About Great smoky mountains institute at tremont
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont: Delivering Experiential Learning for a Better Future
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (GSMIT) is a non-profit organization that provides experiential learning opportunities for youth, educators, and adults. Located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GSMIT offers programs that promote self-discovery, critical thinking, and effective teaching and leadership. The institute believes that education creates lasting positive change for people and our planet.
GSMIT was founded in 1969 as an environmental education center by Dr. David Chapman, a professor of biology at Maryville College. Since then, it has grown into one of the leading organizations in the field of environmental education. GSMIT's mission is to connect people with nature through hands-on learning experiences that inspire curiosity and foster stewardship.
The institute offers a wide range of programs for different age groups and interests. For youth, there are summer camps, school programs, and family camps that provide opportunities to explore nature through hiking, camping, wildlife observation, stream ecology studies and more. These programs are designed to help young people develop an appreciation for nature while also building important life skills such as teamwork and leadership.
For educators looking to enhance their teaching skills or incorporate environmental education into their curriculum there are professional development workshops offered throughout the year on topics such as inquiry-based learning strategies or how to use technology in outdoor classrooms.
Adults can participate in workshops on birding or photography or attend naturalist weekends where they can learn about local flora/fauna from experts while enjoying hikes through beautiful mountain trails.
One unique program offered by GSMIT is called "Smokies Schoolyard". This program brings students from nearby schools into the park where they work alongside park rangers on conservation projects such as trail maintenance or invasive species removals while also learning about science concepts related to these projects.
GSMIT's campus includes dormitories with bunk beds (for overnight stays), classrooms equipped with modern technology (such as interactive whiteboards), dining hall serving locally sourced food prepared by trained chefs who specialize in healthy meals made from scratch using fresh ingredients whenever possible; all surrounded by beautiful mountain views!
In addition to its educational programming GSMIT also conducts research on various aspects of ecology within Great Smoky Mountains National Park including monitoring air quality/water quality/forest health etc., which helps inform park management decisions regarding resource protection/preservation efforts within this UNESCO World Heritage Site!
Overall Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont delivers experiential learning opportunities that inspire curiosity about our natural world while fostering stewardship values among participants!
gsmit.org
