EXPLORE: PLANTS
FOR THE LOVE OF LICHENS
Part Algae, Part Fungus – Completely Fascinating.
Ideal for Upper Elementary – High School. We bet you’ll start to love lichens if you don’t already as you learn about their unusual life history through videos and an activity to monitor lichens in your neighborhood.
LOVIN THE LICHENS
Take a deeper look at the organisms ‘hidden in plain sight’…lichens! Explore the world lichens throughout the southern Appalachian Mountains area, both on and off the park with Ranger Rhonda, park partners, and with Ranger Rhonda’s trusty friend Kona. Learn how to identify different lichen growth forms, how lichen are used to indicate air quality, and how to conduct a lichen inventory in your own backyard…complete with a blooper clip after the credits!
Lichen Lesson Activity
FOR THE LOVE OF LICHENS
Part Algae, Part Fungus – Completely Fascinating.
Ideal for Upper Elementary – High School. We bet you’ll start to love lichens if you don’t already as you learn about their unusual life history through videos and an activity to monitor lichens in your neighborhood.
Lichen Lesson Activity
FLOWER SCAVENGER HUNT
Stopping to Smell the Roses…
For young students and the young at heart. Use this hunt to take a closer look at the flora in your area. Students look for colors, number of petals, etc. to see what you can discover together.
Invasion of the Adelgid
How a Tiny Insect Kills a Huge Tree.
Ideal for Grades 3 and up. Just how does an almost microscopic insect kill some of the largest trees in the Smokies? Watch a fun video and do an activity that shows you how, all you need is a straw, a pin and a cup of water.
The Xylem Isn’t Flowing (Grades 5-8) Activity
The Eastern Hemlock
A Tale of Survival
The majestic Eastern Hemlock tree is facing a mighty, but small, adversary. Explore with Ranger Rhonda to discover first-hand how the Eastern Hemlock is struggling for survival when it encounters the non-native Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.
Photosynthesis
Scientific processes through song!
Learn how photosynthesis works while singing along to this music video created by students at Tremont Institute.
SMOKIES LIVE
Check out the collaborative virtual magazine for Smokies lovers brought to you by Smokies Life and Great Smoky Mountains Association.
