Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob

Visit the Learning Center at Lake Junaluska and participate in a scientific research program that focuses on the scientific method, air quality, or soil health.

Preview your trip on the web: Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob

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• Lesson plan: Elementary ecosystems Students are introduced to the basics of species interdependency within an ecosystem. They perform a simple simulation to see how one species can affect many others.
• American Field Guide A collection of online videos that explore many aspects of America's wilderness from animals to earth and space to public policy.
• Lesson plan: Ecosystem Services - Water Purification This lesson teaches students the importance of healthy ecosystems by investigating the example of natural water purification. Students will learn how ecosystems remove pollution from the water and how much it costs humans to do this artificially once ecosystems are no longer healthy.

Related pages

• Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve: Called the "pine barrens" by the settlers to the Sandhills, the Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve protects a remnant of the plant and animal communities of long ago.
• Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education: Students will learn the importance of North Carolina's wildlife resources at this environmental education facility.
• Latta Plantation Nature Center and Preserve: Environmental education programs at this nature center allow students to explore the wonders of nature all around them.

Related topics

• Learn more about Haywood County, North Carolina, air quality, animals, biology and life science, ecosystems, environmental science, nature centers, old growth forests, ozone, plants, science, scientific method, soil, spiders, and water quality.

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Located at 5000 feet on the North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center is part of a network of what will be 32 learning centers supporting research and education about research in our national parks. The Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center offers educational opportunities for 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes, as well as college and high school students. The educational program offered at Purchase Knob involves students in real scientific research. Scientists have worked with park staff to develop ways students can collect meaningful data while still meeting teachers’ classroom needs. All programs are correlated with the National Science Education Standards and North Carolina curriculum standards of the targeted grade. The program utilizes park rangers as the subject experts and primary instructors. The park becomes an outdoor “classroom”. In addition to the field experience, all units contain a pre-visit packet with logistical information and pre- and post-site lessons for use in the classroom.

Open by appointment only, mid-March through November. Call (828) 926-6251 or send email to susan_sachs@nps.gov for more information.

See The Southern Appalachian Mountains - How they Got Where They Are by Kempton H. Roll.