A Visit to the Grand Tetons
CAMP HUMPHREYS, KOREA – Humphreys West Elementary School first grade students recently virtually visited Grand Teton National Park through the National Park Service’s Distance Learning program.
Students learned about the habitat including the animals, plants, and weather often found in this National Park.
“I truly enjoy sharing my love of exploring with the students,” said HWES Art Teacher Jill Flummerfelt, who coordinated the virtual visit. “I think it is so important to bring as many unique, authentic, real-life experiences into the school as possible. Luckily, nowadays, we can virtually visit anywhere in the world. It’s such a joy to share our home country with the students.”
For the past few years, Ms. Flummerfelt has offered students a distance learning opportunity at a museum or national park in the United States. This year, she arranged an interactive video session with the educational staff at the Grand Tetons' Snow Desk. This unique program offers an in-depth look at the Grand Tetons ecosystem - from the diverse plant and animal species that thrive in the rugged mountain terrain to the impact of snowfall and extreme weather patterns. The park rangers lead young students through discussions about habitat types, animal tracking, winter adaptations, and even allowed the children to ask questions about the park's iconic wildlife such as bears, moose, and eagles. This virtual trip gave the children living abroad a meaningful chance to develop a connection with America.
After studying different habitats in the classroom and the virtual visit, Ms. Flummerfelt continued the experience in her Art class. Students were asked to draw animals and they were placed into the correct habitat model.
“I think it is wonderful whenever we can build a connection to America for these students,” said WES Principal Edgar Romero. “It’s wonderful to build a connection to all different cultures and locations around the world. But for these students, some of whom have not been to American before, it’s a chance for them to learn about – and actually see – parts of the vast tapestry that makes up our home country.”
