Virtual Learning

Two park rangers stand outside holding a skull. They are facing a computer tablet on a tripod.
Rangers show off a skull in a virtual program.

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Learn from Around the World!

Sequoia and Kings Canyon’s Rangers can come to your classroom virtually! Teachers from across the world can sign up for a free, curriculum-based virtual program for students. Programs engage students in a one-hour virtual program on a variety of park topics. All programs are free and designed with Common Core and Next Generation Science teaching standards.

Details

  • Distance education programs are primarily available in November and December.
  • Programs are up to 1 hour in length.
  • Videoconferencing format for programs include Zoom, Google Classroom through Hangouts, Microsoft Teams or any other web-based service you use for class.
  • To request a program, please decide on a program topic below, then fill out the form at the bottom of this page.
 

Available Programs

Note: The program offerings below are new for the 2024-2025 school year, and have changed from previous years.

The following programs have suggested grade levels to meet the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools. These standards may vary in your state.


  • Read with a Ranger
    • Invite a local National Park Ranger to read a storybook to your class. Afterwards, connect with the text through a ranger-led activity. Programs are approximately 30 minutes in length. Suggested Grade: Transitional Kindergarten to Kindergarten.
  • Bear Essentials
    • Introduces students to the American Black Bear including habitat, diet, lifecycle and how human activity can have a negative impact on a bear’s natural behavior. The program includes a Ranger Introduction, the reading of the book We Are Bears, a song activity, and a discussion about bears. Suggested Grade: 2nd Grade.
  • A Giant's Life – Sequoia Tree Life Cycles
    • Introduces students to the giant sequoias found at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Includes an introduction to the NPS, reading and song activities, and discussion on size and adaptations of giant sequoias. Suggested Grade: 2nd Grade.
  • Life in the Zone – Ecosystems & Elevation
    • This program introduces students to the concept of life zones within the Sierra Nevada through a virtual trip up into the mountains. Students explore how climate (temperature and precipitation) shapes a landscape and discover how plants and animals adapt to survive in each life zone. This lesson culminates in a hands-on group game. Suggested Grade: 4th Grade.
  • Meet Our National Parks
    • Introduces students to a uniquely American invention, namely, the national park. It explores what national parks protect by examining the elements found on the National Park Service (NPS) arrowhead emblem. Suggested Grade: 4th Grade.

 

Virtual Program Request Form

Thank you for your interest in virtual programs! Please fill out this form completely. If you have any questions, please e-mail us.

When asked for the Program Name or Subject Requested, please list your choices in preference order from the options above.

Note: This is a new online form that replaces the previous PDF submission forms.


NPS Form 10-1750 (Rev. 04/2021)
National Park Service

OMB Control No. 1024-0228
Expiration Date 11/31/2025

Discussion Points for Virtual / Distance Learning Program

Virtual and/or Distance Learning can vary depending on the technical capabilities of the park and the school. in order to find appropriate accommodations for your learning experience, here are some categories to be prepared to discuss with the park:

  1. Internet Access
  2. Phone Access (speaker phone or conference line)
  3. Mobile or digital video conferencing capabilities
  4. Firewall
  5. Hardware and Software Capabilities
  6. Classroom pre-work or assignments

Disclaimer:

A park representative will follow-up to confirm group details once this request has been received and reviewed.


NPS Form 10-1750 (Rev. 04/2021)
National Park Service

OMB Control No. 1024-0228
Expiration Date 11/31/2025

Notices

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: Public Law 114-289 National Park Service Centennial Act and 54 U.S.C. 100701 Protection, interpretation, and research in System.

Purpose: To administer education programs for education audiences including but not limited to school groups, scouting groups, extracurricular groups, and home school groups.

Routine Uses: To effectively manage requests for education received by the NPS, the Education Reservation Request Form is used to collect basic education reservation information to facilitate operational aspects of scheduling groups for park education programs, including in-park education programs, ranger in classroom programs, and/or online distance learning programs.

Disclosure: Voluntary, however, failure to provide the requested information may impede the ability to grant your education reservation request.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

We are collecting this information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501) to provide park managers and educators the information needed to schedule and conduct education program activities. All applicable parts of the form must be completed in order for your request to be considered. You are not required to respond to this or any other Federal agency-sponsored information collection unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. OMB has approved this collection of information and assigned control number 1024-0288.

Estimated Burden Statement

Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525. Do not send your completed form to this address.

Last updated: September 9, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers, CA 93271

Phone:

559 565-3341

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