Outreach Materials

Education and outreach are vital in our efforts to promote good stewardship, better understanding of the places we manage, and buy-in as to the values these resources hold for the American public. This is even more important in the understanding of cave and karst areas because they are generally underground and out of sight. These resources are quite often complex and cannot always be studied first-hand. The education of a park's staff including park management is a critical first step in promoting good stewardship. This should be followed by education and outreach to all visitors and potential visitors including school groups from kindergarten through college-aged students.

Junior Cave Scientist Program

The Junior Cave Scientist Activity Book engages young people in learning activities to help them discover cave and karst resources, and introduces wide-range of cave experiences. The Junior Cave Scientist Program is a fun-filled way to learn about the National Park System and become a steward of cave conservation.

Caves of the National Parks Poster

Caves are diverse, fascinating, and rich in resources and a valuable part of our geologic heritage. This classroom poster helps students learn about Caves of the National Parks and why caves are important. Download [PDF 2.4 MB].

Growing Speleothems

In this activity students will grow their own speleothems, learn about the process of mineral formation, and record observations at the end of each day.

Learning Activity: Growing Speleothems

Park Education Highlights
Some cave parks in the National Park Service have developed webpages with educators in mind. These pages can assist teachers in planning a field trip and some provide curriculum material. Visit Park Education Highlights for resources from across the NPS.

Webinars and Presentations

On-line presentations related to the topics of caves and karst are now available from a number of sources. This webpage lists some recommended Webinars and Presentations.

Karst Topography Paper Model

In this activity, students will construct a 3-D paper model that shows how water moves through karst and cave systems. Peering into the model's cave opening reveals a miniature diorama with many cave features.

Learning Activity: Karst Topography Paper Model

CavesLIVE—A Distance Learning Adventure

Join scientists and CavesLIVE for an exploration of the world beneath our feet, and find out how we are connected to these amazing underground resources.
Webcast information: https://caveslive.org/

Video—Bats: Tiny Creatures, Big Challenges

Although bats are small mammals, they face some large challenges. Learn more about what the National Park Service is doing to preserve bat populations in national parks.
Watch now >

Making a Cave

After making clay models of caves students will learn about weathering processes and be able to conceptualize how water creates caves and cave formations.

Learning Activity: Making a Cave

Children's Books

Love reading? Here are some of our favorite books about caves and cave science for young readers. Use this list to find your cave adventure. See Children's Books on caves and karst.

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