The park offers teachers the following educational opportunities for their students:

Parks As Classrooms is a day-use educational program which provides outdoor learning experiences in the national park for students in grades K-8. This program allows teachers in communities surrounding the park to bring their students to the park for a hands-on learning experience of curriculum-based, interdisciplinary lessons that weave together Great Smoky Mountain themes with Tennessee and North Carolina curriculum objectives. 

Parks As Classrooms features park rangers as the subject experts and primary instructors with assistance from the classroom teachers. In addition to the on-site learning experience, the units include a pre-visit materials package and post-site lesson plans for use in the classroom.

Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob is one of 17 National Park Service research learning centers in the United States. The purpose of the center is to increase the amount of scientific research in the national park and make it accessible to the public. Middle school, high school, and college students, along with their teachers, work with scientists and park staff on projects ranging form salamander population monitoring to air quality research. Students are also recruited to work as research assistants on extended scientific projects, especially during the summer field season.

The center encourages scientific research and education not only at the Smokies, but at other park service areas including the Blue Ridge Parkway, Big South Fork, and Obed River.

To learn more about opportunities at Purchase Knob call (828) 926-6251 or visit the education website for the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center.

Important Message for School Teachers If you are planning a field trip in the park, please contact the Education Office at (865) 436-1713 for important safety information. Advance planning is extremely important to assure a safe and enjoyable trip for your students.