The Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University offers classroom teachers a traveling trunk program that incorporates the natural and cultural aspects of gardening . The Appalachian Garden traveling trunk features hands-on exercises, experiments, definitions, diagrams, worksheets, books, magazines, and crafts. Funding for the project came from the Smithsonian Community Grant program, funded by MetLife Foundation and administered by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Services (SITES).

A main emphasis of the traveling trunk is the science of gardening. Science activities range from understanding decomposition in the soil to the pollination of flowers. Special equipment for classroom use includes a microscope to look at soil, flowers, and insect parts; a butterfly pavilion for pollinator observation; and insect nets. Cultural activities are designed around Cherokee-utilized plants and traditional pioneer folklore activities such as planting by astrological signs. Participants also examine “ mystery artifacts” used on the farm by early settlers.

All the activities were developed through the 3rd grade curricula for Science, Social Studies, Computer Technology, Mathematics, and Language Arts. The Appalachian Garden traveling trunk is the latest addition to the Center’s trunk series that also includes Reading a Quilt and A Day in the Life. For information about reserving one of these trunks, call the Center’s Educational Associate Peter Koch at (828) 227-7129.