," a shorter abbreviated way to share ideas and activities that work for you! Submission deadline is Oct 2nd.

We have an ideal location right on the beach so if you have an idea or activity fit for the outdoors we would love to participate!

The application can be found here. Email completed forms to gamarineexec@gmail.com

Student Poster Session

For the first year ever we're inviting undergraduate and graduate students to present their work at the Student Poster Session! Presenters must be a college student (undergraduate or graduate).

This event is a great opportunity for students to:

Share their work in marine or environmental science, educational initiatives, research, conservation, and community outreach
Gain valuable presentation experience
Network with educators, scientists, and fellow students
Highlight their knowledge for protecting and understanding our coastal and marine environments

Poster Session Details:

When: Friday evening, November 6, 2026 (4th floor Hospitality Suite
Where: Jekyll Island Courtyard Marriott
Poster:

Size: 3’x5’
Specifics: printed and brought by the presenter.

Submission deadline: October 2, 2026 (for print recognition)

There are three ways to participate:

Purchase a $30 Friday-only Poster Presenter ticket (no GAME membership required, food and drink provided) and depart after awards
Purchase a $55 Friday night only ticket and enjoy additional food, drink, and our Keynote speakers
Purchase a full-conference registration to participate in the entire weekend (be/become GAME member)

Application Form: Student Poster Presenters

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

GAME offers scholarships to offset the cost of attending the annual conference. These scholarships cover conference registration (approximately a $165 value) and do not include cost of travel or lodging for the conference. All recipients are required to submit an article or classroom activity for publication in the GAME eNewsletter. All applications will be confidential and only reviewed by the Scholarship Committee members. If the applicant is unable to attend once the scholarship is awarded, the applicant must contact Beth Kostka (beth.kostka@lovett.org) immediately in order to provide an opportunity for the scholarship to be awarded to the next qualified applicant. Application deadline is Sept 30th.
The following scholarships are available:
✔      Margaret Olson Memorial Travel Scholarship (Coastal Connections): Awarded in memory of Margaret Olson to a GAME member who made the coastal connection by bringing the coast inland if the individuals could not make their way to the coast.
✔      New Membership Scholarship(Expanding Audience): Awarded to an individual seeking GAME membership for the first time.
✔      GAME Conference Scholarship: Awarded to a current GAME member with a financial need to offset conference costs.
✔      Mare Timmons Scholarship: Awarded in memory of Mare Timmons to a GAME member who is a young professional working to enhance ocean literacy in their community.
Click Here for GAME scholarship application Google form

MINI GRANT APPLICATIONS

Each year, GAME presents the opportunity to awards members and educators one of up to five $100 mini grants for educational purposes both in and out of the classroom.

Recipients will be awarded their mini grant at the annual conference during our luncheon. Only those members attending the conference will be eligible to receive the mini grant. You must also be willing to commit to sharing your mini grant experience with our GAME audience via newsletter or social media. Application deadline is Sept 30th.

Complete the application here