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Erupting with learning
pridgen baking soda
Above, Pridgen shows students the proper way to measure units of a substance for an experiment. - photo by Photo by Calli Arnold

Students in Jason Pridgen and Stacie Platt’s fifth grade classes at Ebenezer Elementary School worked in groups to make their own volcano models.

In addition to teaching the students about constructive and destruction eruptions, Pridgen used the project to teach students about working in groups and about scientific procedures, methods and lingo.

The volcanoes were made of clay, a plastic cylinder, some sand and other materials students brought from home. Eruptions were simulated mixing baking soda, vinegar and food coloring.

Effingham School Board Approves $203M budget with Potential Property Tax Increase
2026 budget
This chart illustrates how the Effingham County School District’s $203 million general fund is allocated for fiscal year 2026, including spending on salaries, benefits, transportation, health services, and safety and security. (Courtesy of Effingham School District)
The Effingham County Board of Education approved a $203 million fiscal year 2026 budget Thursday night, reflecting an 11% increase over last year. The rise is largely due to an $8 million spike in health and retirement benefit costs for employees. To help cover the shortfall, the district may raise the property tax millage rate, potentially increasing homeowners’ taxes by up to 12 percent.
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