Bicentennial Capitol Mall For Educators
Notification Alert
Ongoing Improvements at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
Visitors may experience temporary closures and limited access at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park due to ongoing capital improvement projects. Work will include infrastructure and facility upgrades to enhance the park for future visitors. Some areas of the park may be closed at times, and nearby parking or road access may be affected.
Please check our website and social media pages for updates. We appreciate your patience and understanding during these renovations.
Bicentennial Capitol Mall Educator Programs
Want a fun way to get your students excited about learning? Why not learn with a Park Ranger?
Tennessee State Parks offer accessible, discovery-based educational experiences aligned with Tennessee’s academic standards. Choose a program for your class, plan your day at a park, and request an experience today.
Our Programs
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Field Trips
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School Outreach
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Self-guided/Teacher-led
Bicentennial Capitol Mall Programs
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Guided Park Tour
Join us for a tour of Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park to learn more about our monuments and memorials and how Tennesseans helped shape the world around us. This program can be tailored to fit your group's timeline for the day. We cover topics from the founding of Tennessee to WWII, the natural resources found in the state, and our musical heritage. This program does not align with an academic standard.
Distance: 1.0 mile
Terrain: Path is a flat, paved surface
Location: Park only
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 60 minutes
Capacity: 50 students
Cost: $0/student -
Park Scavenger Hunt
Our park scavenger hunt encourages students to explore Tennessee history and reflect on their own experiences in our state. From the Tennessee flag to our carillon bell system, students will work their way across the park, discovering what makes Tennessee special.
This program is available as a teacher-led or Ranger-led experience. This program does not align with an academic standard.
Location: Park only
Grade Level: Elementary Grades
Length: 45 minutes
Capacity: 50 students
Cost: $0/student -
Tennessee Animals
What makes animals unique? Join us to learn about the pelts of our native animals and how they use their traits to survive in the wild. This is a group matching game that allows students to practice their observation skills.
Meets: 2.LS1.2
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: Second Grade
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 30 students
Cost: $0/student -
Watershed Effects
Learn about Tennessee’s waterways with our EnviroScape watershed model. This tool demonstrates non-point water pollution through a bustling community. Students will learn about human impacts on our watershed and how humans can reduce negative impacts on our shared environment.
Meets: 2.ESS2.3, 2.ETS1.1
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: Second Grade
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 30 students
Cost: $0/student -
Meet a Ranger
Who are Rangers? What do they do? Find out! It takes skill, knowledge, experience, and education to be a Park Ranger. Join us today to explore a day in the life of a Tennessee State Park Ranger!
Location: Park or school
Grade Level: All grade levels
Length: 30 minutes
Capacity: 150 students
Cost: $0/student
How to Request a Program
Program requests use the same form whether you are requesting funding support or not. Once you have submitted the form, allow 10 days for processing. Request educational program experiences at least four to six weeks in advance of the desired time frame for the program.
To complete the form:
Funding Assistance
Field trip funding may be available to remove barriers to participation.
The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy (501-C3) assists schools in covering the costs of scheduled programs at a Tennessee State Park. Funds can cover bus transportation costs and park program fees. Partial funds may be awarded. Awards are given after the field trip is completed.
When applying for a program, select “yes” on the application form if you are interested in receiving funding support.
What’s Next?
Submitting the form begins the scheduling and funding process.
The request will be in Pending status until confirmed. Allow 10 days for processing. A park staff member will email confirmation of the program and notify you of any park-related fees.
If you requested funding, the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy Director will email the decision to award or deny funding. Funding is processed after the program as a reimbursement. Partial funds may be awarded. In this case, the school will be responsible for any costs above the amount written in the award email.
Submitting for Funding Reimbursement
To receive reimbursement, you must provide the following documentation:
- Bus invoice
- Park invoice
- Photos
- Number of students new to any Tennessee State Park
- Student and teacher feedback