NEWS
NPF Invites Schools Across The Nation To Join Electronic Field Trip To Great Smokies
Published on 10/21/2009
Nov. 3rd Field Trip Will Simultaneously Connect Millions of American Youth with National Park
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Park Foundation is inviting schools across the country to explore the biodiversity of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in an Electronic Field Trip (EFT) on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009. The program, which includes interactive lesson plans and games leading up to the EFT, is free for participating schools and is targeted to elementary and middle school youth.
“All too often, people think that computers and technology are what’s keeping America’s youth from being outside,” said Neil Mulholland, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “But we believe that technology can actually be used as a bridge to help inspire and connect the nation’s youth to their parks in a very meaningful way.”
More than 17,000 species of plants and animals live in the Great Smoky Mountains. The upcoming EFT will explore the area’s rich biodiversity to help students better understand ecosystems and how the different plant and animal life depend on each other.
To date, schools in more than 40 states representing more than 3 million students have already signed up to participate in the program. Educators wishing to sign up to participate can visit: www.smokymountainseft.org
Two live broadcasts on November 3rd will give students in classrooms across the country the chance to explore the park and ask questions of park rangers via email and by phone.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Electronic Field Trip is also sponsored by the National Park Service, Apple, and the UPS Foundation.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION The National Park Foundation is an independent charitable organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to strengthen the connection between the American people and their 391 national parks. As the official national non-profit partner of America’s National Parks, the Foundation raises private funds, makes strategic grants, creates innovative partnerships and increases public awareness about the need and opportunity for park philanthropy. In its 2008 fiscal year, the National Park Foundation distributed grants and program support of $27.3M. For more information, visit: www.nationalparks.org
Contact Information
Mark Shields, National Park Foundation
(202)354-6480, mshields@nationalparks.org
