Maybe it’s the joy of discovery as your students see textbook principles come to life. Perhaps it’s the fun they’re having without even knowing they’re learning. Either way, student groups love the hands-on learning opportunities available in Sevierville, Tennessee.
Located in the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an International Biosphere Reserve, many of Sevierville’s attractions offer curriculum compliant programs as well as performance venues. Combine that with the fact the resort town is close to a good deal of the nation’s students—within a day’s drive of over half the nation’s population—and it becomes an ideal destination for all types of student groups.
Where can students delve into science?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an international biosphere reserve, the center of diversity for lungless salamanders in the world, and an All-Taxa BioDiversity Inventory site. Scientists are seeking to inventory the 100,000 species believed to live in the park—and citizens can get involved, too! Ranger- and teacher-led curriculum-based programs are also available that focus on science, history, and culture.
Students could also get a lesson in biology at Rainforest Adventures, a zoo focused on conservation, preservation and education. Hour-long educational programs take place daily but can also be specially arranged for your group. Other ideas include exploring physics at Dollywood and Adventure Park Ziplines, digging into geology at Forbidden Caverns, and delving into biology at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
How about history?
Sevierville’s Tennessee Museum of Aviation offers a unique opportunity to view flyable, authentic warbird aircraft up close. Students may even see some fly! This 50,000 square foot hangar contains an often-rotated collection of planes, including two of the remaining twelve flyable P-47s from WWII. Also on display, an airworthy Douglas A1-H Skyraider, a replica of the Wright glider, and a relic from the U.S.S. Arizona.
Don’t forget to take in even more history by visiting the Titanic Museum Attraction and Smoky Mountain Knife Works Relic Room, and by taking the Historic Downtown Sevierville Walking Tour.
What about performance venues?
Available venues range from 6,000-plus-seat stadiums to 500-seat theaters. The Sevierville Convention Center is also available and can easily accommodate large conferences and competitions, with many conferences hosting more than 5,000 attendees.
What else is there in Sevierville and the Smoky Mountains?
Consider checking out Tanger Outlets Sevierville, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Wonderworks, Wilderness at the Smokies, NASCAR SpeedPark, Smokies Baseball—the AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, the working orchards at the Apple Barn & Cider Mill, and more!
For more information about bringing student groups to Sevierville and available curriculum programs, contact Tony Funderburg, Director of Sales & Advertising, Sevierville Chamber of Commerce at tfunderburg@scoc.org or 865.453.6411.
Content and photo courtesy of Visit Sevierville.
