By Dr. Curtis Varnell
After an absence of a couple of years due to covid, students are again returning to the outdoors and field trips to experience real world science, history, and geography. Guy Fenter Science specialists, Amber Cobb, Curtis Varnell, along with Dr. Bret Stone of ATU have been busy assisting teachers in arranging and conducting the workshops.
One of the favorite places for area kids is the trip to Bear Gap on Magazine Mountain. Not one of the more frequented trails, it offers the opportunity for kids to observe fault lines, explore a small cave, and to look at some unusual rock formations. In addition, the students learn about the early settlers and the development of the mountain as a tourist attraction. As an added bonus, students from Lavaca were able to watch huge aircraft from Jackson air force base practice parachute drops on the narrow west end of the mountain.
Park interpreter Don Simons often does his mountain man act, complete with muzzle-loading rifle demonstration. Most groups end the day at the amphitheater to look off the cliffs, take group pictures, and to take in the panoramic view from 2,800 foot. Paris 8th grade spends two days on the mountain top exploring science, history, math, literacy, and the arts using a lesson developed by retired educator June Gilbreath.
In addition, students from Magazine and Hackett have visited Petit Jean Mountain where they toured the various trails and discovered the Native American art in Rock House cave. Students from Magazine, Paris, Hackett and Waldron have visited the Fort Smith National Park. While there, they toured the first fort, the trail of tears landing, Judge Parker Court, rode the trolley, and tried out the ice cream in the old museum drug store.
Nine area school districts and over 450 students traveled to the Arkansas Air and Space museum in Greenland. Visiting in four hangers, they were able to learn about the history of aviation while touring actual air and military equipment from the 1930’s to the present. What better way to learn history than to sit in the B-17 cockpit, walk through a MASH ambulance, or to sit in a tank.
The Janet Huckabee Nature Center works closely with area schools in providing students the opportunity to explore all facets of natural and environmental education. Every Fort Smith 5th grader spends a day at the center and other area schools bring student in daily. There they can experience everything from kayaking, hunting, fishing, trail hikes as well as learn the science behind nature.
Most area schools allow students in each grade to have one or more field-trip per year. These trips afford students the opportunity for real-world experiences and develops an appreciation of the world around us. For many students, it is the first opportunity to really see the beauty, learn the history, and to explore the Natural State.
Pictured: Rock House Cave- Hackett, Magazine
Bear Cave- Hacket but also Paris, Magazine, Lavaca, County Line, Scranton, Mulberry
Air museum- Alma, Fort Smith, Greenwood, Paris, Booneville, Hackett, Waldron, Mulberry, Clarksville
Chad Lowe- JHRVNC
Coal Miners- St. Josephs Paris
