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Pocket Worlds: Weekly Wonder Series

Season 1, Episode 5 of the Weekly Wonder Series. Sometimes the tiniest corners can contain entire worlds for us to discover! Join the team as […]

Parks as Classrooms: Terrestrial Macro-invertebrates

Park Rangers give an introduction to Terrestrial Macro Invertebrates and their importance to the ecosystem! This video is also used in the “Investigating Invertebrates” education […]

Notice Like A Naturalist Activity

This activity will assist with developing skills for observation, questioning, and connecting with the natural world through your own discoveries!

Shadows and Suntracks Video

Discover what your shadow can tell you about the location of the sun overhead! Join Rangers from Alaska to the Virgin Islands to explore shadows […]

Lovin the Lichens Instructional Video

Explore the lichens throughout the southern Appalachian Mountains area, both on and off the park. Learn lots about how interesting lichens are!

Know Your Neighbors: Lichens Activity Worksheet

This worksheet provides good information about Lichens, with photos and prompting questions for students.

Schoolyard Lichen Survey Activity Worksheet

In this activity, students will collect data on the three different lichen growth forms using the same protocol in a Smokies long-term monitoring project. This […]

Create a Backyard Sound Map video

See how to create a sound map of your own backyard! Join Ranger Rhonda (and her trusty canine partner) for a nature experience at home. […]

Woodpecker and Nuthatch Kinetic Toys Instructional Video

Video demonstrates how to make a simple kinetic toy and provides information about woodpeckers, their adaptations and their role in the ecosystem, as well as […]

Woodpecker and Nuthatch Kinetic Activity Part 2 Worksheet

This activity sheet provides instructions in making simple kinetic toys in demonstrating “woodpecker physics”. See the “Woodpecker and Nuthatch Kinetic Toys Instructional Video” that pairs […]

Discover Lichens Instructional Video

Learn about Lichens and their importance to ecosystems in this video with Dr. James Lendemer.

Lichens Are so Awesome Student Music Video

Enjoy this fun, student-created music video about Lichens and how cool they are!

Parks as Classrooms: Observation Skills

Learn how to observe in nature using the three I’s – I notice, I wonder and It reminds me of. This video is for elementary […]

Cherokee Pottery JR Ranger Program Instructional Video

Watch families completing a JR Ranger project create traditional Cherokee pottery. Some of the traditional Cherokee pottery includes pinch pots, coil vessels, and statues of […]

Corn Shuck Doll Instructional Video

Corn husk dolls were a fun part of Appalachian history for kids. Join Ranger Florie in twisting and tying corn husks to create your own […]

Magic Drawing Bear 1 Instructional Video

Can you guess what Magic Bear is drawing?

Magic Drawing Bear 2 Instructional Video

Can you guess what Magic Bear is drawing?

How to Draw a Salamander Instructional Video

Learn tips and tricks for drawing the iconic Smokies critter, the salamander!

Parks as Classroom: Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Follow some Smokies Park Rangers as they search in a stream to determine its health. This pairs with a free, ranger-led program. Contact grms_education@nps.gov to […]

Parks as Classrooms: Observation Skills

Tune in to the natural world around you using these techniques that will hone your observation skills. This video is for middle and high school […]

A Morning with the Oconaluftee Elk Video

An early morning, following the Oconaluftee elk herd as they graze on grass and play amongst themselves.

Take a Hike Waterfall Video

Take a virtual hike to a waterfall through this video, and enjoy some of the diversity shown along the way!

Butterflies of the Smokies Video

Enjoy this quiet video following beautiful butterflies, while they get the last bit of nectar from wildflowers in the Smokies during the fall.

Dogwoods in Bloom Video

The Smokies’ dogwood flowers are the spotlight of this tranquil video.

Spring Bursts Video

Enjoy this video showcasing the amazing variety of wildflowers in the Smokies!

Spring in the Oconaluftee Valley Video

A video focusing on a plethora of wildflowers and trees in bloom in the early spring of the Oconaluftee Valley.

A Gentle Float to Mingus Mill Video

Follow a dogwood flower as it travels from Mingus Creek into the mill pond, millrace, and flume of Mingus Mill.

Know Your Neighbors: Spiders Activity

Learn about your neighbor, spiders! Explore their characteristics and their spiderwebs.

Know Your Neighbors: Snails Activity

Learn about your neighbor, snails! Explore their characteristics and their role in the ecosystem.

Know Your Neighbors: Lichens Activity

What is lichen and where can you find it? In this activity, you will begin to learn about your very interesting neighbor, lichen!

