Exploring the History and Nature of the Great Smoky Mountains

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This engaging educational video explores the history, geography, and biodiversity of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hosted by Justin, the video takes students on a virtual tour of America's most visited national park, explaining its location along the Tennessee-North Carolina border and its geological connection to the Appalachian Mountains. It covers the park's establishment in 1940, detailing the unique grassroots fundraising efforts involving school children that helped make the park a reality. The content highlights the park's incredible biodiversity, including its reputation as the "Salamander Capital of the World," its population of black bears, and the rare phenomenon of synchronous fireflies. It also delves into the human history of the region, featuring preserved log cabins, churches, and the fascinating story of the Walker Sisters, who refused to leave their family farm when the park was created and lived out their days within its borders. For educators, this video serves as a versatile tool for teaching social studies, geography, and environmental science. It illustrates key concepts such as conservation, eminent domain (through the Walker Sisters' story), ecosystems, and civic engagement. The video helps students understand the value of national parks as public resources protected for future generations and connects natural history with cultural heritage.