Booker T. Washington For Educators
  • Children engaged in outdoor activity, playing with water and toys.
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    Booker T. Washington 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  

      • Park ranger teaching two young girls archery outdoors.

      Field Trips 

      • Group of children with two adults in a gym, posing around a display table.

      School Outreach 

      • Group of children and adults hiking in a forest trail on a sunny day.

      Self-guided/Teacher-led 

      • Exhibit panels about Booker T. Washington in a museum setting.

      Virtual Connections

    Booker T. Washington Programs

    • Survive and Thrive

      Discover how animals and plants adapt to Tennessee’s diverse ecosystems. Through interactive games and real-world examples, students test their own “survival skills” and explore the delicate balance between species and their environments. 

      Meets: 3.LS4.3, 3.LS4.4

      Location: Park or School
      Length: 45 minutes
      Capacity: 10 participants minimum
      Cost: $0/student

    • Tennessee State Symbols

      Celebrate Tennessee’s natural and cultural identity! Students investigate the stories behind our state tree, flower, bird, and more while creating connections between these symbols and local conservation. 

      Meets: 1.LS3.1, 2.LS4.1, 3.ESS2.1

      Location: Park or School
      Length: 45 minutes
      Cost: $0/student
      Limit: Case by case

    • Mystery of the Tennessee River

      Uncover the secrets beneath the surface! Students explore historical human impacts on the Tennessee River through an interactive story lesson. 

      Meets: 4.ESS2.2, 5.ESS3.1

      Location: Park or School
      Length: 45 minutes
      Capacity: 12 participants minimum
      Cost: $0/student

    • Testing the Waters

      Become a water scientist for the day! Students collect and test water samples for pH, turbidity, and oxygen levels to learn what healthy water looks like and how humans impact aquatic ecosystems. 

      Meets: 5.ESS3.1, MS-ESS3-3

      Location: Park only
      Length: 45 minutes
      Cost: $0/student
      Limit: Case by case 
       

    • Bird Banding Basics

      Learn how ornithologists study wild birds up close! Using demonstration bands and data sheets, students explore the scientific process of banding, what it teaches us about migration, and why monitoring bird populations matters. 

      Meets: 3.LS3.2, MS-LS2-2

      Location: Park only
      Length: 45 minutes
      Cost: $0/student
      Limit: Case by case

    • Bricks and Books

      Step back in time to explore the park’s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) history and the legacy of Booker T. Washington. Students connect history, architecture, and conservation through an interpretive hike and hands-on building activity. 

      Meets: 3.ESS2.1, 4.ESS3.1, 5.3 (TN Social Studies)

      Location: Park only
      Length: 45 minutes
      Cost: $0/student
      Limit: Case by case 

       

    • Birds of Prey

      Meet the park’s raptor ambassadors up close! Students observe hawks and owls while learning about flight adaptations, predator-prey relationships, and the importance of wildlife rehabilitation. 

      Meets: 2.LS4.1, 3.LS4.3, MS-LS2-2

      Location: Park or School
      Length: 45 minutes
      Cost: $0/student
      Limit: Case by case

    • Turtles, Terrapins, and Tortoises — Oh My!

      Compare shells, habitats, and behaviors of Tennessee’s shelled reptiles. Students meet our ambassador box turtles and examine real biofacts and learn about conservation challenges facing these slow-moving survivors. 

      Meets: 2.LS4.1, 3.LS3.2, MS-LS2-4

      Location: Park or School
      Length: 45 minutes
      Cost: $0/student
      Limit: Case by case 
       

    • Clouds and Climate

      Investigate the science of weather and long-term climate trends. Students study clouds, air pressure, and temperature patterns to understand how global and local systems interact to shape Tennessee’s climate. 

      Meets: HS-ESS2-4, HS-ESS3-5

      Location: Park or School
      Length: 45 minutes
      Cost: $0/student
      Limit: Case by case

    • Pollinator Pursuit

      Test an ecosystem's balance by introducing a new species and competing for limited resources in this pollination program! 

      Meets: 4.LS2.3

      Location: Park or School
      Length: 45 minutes
      Cost: $0/student
      Limit: 25 students

    • Park ranger speaking outdoors under a tent by a lake.

    What Do Booker T. Washington Educator Programs Offer?

    Booker T. Washington State Park offers field trips and school outreach programs on topics such as: 

    • Regional, State, and National History
    • Animal Adaptations & Keystone Species
    • Brick Making
    • Park Career Options 

    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:   

    • 1.

      Choose the park.

      Explore our parks to find the park that has the right location and program available for your needs. You can request more than one park and more than one program.

    • 2.

      Identify the type of program(s) of interest.

      You are not limited to just one program. When completing the application, provide us the list of specific programs you are interested in. 

    • 3.

      Complete the form.

      Fill out our program request form and submit. Once submitted, allow 10 days for processing.

    Request a Program

    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.  

    Download PDF

    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:   

    1. Bus invoice
    2. Park invoice
    3. Photos
    4. Number of students new to any Tennessee State Park
    5. Student and teacher feedback
    Apply for Reimbursement

    Accessibility: We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including those with disabilities, to engage fully. 

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