• Approximately 1,500 black bears live in the national park.

    Great Smoky Mountains

    National Park NC,TN

Teacher Workshops

Teachers examine organisms found in leaf litter during a teacher workshop
Teacher workshop participants examining the organisms found in leaf litter.
 

Most workshops are offered free of charge or at a reduced rate. See below for details on upcoming workshops.

Upcoming Workshops

Likin' Lichens
Friday, February 15 - Sunday, February 17, 2013
Lichens are not only beautiful but they can be used to teach concepts like symbiosis, biodiversity, air pollution effects as well as used for natural dyes. Spend the weekend at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont learning how to incorporate lichens into your curriculum through classroom and field based lessons. All lodging and meals for the week are provided. $50 non-refundable registration fee. Register through the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.

Spring Research in the Smokies
Friday, May 3 - Sunday, May 5, 2013
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is world renowned for it's biodiversity of wildflowers and salamanders. Spend a spring weekend in the Smokies to learn about field research curriculum that can be replicated in your classroom or a nearby natural area. Sign up for this workshop through the NC Museum of Natural Science. The cost is $75 but it includes lodging at Lake Junaluska and several meals for the weekend.

Smoky Mountain Science Teacher Institute
Monday, June 17 - Saturday, June 22, 2013
Spend a week in the Smokies learning about the park's incredible biological diversity and return home with exciting new ideas for involving your students in hands-on science. Throughout the week, we will visit different Smokies habitats to learn about their amazing natural resources as well as the issues threatening them. Each day you will become a citizen scientist, helping to inventory and monitor everything from salamanders to tardigrades (microscopic water bears). All lodging and meals for the week are provided. $50 non-refundable registration fee. Register through the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.

Advanced Air Quality Workshop
Friday, August 2 - Sunday, August 4, 2013
One of the greatest threats to resources in the Smokies is the effect of air pollution. Experience engaging classroom and field activities that teach core science concepts of a complex topic. Held at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, this weekend workshop lasts from Friday supper to Sunday lunch. $50 non-refundable registration fee includes all instruction, meals, lodging and classroom materials. Register through Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.

Got Elk? Fall Research in the Smokies
Friday, October 25 - Sunday, October 27, 2013
Spend the weekend exploring fall in the beautiful Cataloochee Valley, home to the new elk herd in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We will also participate in several citizen science studies designed to monitor the impacts of air pollution to park resources. These studies can be replicated back in your schoolyard or other nearby natural area. Sign up for this workshop through the NC Museum of Natural Science. The cost is $75 but it includes lodging at Lake Junaluska and several meals for the weekend.

 

Education Facilities

The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is a residential environmental learning center located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tremont offers workshops and programs for everyone, from teachers to grade school children to Elderhostel groups. Several special programs for teachers are offered including Teacher Escape Weekends, a Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification series, and Science Teacher Institutes, to help you improve your teaching skills while enjoying the beauty of the park. For more information, call (865) 448-6709 or visit the Tremont website.

Tremont also offers the Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program (SANCP) in partnership with the University of Tennessee. Complete eight courses to earn a certificate in natural history and interpretative skills.

The Smoky Mountain Field School offers high-quality workshops, hikes, and adventures for people who want to enhance their enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of the Smokies and the great outdoors. For more information and a schedule of programs, call (865) 974-0150.

  • Dispatches from the Field Dispatches from the Field

    Go behind the scenes with scientists in the Great Smoky Mountains. Read More

  • Inquiry Science - Online databases available Inquiry Science - Online databases available

    For salamander, soil and water quality and ozone studies Read More

  • All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory

    Join other citizen scientists and volunteers in discovering new species in the park. Read More

  • Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center

    Promoting research and science education Read More

Did You Know?

President Roosevelt at the park's Rockefeller Memorial.

Money to buy the land that became Great Smoky Mountains National Park was raised by individuals, private groups, and even school children who pledged their pennies. In addition, the Laura Spellman Rockefeller Memorial Fund donated $5 million to create the park.