Christenberry Third Graders Explore Nature with Fulton High School Student Leaders

KNOXVILLE, TN. — A group of third-graders recently got a glimpse of their futures as community leaders and stewards for the environment, thanks to 12 ambitious students from Fulton High School.

On Wednesday, March 29, Fulton students hosted “Exploring with the Falcons” at Christenberry Elementary. This after-school event was developed and executed by the high schoolers as part of the Environmental and Community Leaders Fellowship (ECLF), a two-year program with Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. ECLF participants developed the concept, determined the structure of the event, raised funds to cover activity costs, and created promotional materials and prizes for the elementary students.

Throughout the planning process, they worked with Tremont’s naturalists, education staff, development department, and marketing department.

“One of the goals of ECLF is to help students see themselves as a part of their community using nature as the lens,” said Annie Roth, manager of Tremont’s teacher network and lead coordinator for ECLF. “In the planning of this event, we were intentional about introducing Fulton students to a variety of ways to connect with nature – not only through science but also art and community advocacy. We want them to realize they can use their skills and passions in whatever context they choose.”

One student, Lake Marler, got to put her love for drawing to use by designing illustrated “passports” and stickers for the elementary schoolers. She and her peers sat down with Tremont’s marketing director to explore color theory, think about the scale and proportions of the design, and ensure brand continuity across materials. Another group worked with Tremont’s development director to outline a budget for the event, develop a pitch, identify local businesses to pursue and make an ask for support, raising $600 in in-kind and monetary donations from Three Rivers Market and Outdoor Gear Revival.

During the event, third graders rotated between four stations, earning stamps on their passports for each activity. At the sky station, they learned about bats and played a version of tag that used echolocation principles. At the water station, they used watercolor paint to depict native aquatic creatures found in the Smokies. They also read books at the lodge station and created creature masks in the land station.

“The Fulton students designed the whole event and executed their plan flawlessly,” Roth adds. “It’s a true testament to the confidence they’ve developed in their leadership and outdoor skills in the last year or two.”

Exploring with the Smokies was a culmination of the knowledge and skills ECLF participants have developed over the year. Through the program, fellows work with Tremont staff at least once per month during the school year, and in the summer they are offered paid opportunities to intern with Tremont and the National Park Service. During their fellowship, students learn to notice and appreciate nature in everyday spaces, whether in an urban environment or a national park. They meet professionals in environmental and outdoor careers, and build leadership skills that they can take back to their Knoxville community. ECLF students recently visited Tremont for a five-day immersive experience in the Smokies.

Fellows who coordinated and hosted the event include Azlan Gaertner, Cameron Anthony, Henry Lubke, José Lucas, Lake Marler, Katie Morales Perez, Adrian Quintana, Elijah Roach, Gabby Sanchez, Jocelyn Santiago, Jayden Serrano and Miranda Spurlock.

Many ECLF participants are Christenberry alumni. Their hope is that these third graders will be excited to be a part of the Tremont program when they reach high school.To learn more about Tremont and support their work, visit www.gsmit.org.