Explore Your STEAM-Powered Parks

Graphic designed by the National Park Service

Full STEAM ahead! We’re celebrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, collectively known as “STEAM.” Here are a few suggestions for you to explore these fields in national parks or at home.

Science

National Park Service scientists, academic researchers, and volunteers are conducting groundbreaking scientific research every day. Whether studying wildlife, connected conservation, processes for preserving historic structures, the research in national parks and beyond our boundaries through our programs and partners, continues to push the bounds of understanding our world.

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  JOIN IN

  Citizen Science

  Help with real scientific research! Citizen scientists are people just like you who volunteer to collect data for current research projects.

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  STEAM Kids Challenge

  Junior Explorers

  How many Junior Ranger patches can you earn while learning science? Explore caves, underwater, the night sky, and more!

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  SCIENCE IN ACTION

  Park Science Magazine

  Catch up on ongoing science research and topics in the National Park Service through our online magazine.

Technology

The history of the evolution of technology, and its complex and sometimes difficult effects—are preserved in many national parks. Visit the labs of innovative minds, including George Washington Carver and Thomas Edison, and other places were advances in technology were made. The National Park Service and our partners continue to look at ground-breaking technology to make it easier for people to experience their parks and natural and cultural resources across the country.

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  TRENDING TECH

  The NPS App

  Thanks to technology, there is an app for everything including national parks! Download the free app to guide you through your visit.

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  STEAM Kids Challenge

  #sciencedeskdigs

  Explore various items that can be found on a scientist's desk and learn how they are used in national parks.

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  TECHNOLOGY IN ACTION

  Preservation Technology Podcast

  This podcast series explores how the National Park Service uses old and new technology to preserve the past for the future.

Engineering

National parks are home to many of the nation’s most iconic engineering marvels like the Golden Gate Bridge, Gateway Arch, Casa Grande, and Going-to-the-Sun Road. With more than 300 million visitors a year, engineers are essential to designing infrastructure so everyone can experience national parks. We continue to push modern engineering in the upkeep of these special places in parks, but also in communities through partnerships, grants, collaborating on research, and more!

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  MEET OUR TEAM

  Engineers

  Meet some of the many National Park Service staff involved in supporting engineering and learn about their projects.

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  ENGINEERING IN ACTION

  The Great American Outdoors Act

  The law is promoting the improvement of infrastructure to increase opportunities for everyone to experience their national parks.

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  STEAM Kids Challenge

  Design Your Own Parkitecture

  If you created a national park, what would the architecture look like? Use your imagination to create your own unique PARK-itecture.

Arts

Art has been part of the history of national parks since the 1870s when Hudson River School painters captured majestic Western landscapes. Through their awe-inspiring works, a wider public came to see these special places in America for the first time. The works captured their imaginations, spurring them to preserve these lands for future generations. Today the tradition continues as parks are a place to practice the arts for expression, preserving heritage, capturing memories, and sharing the experience with others.

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  FIND YOUR MUSE

  Create Art from Parks

  Dancing, music, photography, drawing, poetry,.. Whatever your passion, find inspiration and even create art in national parks.

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  STEAM Kids Challenge

  STEAM at Fairsted

  How many of these art projects fused with other STEAM fields can you create?

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  ART IN ACTION

  National Fossil Day Art

  The annual contest encourages learning about prehistoric life through art and showcases incredible talent of artists of all ages.

Mathematics

Math is used daily in so many career fields throughout the National Park Service—budgeting, planning, maintenance, information technology... It is also at the heart of many large-scale projects throughout the national parks. For example, using geospatial imaging helps parks understand patterns in species population, make accurate maps of the lands, and develop models of the night sky and soundscapes throughout the year.

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  DO THE MATH

  Educators Portal

  Teachers and parents can find activities that incorporate math with park topics to use in the classroom, at home, or in parks.

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  STEAM Kids Challenge

  Predict Old Faithful

  Millions of people flock to Yellowstone National Park to watch this famous geyser erupt. Can you figure out its scheduled routine?

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  MATH IN ACTION

  Mapping Sound

  Math is part of the process for understanding soundscapes, which allows us to better preserve ecosystems and visitor experiences.