National Park Foundation Invests Over $1M in Hands-On Learning Opportunities for Middle and High School Students

Field Science grants support immersive education experiences built to engage middle and high school students using national parks as living classrooms and laboratories

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Park Foundation (NPF) is excited to announce that it has awarded more than $1 million in grants to support over 20 projects that will provide immersive science learning experiences for middle and high school students in parks across the country. NPF's Field Science program encourages students to strengthen critical thinking skills, deepen their understanding of STEM concepts, and put what they learn in the classroom into practice through classroom-aligned engagements, extended in-park experiences, out-of-school-time programs, and community involvement opportunities.

Developed in collaboration with parks, local schools, community centers, and science education programs, these projects encourage students to explore their environment, take a participatory role in science, and become park stewards. From observing and documenting local wildlife to conducting fieldwork alongside park scientists, these community-science projects and experiences give students opportunities to learn and apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills while building meaningful connections to parks.

Examples of projects funded for the 2026-27 school year include:

• Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park will expand its educational programming at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, encouraging students to explore the natural world through nature journaling and share what they discover through a gallery exhibit at their school.
• Ecologik Institute will connect students to Cabrillo National Monument to conduct fieldwork alongside park staff, contribute to habitat restoration projects, analyze data with scientist-mentors, and help develop solutions to challenges facing the park.
• Glacier Peak Institute will engage high school students at North Cascades National Park in a multi-part investigation of wildfire and the carbon cycle, combining classroom learning and field research to explore forest ecosystems and evaluate wildfire management strategies.
• Arizona Deserts National Parks Partnership will lead a collaborative effort to connect local middle and high school students to Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Memorial, and Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Up to 10 teachers will be trained to design and implement student-led, inquiry-based learning experiences and then conduct classroom sessions, distance learning, and visits to one or more participating parks with park staff and community partners.
• Oakland Unified School District will engage 6th-12th grade students at Point Reyes National Seashore through day trips and overnight excursions that build environmental literacy and scientific inquiry skills. These experiences are part of a broader, district-embedded model that ensures students engage in outdoor learning across multiple public lands and park systems throughout each grade level and over the course of their academic journey, building familiarity, confidence, and a lasting connection to nature year after year.
• Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument will invite high schoolers in the Las Vegas Valley to join National Park Service paleontologists, research geologists from the U.S. Geological Survey, and a selection of undergraduate students in the field as they work together to carefully excavate fossils, prepare them for safe transport, and collect important contextual information from the surrounding sediments.

View the full list of this year's grantees here.

Notably, these projects are intended to encourage students — whether they've previously visited the park or not — to explore the environment in a new way, connect more deeply with scientific tools and content, and explore unique career paths. Connecting students with new experiences and career paths can broaden their sense of what is possible while bringing parks, educators, and community partners together around shared goals.

"The opportunities for learning in national parks are as varied as the parks themselves. These projects give middle and high schoolers the opportunity not just to ask questions, but to take part in the meaningful work that helps us all understand these special places better," said NPF Chief Program Officer Mike Reynolds. "By investing in these experiences, we're helping students see that careers in science and conservation can be paths they can pursue for themselves."

NPF is proud to continue this work nationwide, made possible through the generous support of partners and donors, including Randi and Bob Fisher, American Airlines, Nature Valley, and many other supporters.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

The National Park Foundation is the nation's most trusted way for people to support America's national parks. We work with the National Park Service and partners across the country to fund priority projects that keep parks strong, relevant, and accessible. This work helps ensure parks continue to inspire pride across the country and offer experiences that create meaningful connection. In 2025, NPF funded $100 million in on-the-ground priority projects nationwide, made possible through the generosity of donors, to advance critical work, including infrastructure, restoration, education, and access, ensuring parks continue to endure for generations to come. Learn more at nationalparks.org and follow NPF on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Editor's note: For press interested in learning more about a Field Science project or scheduling a field visit, please contact the National Park Foundation media team at [email protected]

SOURCE National Park Foundation