ESC 4260 - Outreach in Science and Education

(2) Credit Hours

Simultaneously learn how to organize public outreach and education events as well as get firsthand experience in organizing and running a nonprofit educational event centered on education, biology, environmental science, ecology, conservation, land management and more. The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), which began in 1951, is the oldest and largest public outreach event of its kind in the US. Each year more than 200 educational programs are created and more than 100 leaders are organized to educate approximately 1000 people over four days in what has been called “natures greatest classroom,” the GSMNP. This class will not be based on exercises and examples, but actually building, working for, and attending the event. The course will begin with an overview of the Pilgrimage and we will get right to work assembling the Program and advertising its launch by mid-February, advertising and opening registration in March, and then all students will be required to attend and assist with the event during a week in April (although we will make a schedule so students are not working the entire week, have time to attend programs of interest, and take some personal time). Lodging in Gatlinburg, TN as well as three meals a day during the event will be provided for students in this class, and we can schedule time off for exams that need to be taken and for you to attend some of the event! Some of you will also need to attend the Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting, which is usually mid-March. Those of you who do this will not be required to work as much during the actual event in April and will serve more as team leaders during the actual event. Spring semesters. Junior standing. May be registered as ESC 4260, BIOL 4260, or GEOL 4260.