Art in Nature Activity

Focus on observing nature through an artistic approach! Practice creating your own nature art using basic desing elements and natural materials.

Scientific Investigations Activity

This activity is a follow up to the “Notice Like A Naturalist” activity, expanding on your “I wonder” questions by designing and presenting a scientific […]

The Story of All Life Part 2 Student Music Video

This music video, created by Rockwood Middle School and Tremont, explores how the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s conservation and habitat management can positively change […]

The Story of All Life Part 2 Student Lyrics

Sing a long, or follow along with the Story of Life II Video with these lyrics. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an example of […]

The Story of All Life, Part 1 Lyrics

The Smokies were formed by tectonic plate interactions, weathering & erosion, creating a varied terrain perfect for biodiversity. Sing along (or follow along) with the […]

The Story of All Life Part 1 Student Music Video

The Smokies were formed by tectonic plate interactions, weathering & erosion, creating a varied terrain perfect for biodiversity. Watch a fun music video created by […]

Biodiversity All Around Us-Backyard Biodiversity Challenge Activity

The Smokies is trying to identify all forms of life in their ATBI (All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory). Watch a couple of fun music videos to […]

Atlas of Life, Using iNaturalist Data in the Smokies

Explore how we use all of the iNaturalist data that is collected in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Searching for Life in GSMNP Lesson: Mini-ATBI Activity

This activity pairs well with the “iNaturalist What Lives in Your Neighborhood” video. Explore an area in a backyard or schoolyard to create a biological […]

iNaturalist-What Lives in Your Neighborhood? Video

Join Julie of “Discover Life in America” in discovering nature in your neighborhood and reporting via the iNaturalist app. Snap a photo and this phone […]

What is My Ecosystem Address? Activity

Use the resources provided in this activity to research your home states’ abiotic factors and biodiversity. Compare and contrast your home state to Great Smoky […]

Abiotic Student Music Video: Worthy of Respect

Learn about the importance of the abiotic world all around you, through this music video and the What is My Ecosystem Address? activity provided.

Virtual Ozone Monitoring Activity Lesson: Ozone Damage Data Collection

Collect data on the visible symptoms of ground level ozone on a plant sensitive to this air pollutant. Students estimate the percentage of ozone damage […]

Air Yeah Student Music Video

Watch a fun music video created by Moody High School students to learn about air pollution in the Smokies.

Air Yeah Lyrics

Lyrics to the Moody High School music video on Air Pollution.

Air Quality Factor (GSMNP Website)

Learn about the research being done in Great Smoky Mountains NP, uncovering the pollutants and factors affecting the air quality in the park! Click here […]

Water Quality Factor (GRSMNP Website)

Learn all about the water quality in Great Smoky Mountains NP as well as the human and environmental factors that are affecting it. Click here […]

Natural Resource Observation Activity

Observation is an important skill for any scientific study. Use the sheet provided to take notes and observe the natural resources in your area! Before […]

Sensory Scavenger Hunt Instructional Video

Join Ranger Lishika as she guides you on a “sensory scavenger hunt” in your own backyard, school yard, or local natural area!

Sensory Scavenger Hunt Activity

This document guides you through the “sensory scavenger hunt”, providing some actions to get you started on your exploration.

Nature’s Calendar: What is Phenology? Activity

From “NatureBridge: Outside Still Open” series, an activity explaining phenology and the effects of climate change on the environment. Explore your own backyard or nearby […]

Phenology Activity Video

A video explaining phenology and citizen science efforts in the Smokies. Focus given to impacts of climate change on ecosystems, diversity and adaptations of plants […]

John Muir Laws Nature Journaling Activity

Free download of John Muir Laws book “Opening the World through Nature Journaling.” Click here to get started.

NPS Junior Ranger Sounds Explorer Activity Book

As an NPS Junior Ranger Sounds Explorer you will explore the sounds you hear in parks, learn the science of sound and why it is […]

Starry Lyrics

This lyric sheet can be paired with the “Starry” student music video. Includes information on relating the music to Tennessee State Standards (science).

Starry Music Student Music Video

This music video is a collaboration between the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont and Lenoir Middle School. It is a fun pop song to […]

GSMNP Website: Planting

Learn about how historically the moon and the lunar cycle were used for farming. Explores the folklore and historical significance behind farming traditions. Click here […]

Moon Journal Activity Worksheet

Free download of the Moon Journal Activity used in the Moon Observation video. Draw how the moon looks each night for one month to see […]

Moon Observation Activity

Observe the moon like our ancestors. Find a dark spot away from as much light as possible and with an adult, observe how many of […]

Moon Observation Video

This video explores moon phases by using the Moon Journal Activity and visual observation to document how the moon looks each night of the month. […]

Shadow Mapping Lesson Activity

Use this document to conduct your own shadow mapping and sun tracking experiment!

