Friends of the Smokies has received a grant for $102,500 from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. The funds will continue to support the Seeking Paths in Nature (SPiN) program and enable the program’s expansion into schools in seven Western North Carolina counties.
The Seeking Paths in Nature program develops curricula for middle and high school students that integrates Cherokee culture and history into existing Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) education programs. Lessons and activities are designed through the collaboration and coordination of Cherokee Central Schools teachers, members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, and National Park Service staff.
Program developers will work closely with teachers to ensure the curriculum meets state and national standards, STEM requirements, and incorporates Cherokee culture. The grant also funds opportunities to conduct teacher and NPS staff professional development. This prepares educators to knowledgably and accurately integrate Cherokee culture and GSMNP into curriculum.
Examples of field trips and lessons include “Cherokee Folklore on the Oconaluftee River Trail,” “Using Archaeology to Bring History to Life,” and Cherokee-language class “Animals of the Smokies.” Many of the lessons, background information, and program supplies are also available both electronically and as part of a portable classroom kit, furthering the reach of the SPiN program.
“Great Smoky Mountains National Park is excited to continue the SPiN program into its third year,” says Acting Education Branch Chief Joy Absher. “Students will be able to expand their knowledge through hands-on activities, while making important connections between park resources and Cherokee culture. We hope to inspire some of our future park stewards to become more involved in preserving our national parks.”
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