For Immediate Release
August 28, 2026
Media Contact:
Jon'a Solomon, Manager of Communications, Marketing & Public Relations
(404) 337-5701 (cell) or [email protected]
COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — The Main Street Academy (TMSA) is proud to announce its recognition by the Georgia Aquarium as a HydroLynk Certified School, honoring the school’s commitment to environmental stewardship, conservation, and hands-on learning.
The recognition celebrates the environmental work led by Ms. Jenkins’ sixth-grade class through TMSA’s partnership with the Georgia Aquarium–NOAA Ocean Guardian School Program.
Members of the Georgia Aquarium team visit The Main Street Academy as part of the school’s HydroLynk Certified School recognition and environmental education partnership. The collaboration provides Ms. Jenkins’ sixth-grade scholars with hands-on opportunities to explore environmental stewardship through the creation and ongoing care of a campus pollinator garden.
Turning Learning Into Action
As part of the initiative, Ms. Jenkins’ sixth-grade scholars established a vibrant pollinator garden on the TMSA campus. The garden now serves as a living outdoor learning environment where students can explore the connections between pollinators, plants, ecosystems, and environmental health.
While the garden has been established, the work continues. Scholars are actively involved in caring for and maintaining the garden while learning about the critical role pollinators—including bees, butterflies, and other insects—play in sustaining healthy ecosystems.
The project brings learning beyond the classroom and gives students an opportunity to apply their knowledge to an ongoing, real-world environmental effort. Through research, observation, collaboration, problem-solving, and data collection, scholars are applying STEAM skills as they monitor and care for their garden.
As the project continues, the pollinator garden will provide TMSA scholars with opportunities to observe changes over time, study local ecosystems, and better understand how their actions can contribute to a healthier environment.
A Partnership Making an Impact
Through the Georgia Aquarium–NOAA Ocean Guardian School Program, TMSA scholars are learning that environmental stewardship can begin right in their own school community. The project empowers students to take an active role in conservation while developing skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
Being recognized as a HydroLynk Certified School by Georgia Aquarium reflects TMSA’s commitment to providing scholars with authentic learning experiences and opportunities to become thoughtful stewards of their community and environment.
TMSA extends its sincere appreciation to the Georgia Aquarium team for their partnership, guidance, and support throughout this initiative. We are especially grateful to:
From left to right:
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Bailey Dawson, Director of Education, Education Department
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Alyasa Johnson, Ocean Literacy Educator, Education Department
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Rachael Keaton Buskirk, Ocean Literacy Educator, Education Department
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Lindsay Patterson, Manager of Ocean Literacy & Outreach, Education Department
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Elaine Alberts, Social Impact Strategist, Strategy & Planning Department
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Patrick McDonald, Assistant Manager of Ocean Literacy & Community Programs, Education Department
Thank you for investing in our scholars and helping TMSA bring environmental learning to life. Your partnership has provided Ms. Jenkins’ sixth-grade scholars with meaningful opportunities to explore conservation, apply STEAM learning, and make a positive impact on their school community.
This recognition embodies TMSA’s commitment to Intentional Excellence Centered in Community—empowering scholars to explore, create, discover, and make a meaningful difference in the world around them.
About The Main Street Academy
The Main Street Academy (TMSA) is a tuition-free public charter school serving scholars in grades K–8 in College Park, Georgia. TMSA is committed to providing an innovative, student-centered educational experience grounded in Intentional Excellence, Centered in Community. Through its STEAM-focused learning environment, Schoolwide Enrichment Model, Agriculture Program, and hands-on opportunities, TMSA empowers scholars to explore their interests, develop real-world skills, and prepare for future success.
About Georgia Aquarium:
Georgia Aquarium is a leading 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Atlanta, Ga. that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Georgia Aquarium is committed to working on behalf of all marine life through education, preservation, exceptional animal care, and research across the globe. Georgia Aquarium continues its mission each day to inspire, educate, and entertain its millions of guests about the aquatic biodiversity throughout the world through its hundreds of exhibits and tens of thousands of animals across its eight major galleries. For more information, visit georgiaaquarium.org