Join us as we search for the majestic elk, reintroduced to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after an absence of more than 200 years. Observe and learn about elk biology, while also exploring other facets of the Park’s ecosystem. Sample some activities used to document the biodiversity of the Park. Participate in citizen science data collection on snails and lichens. Discover how you can bring the excitement of field research into your classroom.
Credit: 20 contact hours toward CEUs or Criteria II/III for North Carolina’s Environmental Education Certification Program
Lodging: The workshop fee covers a two-night stay in a lodge in Lake Junaluska, NC. Most rooms will be double occupancy.
Transportation: Participants can ride with the group from Raleigh departing at 2pm or meet us at the lodging in Lake Junaluska in the evening. Transportation will be in Museum vans.
Registration: Register now online
The full workshop fee is due when you register and payment is via credit card. Registration for most Educator Treks is on a first-come, first-served basis. Treks fill quickly, so register early! IF you find the program is full when you attempt to register, please sign up for the waiting list! We frequently have turnover and often pull from the waiting list. We will let you know as soon as possible if a spot opens for you.
Note: We do not want cost to be a barrier for any educator. If the cost of this workshop would prevent your participation, please reach out to Megan Davis. The cost of this workshop is subsidized by the Teacher Education fund at the NCMNS.
Step back in time 290 million years to the age before the dinosaurs to discover the weird and wonderful life of the Permian Period. Dr. Christian Kammerer, Research Curator of Paleontology, will join us as we learn about the history of Earth and the evolution of organisms based on evidence from the fossil record. We’ll get a behind-the-scenes peek at current research and collections in the field of paleontology, and we’ll practice our critical thinking skills as we do activities related to stratigraphy and taphonomy. Leave feeling inspired to use fossils as teaching tools!
NOTE: This educator trek will take place at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Content of this workshop is unique and does not overlap with the field-based “Digging Prehistory” Educator Trek. We encourage anyone who can to sign up for both!
Credit: 8 contact hours toward CEUs or Criteria II/III for North Carolina’s Environmental Education Certification Program
All in-person programs will follow current state and federal health guidelines and apply a range of safety measures to mitigate health risks, including wearing masks while indoors, in vehicles, or in close proximity in the outdoors; smaller class sizes; moving into larger rooms (if indoors); keeping participants a safe distance from each other; and increasing sanitation efforts.
Please note that in-person programs are subject to change or cancellation depending on COVID-19 restrictions. A full refund would be provided in event of a cancellation.