River Observation Activity Worksheet

Use this worksheet for your own scientific study! Make your own observations to help determine the health of a river, creek, stream, lake, or pond […]

Summer Wildflowers Video

In this video, you will explore the bright and beautiful wildflowers that bloom in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the spring and summer.

Flower Scavenger Hunt Activity

Wildflower lovers will enjoy this fun scavenger hunt! Explore all different kinds of wildflowers as you check off the different flower characteristics listed on the […]

Killer Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Student Music Video

This fun music video explores Wooly Adelgid, a killer of Hemlock trees, and includes an activity.

The Xylem Isn’t Flowing Activity Lesson

This activity uses an active demonstration to help students understand how an almost microscopic insect can kill a big tree like a Hemlock in under […]

Hemlock Wooly Adelgid/Eastern Hemlock Video

Learn about Eastern Hemlock trees with Ranger Rhonda, and discover how these trees are struggling for survival against the non-native Wooly Adelgid.

Adventures with Kahawis Video

AmeriCorps service member Kahawis takes the viewer on a tour of her favorite places in GSMNP.

Rivers-More than Skin Deep Video

Get to know what’s going on beneath the surface of our rivers! This video provides a glimpse into the movements and the diversity of aquatic […]

Hidden Rivers Video

Enjoy this video showcasing the vast amount of beauty and diversity of life found in the waters of the Southern Appalachian mountains!

Corn is King Video

Join Ranger Florie in this video as she explores some history and the various ways the settlers of Southern Appalachia used corn beginning in the […]

Timber Lyrics

Memorize the people involved in the timber operations and the trees that were cut down, through the lyrics in this document!

Spring on Fodderstack Mountain Music Video

Enjoy a short clip of banjo music as you watch spring blossom on Fodderstack Mountain. See more videos like this! Click below to explore other […]

Timber Student Music Video

Join Tremont staff and learn the history of logging operations in the Southern Appalachians during the early 1900’s, through song! Sing along to the lyrics […]

We Made the Park Lyrics

Sing along with the students about the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains NP, with the lyrics provided in this document!

Mountain Life Activity: The Mountain Home and Tools

In this activity, students are given a narrative to assist them in visualizing a working farm in the Southern Appalachian mountains during the 1800’s for […]

Learn GSMNP Introductory (Natural History) Video

Take a walk through the history of Great Smoky Mountains NP and the people of the area with Tremont staff. Beginning the journey over 10,000 […]

We Made the Park Student Music Video

Learn about the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains NP and the people involved, through song! Sing along to the lyrics provided in the activity.

Insect Tracking Activity Worksheet

Go outside and explore the world of an insect with this insect tracking map. For this activity, students will find an interesting insect and create […]

Monarchs are Gone Lyrics

Lyrics to “Monarchs Gone” by Walland Elementary. Also find information on how to relate this song to Tennessee State Standards (science).

Tracking the Zebra Butterfly Instructional Video

In this video, you will follow Lauren as she creates an Insect Tracking Map. She follows a beautiful Zebra Butterfly around Great Smoky Mountains Institute […]

Monarchs are Gone Student Music Video

The Monarch butterfly species is facing a crisis. Join Walland Elementary in their rendition of “Monarchs Gone” to find out what is happening to these […]

Photosynthesis Student Music Video

Learn about the scientific process of photosynthesis through song with students! Sing along to the lyrics provided in the package.

All the Salamanders Student Music Video

Learn all about salamanders in the salamander capital of the world, Great Smoky Mountains NP! In this song, you can learn about salamander diversity, migration […]

We Are Bears Student Music Video

Explore the history, life cycle, and threats facing black bears in Great Smoky Mountains NP through song! Sing along to the song with the lyrics […]

Old Harp Singing Mountain Music Video

Listen to East Tennessee Old Harp Singers and Guests gather in Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Church to sing. See more videos like this! Click […]

Boogertown Gap Mountain Music Video

Listen to old-time string band Boogertown Gap sing traditional Appalachian folk music. See more videos like this! Click below to explore other videos related to […]

Stuart Squrrel Learns a Lesson Smoky Mountain Story Video

Listen to author and Smokies Education Volunteer Sandra Aldrich read “Stuart Squirrel Learns a Lesson”, with illustrations by Ryan Webb. Stuart learns a very important […]

Community Naturalists Introductory Video

Introductory video to the following activities; start with “Notice like a Naturalist” and then experiment with the “Know Your Neighbors” mini-guides and the post activities […]

Black Bear Journaling

Sketch along with Tremont Institute Teacher Naturalist Luke Schutzman as he explores the history and role of the American Black Bear in Great Smoky Mountains […]

We Are Bears Lyrics

Sing along with the students about black bears in the Smokies, with the lyrics provided in this document!

