Story by Kerry Jarvis and Photos by CEAR Hub
In collaboration with the College of Lifetime Learning’s CEISMC efforts and based at the Georgia Tech Savannah campus, the CEAR Hub is focused on applied research that serves coastal communities. Led by Georgia Tech scientists, in partnership with community nonprofits and local groups, the hub works to build a future informed by data, guided by strategy, and empowered by knowledge.
Pin Point is a small enclave in Chatham County with deep roots in the heritage of the Gullah Geechee people, descendants of Africans enslaved on rice, indigo, and cotton plantations on isolated barrier islands along the coast. Today, the community faces mounting threats from climate change, severe weather events, and coastal development. Once home to a thriving oyster factory that employed many residents, Pin Point now experiences frequent flooding and growing threats to its infrastructure due to environmental impacts.
Since 2023, CEAR Hub has partnered with the Pin Point Betterment Association to advance strategies aimed at reducing storm impacts, enhancing public safety, and improving overall quality of life in the community.
A recurring concern raised by residents is ensuring youth involvement to support the succession of knowledge and continuity of efforts long after Georgia Tech’s direct involvement ends. One strategy focuses on building resilience by empowering young people to understand the challenges facing their community and equipping them with the skills and tools needed to continue this work. Projects related to solar energy, flooding, and community gardening have created meaningful pathways for learning and engagement.
"My main goal with youth is helping students recognize the role they play in shaping the health of our environment—and empowering them with the knowledge and skills to reduce their impact through informed, intentional choices,” said Lesa Hagins, CEISMC educational outreach manager. “In the spirit of lifelong learning, this work has been transformative for me as well. With living in the Savannah area most of my life, I had not previously understood the deep history, resilience, and challenges of a community like Pin Point.”
Stephanie Anderson, co-chair of the Garden Committee and recording secretary of the Pin Point Betterment Association, said the partnership plays a critical role in strengthening K-12 programming by bridging innovation, culture, and community engagement.
“The partnership enhances academic enrichment by introducing hands-on learning experiences, mentorship programs, and real-world applications that have sparked their [the neighborhood youth’s] curiosity and prepares them for the future,” Anderson said.
