Georgia Academy of Science 2025 Annual Meeting
GAS 2025
Young Harris College is happy to welcome the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science (GAS) on Friday, March 7 through Saturday, March 8.
We hope that you will join us this March to enjoy a weekend filled with interesting discussions and presentations of scientific research in the beautiful mountains of northern Georgia!
Registration
Registration is now open, register below. Early Registration pricing has ended.
| Registration Type | Early Registration | Late Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty (Members) | $145 | $160 |
| Faculty (Non-members) | $180 | $195 |
| Student (Members) | $55 | $65 |
| Student (Non-members) | $65 | $75 |
Program
The annual meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science is a two-day event held on Friday, March 7, 2025, and Saturday, March 8, 2025. This event shares the outstanding research across many STEM disciplines conducted by undergraduate and graduate students and faculty across Georgia through oral and poster presentations. The program features a keynote address on Friday evening and the Academy’s annual business meeting on Saturday afternoon. Science faculty and students from colleges and universities throughout the state are encouraged to participate. For more details about the Georgia Academy of Science, visit: georgiaacademyofscience.org.
Keynote Speaker
Speaker: Dr. Bonnie K. Baxter
Title of talk: Great Salt Lake: From Earth to Mars
Bonnie K. Baxter, Ph.D. is a Professor of Biology and Director of Great Salt Lake Institute at Westminster University, which focuses on collaborative research and community connections. Dr. Baxter researches the lake’s extreme microbiology, especially the foundation of the ecosystem-the algae and cyanobacteria that feed the brine shrimp and flies. She has published a trove of scientific articles on the lake’s extreme biology, the first academic book on the biology of Great Salt Lake, and the first children’s book about this lake. Dedicated to public speaking, Dr. Baxter has become a “spokescientist,” explaining the water crisis at the lake to government representatives, the media, and the community.
Directions to YHC campus
From Atlanta:
Take I-75 North to exit 268. Follow I-575 N (Hwy 5/US 76/Hwy 515) through Jasper, Ellijay, Blue Ridge, and Blairsville to Young Harris. YHC will be on the right. This is the easiest way.
From I-85 North:
Take I-985/Hwy 365, left on Hwy 52 to US 129 North to Cleveland, Hwy 75 North through Helen, US 76 West through Hiawassee to Young Harris. YHC will be on the left.
From GA 400 North:
Continue to the end, go straight ahead on two-lane county road (Longbranch Rd.) and right on Hwy 52/115 to Cleveland, Hwy 75 North through Helen, US 76 West through Hiawassee to Young Harris. YHC will be on the left.
Lodging, Food, Entertainment
Where to Stay
Whether you want to stay in the great outdoors with a cabin rental on Lake Chatuge or relax in the comfort of a north Georgia mountain resort, Towns County offers a wide array of lodging accommodations to suit your needs.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Holiday Inn Express in Hiawasee for $99/night (300 Big Sky Dr, Hiawassee, GA 30546; 706-896-8884). Please use the code GAS when reserving the room to get this rate. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Comfort Inn in Blairsville for $139/night (90 Fisher Street, Blairsville, GA 30512; 706-745-6844). Please use the code GAS when reserving the room to get this rate. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Here is a list of other hotels in the area:
Ridges Resort $189.00/night +tax (706-896-2262)
Brasstown Valley Resort $259.00/night+tax (706-379-9900)
Lake Chatuge Lodge $104.00/night + tax (706-896-5253)
Best Western Milton Inn $110.00/night+tax (706-745-6995)
Where to Eat
In addition to all of the major restaurant chains and a wealth of family-owned restaurants, the Young Harris area provides fine dining experiences, cafés, choice steak houses, charming bistros and quick service food. You’ll find outstanding restaurants to suit any craving and any budget.
What to Do
It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures like fishing, hiking and horseback riding, or a cultural immersion in the area’s art galleries, cinemas and theatres—you’ll find it all in Young Harris! And, of course, we also feature some of the best golf courses in the state.
Content on this section appears courtesy of the Towns County Chamber of Commerce. If you would like more information about planning your stay in Young Harris, please visit their website.