Bear Research-Back Track, GSMNP Website

An in-depth look at the history of bear management and bear research in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Click here to get started.

GPS Bears Interactive Map-Follow the Bears, GRSMNP Website

This story-map follows two radio collared bears that are part of study to see how far bears travel in the Smokies.

iScience Series: Discover Madtoms Video

Discover madtoms! Learn about madtoms and their role in the freshwater ecosystem.

Fishy Fragments Video

North America has the greatest temperate freshwater fish diversity with over 800 known species! Learn a little about some of the species’ life and habits […]

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Coloring Pages

Six downloadable coloring pages from Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, based around nature and history in GSMNP. To view our full library of coloring […]

Southern Salvelinus-Brook Trout Below Mason-Dixon Video

Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations are a valuable indicator species of our beautiful streams. Watch this video to learn how Rainbow trout are outcompeting the […]

Saving Brook Trout in the Smokies Video

Learn more about the only trout species native to the Southern Appalachians, and the efforts by National Park Service biologists to strengthen their numbers!

GRSMNP Climate Change and the Red-cheeked Salamander Website & Video

Great Smoky Mountains National Park summer high school interns assist a researcher in studying the park’s high elevation salamanders in this episode of Outside Science, […]

GRSM Amphibians Website

Read about Amphibians in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more background information for the Salamander News! activity. Click here to learn more.

A Backyard Camping with Smokies Rangers Video

Come along and explore the night sounds with Ranger Hannah, make Ranger Jessie’s favorite camping breakfast, and explore during the day with Ranger Camille.

Salamander News! Research Activity Lesson

After watching one of our salamander videos, students create a newspaper style article about this iconic Smokies amphibian.

All the Salamanders Lyrics

Sing along with students about salamanders in the Smokies, with the lyrics provided in this document!

Smokies Salamanders Video

Come along with student interns as they help inventory salamanders and learn why these amphibians are important to the Smokies! Click here to get started.

Lichens are So Awesome Student Lyrics

This worksheet provides basic information about Lichens as well as the “Lichens are So Awesome” student lyrics.

The Last Dragons: Protecting Appalachia’s Hellbenders Video

Take a dive to the bottom of the Southern Appalachian streams with US Forest Rangers in this video. You will learn about North America’s biggest […]

Photosynthesis Lyrics

Memorize the anatomy of trees and the photosynthesis processes through the lyrics in this document!

Parks as Classrooms: Health of the Park

What does health mean to you? Learn what it means to Park Rangers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and why it is important to […]

Parks as Classrooms: Tardigrades

There is a microscopic world that lives in mosses and lichens. Learn about Tardigrades Park Researcher Paul Bartels and join in on dance party with […]

Parks as Classrooms: Smoky Mountain Trucks

Learn about different jobs that Park Rangers have by the trucks they use in their work.

Mountain Life Festival: Preview

This short video introduces the Mountain Farm Museum in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the virtual Mountain Farm festival that is held in this […]

Mountain Life Festival: Domestic Work

A short video that explores household chores that were common in a traditional Appalachian home at the turn of the 19th century.

Mountain Life Festival: Sorgum Making

See how Sorgum syrup is made in this short video. Learn how Sorgum, originating in the America’s from enslaved Africans, is used as a sweetener […]

Mountain Life Festival: Farming

What are the many ways wood was used in a 19th century Appalachian farm? What did a farm look like during that time? Check out […]

Mountain Life Festival: Corn Use

Corn is a traditional diet staple of the Cherokee and is one of our most popular crops today. Learn about the history and growing of […]

Mountain Life Festival: Apple Use

Apple pie, apple butter, apple cider, apple yum! Apples were easy to grow and store so they were a staple of the traditional Appalachian farm. […]

Mountain Life Festival: Wrap Up

Preparing for winter, fall is an important time for mountain life. This series showed you what is done in fall on a traditional Appalachian mountain […]

Find Curiosity Outside: Weekly Wonder Series

Season 1, Episode 1 of the Weekly Wonder series. Join us in our series premier as we practice paying attention to our surroundings and investigate […]

