NPS Photo by Susan Sachs

Students collect data for lichen monitoring study.

Education Programs at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center

The Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center offers educational opportunities for middle, high school and college students. Pre-service teaching internships and educator training workshops are also available. All education programs focus on involving groups in hands-on learning while providing valuable data for actual park research projects. If you are interested in participating in any of our education programs, contact the education coordinator.

On Site Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Educator Training Opportunities

NPS Photo

A park ranger assists a high school student in checking a salamander for a mark indicating a previous capture.

On-Site Programs

The programs below are geared towards middle school and high school students but can also be adapted for use with college groups. All programs are aligned with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and the National Science Education Standards.

NPS Photo by Susan Sachs

Two college students study soil properties.

Focus on Soil Health - Grade 6, High School Biology, Earth Science, AP Biology, AP Chemistry

Students study soils, the associated soils food chain and threats to this system during their field experience. Using a detailed data sheet, students work in small groups to analyze soil properties. In addition, students use a variety of techniques to do an inventory of soil macro-invertebrates. A special attempt is made to search out abandoned snail shells as part of an on-going inventory to monitor their populations. Snail numbers are of concern to scientists because of diminishing levels of calcium in soil resulting from acid deposition. All data collected is posted on the internet via an on-line database. Follow this link to see the soil macroinvertebrate study.

NPS Photo by Susan Sachs

Students collect data in the ozone biomonitoring garden.

Focus on Air Quality - Grade 7, High School Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, AP Biology and AP Chemistry

Students visit an ozone bio-monitoring garden, located at Purchase Knob, that has been planted with species sensitive to ground-level ozone. Students develop and use estimation techniques to determine the amount of damage on leaves of the plants. In another activity, students participate in a lichen monitoring study, collecting data on the type and amount of sulfur sensitive lichen they observe on specific trees. Once back in the classroom, students analyze their data that has been entered into two websites. Follow these links for more information on the ozone bio-monitoring study and the lichen monitoring project.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Mays

A Santeetlah salamander.

Focus on the Scientific Method and Aquatic Biology - Grade 8, High School Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, AP Biology and AP Chemistry

Students work their way through the scientific method as they collect data on two long-term monitoring projects. One group of students will go to a creek to collect water quality data and recapture information for a salamander mark and recapture study. The other group of students will visit a permanent monitoring plot to sample for spiders using a variety of exciting techniques. Data is taken back to the classroom where students analyze it to create a scientific paper. Follow this link to view data collected on the salamander mark/recapture study. Maximum group size is 40.

Frequently asked questions:

Is this just another field trip? No, the educational program offered at Purchase Knob involves students in real scientific research. Various researchers have worked with park staff to develop ways students can collect meaningful data while still meeting teachers' classroom needs. All programs are correlated with the National Science Education Standards and North Carolina curriculum standards of the targeted grade. The program utilizes park rangers as the subject experts and primary instructors. The park becomes an outdoor "classroom". In addition to the field experience, all units contain a pre-visit packet with logistical information and pre- and post-site lessons for use in the classroom.

How can my class participate? Programs are offered weekdays in the spring and fall from 10:00-1:00 (we can be flexible on time). Class size: minimum 10, maximum 60, unless otherwise noted. School groups are required to be accompanied by teachers and chaperones, with at least one per ten students. Teachers and chaperones are responsible for discipline and must remain with the group during the program. Portions of the program are conducted rain or shine.

Is there a fee for the program? No, the costs for programs at Purchase Knob are covered through donations from Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains Association.

NPS photo by Susan Sachs

Teachers snorkel for hellbenders during a workshop.

Educator Training Opportunities

Professional development seminars are offered on a variety of topics in partnership with a variety of organizations. New training opportunities are added occasionally so check back periodically for upcoming opportunities. Many of our training seminars are funded through generous grants to Friends of the Smokies from Toyota and the NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation.

2009 Workshops: All workshops qualify for North Carolina state environmental education criteria I, II or III credit and continuing education unit (CEU's) depending on the workshop length.

Western Carolina Center for Math and Science: This year we are partnering with the WCU Center for Math and Science to offer a series of workshops. 

Saturday, January 31: Native Waters
Saturday, February 28: Wild About Elk
Saturday, March 14: Hands on the Past
Wednesday, June 17: Vernier Technology Training

For more information about these workshops or to register, please visit the website for the WCU Center for Math and Science.

Friday, February 20 - Sunday, February 22: Liken' Lichens. Spend a weekend at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont learning how to identify lichens, about lichens as a habitat for Tardigrades (microscopic waterbears), how to make natural dyes with them and other fascinating lichen facts. This workshop is funded by Toyota and will only cost $50 for educators, others may attend for a fee of $260. Register from the Tremont website.

Friday, April 24 - Sunday, April 6: Spring in the Mountains. Join us as we explore cove forests and stream-side habitats for the blooms of spring — trillium, foamflower, mayapple and violets to name a few. Learn about the fascinating life histories of these spring ephemerals from pollination to seed dispersal. Our hikes will also take us into prime wildlife habitat — home to black bear, wild turkey, elk and returning neotropical migratory birds. Learn techniques for studying salamanders that you can replicate in your classroom. Bring your camera and hiking boots as moderately strenuous hiking is likely. The cost of this workshop is offset by a grant from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation and Toyota. $45 transportation fee; but includes lodging, take home materials and some meals. Register through the NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

Sunday, June 14- Friday, June 19: Smoky Mountain Science Teacher Institute at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Staffs at Tremont and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are teaming up with researchers and Discover Life in America to offer teachers an exciting week of studying the amazing biological diversity in the park. Fill your teaching toolbox with science and technology skills and discover all that the park has to offer. After completing the workshop, you and your students will be able to take advantage of opportunities to apply those skills by participating in citizen science activities in the park or in your schoolyard. For more information on the workshop and registration information visit Tremont's website.

Pisgah Forest Institute: This year the Smokies is partnering with the Pisgah Forest Institute on three different workshops. 

July 12-17: Earth/Environmental Science for Middle and High School Teachers.
July 19-24: Earth/Environmental Science for Elementary Teachers
July 29-31: Advanced Air Quality: Ground-level Ozone & Measuring Air Quality. 
This year we are teaming up with the Pisgah Forest Institute to offer our Advanced Air Quality workshop. Taught by leading air quality specialists with the US Forest Service and National Park Service, this workshop targets high school teachers and other interested educators. The workshop focuses on the science and issues of ground-level ozone. Look at ozone symptoms on vegetation and explore related interactive software and web resources at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center and at Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

For more information on these FREE workshops, including how to apply, visit the Pisgah Forest Institute's website.

Friday, October 23 - Sunday, October 25: Got Elk? Fall Research in the Smokies. Spend a weekend in the Smokies participating in research projects on elk, lichens and snails Cataloochee Valley. This workshop is being coordinated by the NC Museum of Natural Science so visit the Educator Trek's section of their website to register. The cost of this workshop is offset by a grant from Toyota and the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation. $45 transportation fee; but includes lodging, take home materials and some meals.

Friday, November 6 - Sunday, November 8: Geology of the Smokies. Spend a weekend at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont as you journey back in geologic time.  Investigate the park's different geologic aspects as well as discuss the billion year old history of the rocks of the Smokies, with emphasis on the processes that are unique to the region.  We will discuss and examine igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks exposed within the park, and geologic structures like folds and faults that illustrate its complex tectonic hisotry.  We'll relate the rocks to the biological world and the classroom.  This workshop is funded by Toyota and will only cost $50 for educators, others may attend for a fee of $260. Register from the Tremont website.