Coastal Plain

We’re in Augusta to learn about careers in the medical field with a visit to Augusta University! Up first we meet a doctor specializing in wilderness medicine who was actually the first person in his family to go to college. Very inspirational! But if those years of medical school sound daunting to you, we also learn about being an athletic trainer, the field of nuclear medicine technology, and the artistic career of medical illustration.

It’s a little-known fact that Georgia farms grew olives back in the 1800s. But it’s becoming a much bigger-known fact that this crop is making a comeback. Thanks to people like State Representative and farmer Jason Shaw, we learn why our state’s climate is so hospitable to the olive, encouraging a whole new industry. And while we’re visiting the southern side of the state, we take a ride on the Georgia Grown Trail to cultivate our knowledge about agritourism.

A trip to any mall will give you a look at thousands of items that weren’t created down the street. Many of them were imported from distant lands. And the Georgia Ports Authority in Savannah … the fourth largest port in the country … is the point of entry for, quite literally, tons of them. The Georgia Ports Authority has a job for just about any interest. They’re governed by logistics and driven by technology—technology that you might be able to learn by … playing video games. You’ll want to see this.

All animals should have it as good as the patients at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, where the staff is doing some richly rewarding work! The highlight of our visit is an up-close look at a surgical procedure on an injured sea turtle named Sendac. In addition, we take a guided tour, shoot behind the scenes, and interview the center's director, nursing staff, and more. Teachable Moments include a definition and explanation of ecosystems, and a description of why honey is a great substance for treating turtle wounds.

We're given a VIP tour of some extremely impressive facilities within Gulfstream Aerospace, where we interview a wide range of employees. We begin with a focus on engineering but quickly learn there are a variety of employment opportunities available at Gulfstream. And if you’ve ever wondered how planes fly, this video will help, as our experts explain Bernoulli's Principle. Of course, once you know how they fly, you’ll want to know how fast they go. That’s why we also include explanations of the terms mach and supersonic.

It’s true that Georgia is about 2,000 miles from Hollywood, but the film and television industries are actually much closer. In fact, they're right here in Georgia. We talk with the people at Meddin Studios in Savannah to learn why film and television are responsible for Georgia’s fastest-growing job markets. We also find out what kinds of jobs are available, how to get started, and why the folks at Meddin love what they do.

Despite what you see in cartoons, not all park rangers say, “Hey, Boo-Boo!” Luckily, one of ours does. You’ll want to meet her, along with the other rangers who help maintain this beautiful state park located just outside of Savannah. Not only is it a great place to get away for a few days, it’s also a great place for Teachable Moments, as we go well over our quota on this barrier island!

Deep in the southwest corner of the state, maybe where you’d least expect it, you’ll find Georgia’s biggest certified organic farm. White Oak Pastures is a fifth-generation family-owned farm established in 1866, but “born on the internet.” In addition to Teachable Moments about sustainable agriculture, monocultural versus polycultural farming, and the Serengeti Plains Rotational Grazing Model, you’ll want to watch the owners, Will and Jenni Harris, test themselves against the Fast Forward Meat-O-Meter!