Making a Field Guide: Weekly Wonder Series

Season 1, Episode 2 of the Weekly Wonder Series. Put your observation and artistic skills to the test as we make field guides for spider […]

Level Up Challenge: Weekly Wonder Series

Season 1, Episode 3 of the Weekly Wonder Series. Get outside and observe the seasonal change with the Level Up Challenge! Earn points for your […]

Sound Mapping : Weekly Wonder Series

Season 1, Episode 4 of the Weekly Wonder Series. In these stressful times, nature can be a wonderful source of calm. Join us as we […]

Stability and Change: Weekly Wonder Series

Season 1, Episode 6 of the Weekly Wonder Series. Go grab some leaves and join us as we explore stability and change! Click here to […]

Animal Tracking Expedition: Weekly Wonder Series

Season 1, Episode 7 of the Weekly Wonder series. Animals are everywhere! Join Logan to learn how to find evidence of the animals around us […]

Animal Tracking Group Discussion: Weekly Wonder Series

Season 1, Episode 8 of the Weekly Wonder Series. This week, we continue to explore animal tracks and learn how to collaborate with others to […]

Zoom In Challenge: Weekly Wonder Series

Season 1, Episode 9 of the Weekly Wonder Series. Join us as we investigate perspective, and see how our experience of something can be radically […]

Question Quest: Weekly Wonder Series

Season 2, Episode 1 of the Weekly Wonder Series. Join Tyler on a Question Quest and practice asking questions to sharpen your curiosity. Click here […]

Attention Map: Weekly Wonder Series

Season 2, Episode 2 of the Weekly Wonder Series. This week, we practice a bit of mindfulness and use Attention Maps to connect our thoughts […]

Animal Observation: Weekly Wonder Series

Season 2, Episode 3 of the Weekly Wonder Series. This week, we revisit the Level Up Challenge and practice being wildlife biologists by making observations […]

Signs of Spring: Weekly Wonder Series

Season 2, Episode 4 of the Weekly Wonder Series. Spring is maaaaaad springing. Get outside with a friend, record a sign of spring, then share! […]

Patterns: Weekly Wonder Series

Season 2, Episode 5 of the Weekly Wonder Series. In science, one of our most powerful tools for explaining and predicting phenomena is the recognition […]

Making Models: Weekly Wonder Series

Season 2, Episode 6 of the Weekly Wonder Series. In science, math, and engineering, models are a way of taking big, complex concepts and portraying […]

UpCycling Plastic Bags – Plastic Bag Mat Activity Guide

This activity provides instructions on how to make a small rug out of plastic bags. See the UpCycling video to watch how to make a […]

UpCycling Plastic Bags – Making Plarn Instructional Video

Video that shows you how to make a small rug out of plastic bags. There is an instructional guide that pairs with this video.

Learn How to Build a Harmonica

Build a Harmonica Appalachian music had roots from all over the world! Instruments from all over the globe found their way to the Smoky Mountains […]

Learn How to Make a Banjo

Build a Banjo String instruments are played in music we hear from across the world, even today. All string instruments, including the banjo, produce sound […]

MEET

RANGER RHONDA

Education Park Ranger

Ranger Rhonda is a Supervisory Park Ranger in the Resource Education division. She is also a Navy Veteran and a former homeschool mom. Her motto is, “Life adventures come in many forms, and sometimes in unexpected ways. Welcome them, appreciate them, but most of all, enjoy them!”

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SUPPORT THE SMOKIES

Friends of the Smokies assists the National Park Service in its mission to preserve and protect Great Smoky Mountains National Park by raising funds and public awareness, and providing volunteers for needed projects. Your donation helps support educational programs like SmokiEEEs as well as projects that preserve and protect our beloved park.

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WHAT IS GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS INSTITUTE AT TREMONT?

While celebrating over 50 years of connecting people to nature, Tremont brings you unique educational experiences from our home in Walker Valley. Discovering the wonders of nature begins with observing the world around you- whether your home, schoolyard, or here in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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BY THE NUMBERS:

A TALLY OF SPECIES IN THE SMOKIES

Did you know there are 60,000-80,000 different species living in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Discover Life in America (DLiA) is working to identify and record every single kind of plant, insect, fungus, and other lifeform found in the park. This information teaches us how the park’s ecosystem works and how change is impacting the Smokies. DLiA shares their findings with the public and with scientists who come to the park from all around the world.

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VISIT

SMOKIES LIVE

Check out the collaborative virtual magazine for Smokies lovers brought to you by Smokies Life and Great Smoky Mountains Association.

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