Parks and Tourism in the Natural State: An Economic Driver
The activities on this site use Arkansas Parks to teach Arkansas history to students in grades 4 to 8 through fun and interactive projects.
The activities on this site use Arkansas Parks to teach Arkansas history to students in grades 4 to 8 through fun and interactive projects.
Also please check out Quick Links and Tech How-To Videos. They are there to provide resources and support for teachers!
Also please check out Quick Links and Tech How-To Videos. They are there to provide resources and support for teachers!
Overview
Overview
Arkansas, the natural state, has six geographically diverse regions which make for a wide variety of educational and experiential opportunities. Arkansas’ investment in its parks resulted in economic benefits to local communities through use by locals and visitors alike. The activities on this site introduce students to Arkansas’ parks in each region and their goals of historical and cultural preservation, conservation and understanding of valuable natural resources, education and a wide variety of experiences both indoors and out. These Arkansas Parks activities help you to teach history, economics, geography and even entrepreneurship through research and virtual engagement. Then hopefully, the park exploration will begin either individually or as a school excursion.
Arkansas, the natural state, has six geographically diverse regions which make for a wide variety of educational and experiential opportunities. Arkansas’ investment in its parks resulted in economic benefits to local communities through use by locals and visitors alike. The activities on this site introduce students to Arkansas’ parks in each region and their goals of historical and cultural preservation, conservation and understanding of valuable natural resources, education and a wide variety of experiences both indoors and out. These Arkansas Parks activities help you to teach history, economics, geography and even entrepreneurship through research and virtual engagement. Then hopefully, the park exploration will begin either individually or as a school excursion.
Arkansas Parks Timeline
Arkansas Parks Timeline
Use this timeline to introduce students to the history and development of selected Arkansas parks. Use Tiki Toki, the platform for the timeline, to have your students research additional parks and create timelines. You’ll find a video on how to do this on the Tech How-To Videos link at the top of the page. This Arkansas Parks One-Pager can be used to facilitate student research on parks as well as provide a creative way to share their research. (Example) Research links are provided in the Quick Links above. One-Pager templates are provided.
Use this timeline to introduce students to the history and development of selected Arkansas parks. Use Tiki Toki, the platform for the timeline, to have your students research additional parks and create timelines. You’ll find a video on how to do this on the Tech How-To Videos link at the top of the page. This Arkansas Parks One-Pager can be used to facilitate student research on parks as well as provide a creative way to share their research. (Example) Research links are provided in the Quick Links above. One-Pager templates are provided.
Google Earth: Arkansas Parks Project
Google Earth: Arkansas Parks Project
Arkansas Parks Brochures
Arkansas Parks Brochures
Students can use these brochures, created by our team, to learn about selected Arkansas parks while analyzing the goals of each park. The brochures serve as examples for your students to create their own. Tech How-To Videos show how to use Adobe Spark to unleash your students’ creativity. This goals analysis summary can be used for researching parks from the Timeline, Google Earth or the parks brochures. Be sure to have students use the parks’ websites to learn about events, programs and amenities.
Students can use these brochures, created by our team, to learn about selected Arkansas parks while analyzing the goals of each park. The brochures serve as examples for your students to create their own. Tech How-To Videos show how to use Adobe Spark to unleash your students’ creativity. This goals analysis summary can be used for researching parks from the Timeline, Google Earth or the parks brochures. Be sure to have students use the parks’ websites to learn about events, programs and amenities.
Arkansas Parks History Video
Arkansas Parks History Video
This video shows the founding of the Arkansas Parks system as a way to save landscapes, values, history and traditions. Original park construction by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration is shown along with the institution of the Conservation tax to fund facilities upgrades and ongoing maintenance. The second half covers many parks and varied learning opportunities through school field trips. By learning about park interpreters, students are introduced to new career possibilities.
This video shows the founding of the Arkansas Parks system as a way to save landscapes, values, history and traditions. Original park construction by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration is shown along with the institution of the Conservation tax to fund facilities upgrades and ongoing maintenance. The second half covers many parks and varied learning opportunities through school field trips. By learning about park interpreters, students are introduced to new career possibilities.
Economic Impact of Parks and Tourism in the Natural State
Economic Impact of Parks and Tourism in the Natural State
Arkansas Park Development: Creating a New Park Presentation & Activity
Arkansas Park Development: Creating a New Park Presentation & Activity
After this introduction of the purposes of Arkansas parks coupled with innovative ideas, students are challenged to create a new park that attracts Generation Z visitors. Directions are included in the presentation and in this lesson. Students create a poster (Example 1, Example 2 ) describing their proposal. A modified Lean Canvas (simplified business plan) summarizes their choices. This rubric helps the ‘parks commission’, students and educators assess their proposals.
After this introduction of the purposes of Arkansas parks coupled with innovative ideas, students are challenged to create a new park that attracts Generation Z visitors. Directions are included in the presentation and in this lesson. Students create a poster (Example 1, Example 2 ) describing their proposal. A modified Lean Canvas (simplified business plan) summarizes their choices. This rubric helps the ‘parks commission’, students and educators assess their proposals.
Natural Numbers: An Arkansas Numbers Book written by Michael Shoulders
Natural Numbers: An Arkansas Numbers Book written by Michael Shoulders
Mystery Park Activity
Mystery Park Activity
Quizizz – What did you learn?
Quizizz – What did you learn?
For more information on anything on the site, please contact Dr. Rita Littrell, Director of the Bessie B. Moore Center for Economic Education at the University of Arkansas at: rlittrell@walton.uark.edu
For more information on anything on the site, please contact Dr. Rita Littrell, Director of the Bessie B. Moore Center for Economic Education at the University of Arkansas at: rlittrell@walton.uark.edu