Educators
Get your students involved in environmental education by participating in an All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) special project in the Smokies or by bringing the ATBI into your classroom. Right: Viewing microscopic slime molds at a workshop for educators. Far right: Volunteers inspect a newly caught beetle. |
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Teacher workshops focusing on how environmental and science/biodiversity education may be integrated into school curriculum, and how educators can help students become interested in nature are offered through:
- Parks
as Classrooms - Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Smoky Mountain Classrooms are environmental education programs available to area schools in North Carolina and Tennessee. The programs utilize park rangers as primary instructors with assistance from teachers.
The park's outdoor "classrooms" become the teaching resource. These K-8 programs reflect North Carolina and Tennessee curriculum objectives and educational goals. There is no charge for these programs.
- Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont: Every year,
over 4,000 students and their teachers from 13 states experience the magic of the Great Smoky
Mountains through Tremont’s school program. Tremont offers an outdoor classroom within the unique
diversity of the Smokies, talented staff and an innovative citizen science program.
- Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center: Located
at 5000 feet on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Appalachian
Highlands Science Learning Center is part of a network of what will be 32 learning centers supporting
research and education about research in our national parks.
- Smoky Mountain Field School: Offers a variety of
educational and recreational programs for those who wish to expand their knowledge of the environment,
while having fun. Field school programs are perfect for families, and adults of all ages.
- For more information on how to design special projects for students working with ATBI scientists, contact Wanda DeWaard earthkin@icx.net, of the DLIA Education Committee.
Curricula and classroom activities and lesson plans meeting state curriculum requirements are available to help you make the ATBI become part of your education goals. You will find specific programs to integrate the ATBI and environmental education into your classroom at Activities.
Resource materials, such as Biodiversity Boxes, include all the equipment necessary for teachers to carry out ATBI lesson plans and activities. Educators who wish to participate in an ATBI lesson plan, or increase their knowledge about the environment, natural areas, and resource conservation are encouraged to contact Wanda DeWaard earthkin@icx.net, of the DLIA Education Committee.
