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Children participate in an hands-on activity hosted by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at a previous Swain High Science Club Earth Day Celebration.
Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Swain County High School Science Club is making its Earth Day Celebration a tradition. In its third year, the club is inviting the public to get involved at the annual event to be held at the memorial stadium on Saturday, April 22.
Students Audrey Zelenka and Lorelei Wegner have been spreading the word about this special event, recently presenting to the Rotary Club of Bryson City.
The event is student coordinated and student operated. This year will build on the previous two years’ success.
“Our goal is to inspire and educate the community about nature, conservation and the planet,” Zelenka said in their presentation.
Swain’s Earth Day Celebration 2023 will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. with free entry (donations appreciated to benefit SCHS Science Club).
So, what’s planned?
The day will include booths from local nonprofits and school groups, educational speakers and fun activities.
“Student volunteers will be operating the interactive stations, while educators present their featured information,” explained Wegner. “There will be field games, such as corn hole, jump ropes, and other active things to do.”
New among this year’s activities are two smoothie bikes, where the power to blend the smoothies are people operated. People will also be able to paint rocks, plant seeds and sort recyclables.
Refreshments will also be available for purchase, and there will be raffle tickets available to help fund the club.
Some of the civic with booths include Smoky Mountain Beekeepers Association, Smoky Mountain STEM Collaborative, Swain County Cooperative Extension and PAWS.
“We hope the activities featured at our event will inspire people to become nature enthusiasts and to do their part in caring for the earth,” Zelenka said.