Schoolyard Exploration, Smokies Style

Join our biodiversity-themed virtual teacher workshop, co-organized by Discover Life in America and Great Smoky Mountains National Park Education Park Rangers. Participants will learn about activities that we use in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and how they can be adapted at home or around a schoolyard. This virtual workshop is free and open to teachers and educators for all grade levels in public, private, and home-school education.

Back by popular demand: This is a repeat of our September 29th and October 22nd virtual teacher workshops by the same name.

UPDATE: Apologies if you had trouble registering! The registration link below has been updated. As of Oct 28th at 2:45 PM, slots should be available, however the are expected to fill up fast.

What to expect from the workshop

This 1.5-hour workshop will include an introduction to resources and a hands-on exploration that can be easily replicated at any schoolyard or at home. We will model the use of free virtual platforms that can enhance classroom and at-home learning. We will explore the world of the terrestrial macroinvertebrate, learn how to navigate the iNatualist app, and see how you and your students can participate in the Species SnapIt & MapIt project, which contributes to a public resource called Atlas of the Smokies.

Timing and location

The virtual workshop will take place over Zoom on Tuesday, November 10th, 2020 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. ET

Who can participate

The workshop is open to any teacher or educator, for any grade level in public, private, home-school education, informal education, etc. Attendance will be limited, so please register early.

How to register

This workshop is free but you must fill out the registration form to participate. Spots are limited, so please register early. We will send out a Zoom meeting link with your registration confirmation and additional information as the workshop approaches.

Before the workshop

Get to know iNaturalist! Please download and set up the free iNaturalist app to your mobile device before the workshop. We’ll use it during the workshop, and it is a generally useful app.

1. Download and install iNaturalist: Google Play store or Apple App store or just search for iNaturalist
2. Follow the prompts to create an account and sign into the app
3. Optional: Play around with the app. Explore and add an observation of an organism in your yard.

Watch this video to get a primer on using the iNaturalist app:

Resources

The following are materials that will either be used directly during the workshop or that participants may find helpful later on.

Terrestrial macroinvertebrates:

• Terrestrial Invertebrate Study – detailed instructions and resources
• Identification guide for terrestrial macroinvertebrates (PDF)
• Inventory datasheet (PDF)
• Data collection worksheet – elementary (DOCX)
• Parks as Classrooms: Terrestrial Macro-invertebrates (YouTube video)
• Parks as Classrooms: Observation Skills – High School level (YouTube video)
• Parks as Classrooms: Observation Skills – Elementary School level (YouTube video)

Species SnapIt & MapIt project:

• Species SnapIt & MapIt community science project
• Atlas of the Smokies (free NPS web tool)
• iNaturalist project for Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Other helpful resources:

• iScience – DLiA’s biodiversity program for middle schools
• Education at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• SmokiEEEs at Home
• Tremont Institute‘s programs for educators
• Hands on the Land Terrestrial Invertebrate Study
• Seek app by iNaturalist

Questions

Ask Haley (haley@dlia.org)