Located in the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an International Biosphere Reserve, many of Sevierville’s attractions offer curriculum compliant programs and opportunities to experience classroom concepts in a real-world environment.
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 led and teacher led curriculum-based programs are also available that focus on science, history, and culture. Find teacher resources here https://www.nps.gov/grsm/forteachers/index.htm
Looking to build a love for learning? At Dig’N Zone, Sevierville’s newest theme park attraction, kids of all ages can operate real construction equipment in a safe environment. Dig’N Zone also has a performance space and a staff of seasoned educators who tie the functions of certain construction equipment into school approved curriculum.
Learn about wildlife from exotic environments 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.
Spend some time with beloved barnyard animals at Skyland Ranch, another great attraction in town that has educational programs, including a petting zoo and Safari Hayride. Additionally, Skyland has a performance space and pre-purchase food options available for groups.
Then book a visit to XPERIA: Ocean Journey, a completely digital, immersive undersea experience that brings guests face to face with fascinating creatures in an educational and interactive walk-through attraction.
How about history?
Sevierville’s Tennessee Museum of Aviation offers another unique opportunity to view flyable, authentic warbird aircraft up close (and maybe 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. Get youth field trip information here https://www.tnairmuseum.com/youth-field-trips/
Take a tour with the “purveyors of all things good” at the historic Old Mill Square. The over 200-year-old functioning gristmill has been everything from the area’s first electric provider to housing troops during the Civil War, and even the community mill for goods like flour and cornmeal, which are still sold and used in several items at the restaurants, creamery, candy shop, and distillery on the square.
The working orchards at the Apple Barn & Cider Millprovide insight into Sevierville’s rich agrarian past. Discover the farm’s local history dating back to 1910 and learn how the apples grown on the 65-acre farm are used in delicious foods and products sold at the restaurants and shops.
Other ideas:
Ripley’s Aquarium, of the Smokies, Titanic Museum Attraction, Smoky Mountain Knife Works Relic Room, Historic Downtown Sevierville Walking Tour
What about performance venues?
Available venues range from 6,000+ seat stadiums to 500 seat theaters. The Sevierville Convention Center is also available and can easily accommodate large conferences and competitions (many conferences here have more than 5,000 attendees).
What else is there in Sevierville and the Smoky Mountains?
Check out Tanger Sevierville, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Wonderworks, Wilderness at the Smokies, NASCAR SpeedPark, Alcatraz East Crime Museum, and more!
For more information about bringing student groups to Sevierville and available curriculum programs, contact Director of Sales & Advertising Tony Funderburg at the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce (865) 453-6411 | tfunderburg@scoc.org
Photos courtesy of Visit Sevierville.
