Q10. Complete the following fill-in-the-blank; “An unexpected or unplannable park experience that I hope to someday spontaneously have is ___________”? #ParkChat

Q9. I know we’re sharing, but do you more often keep unexpected moments to yourself OR share/post about them so others can learn from your discoveries? #ParkChat

Q8. What often-overlooked activities (like night hikes, visitor center exhibits, or a park specific activity) that you’d recommend that the uniformed might skip? #ParkChat

Q7. How can visitors use maps, apps, or park brochures creatively to discover “hidden” parts of a park? What method or tool is the best for discovering the unknown#ParkChat

Q6. What’s your strategy for using and not losing time due to a weather delay, a bison in the road, a trail closure, or some other “unforseen” surprise? #ParkChat (this pics for you Black Hill Association!)

Halfway through! Q5. How do you encourage kids (or friends obsessed with getting that one Insta-worthy snap) to explore beyond the obvious attractions in a park? #ParkChat

Q4. When you think of “unexpected park moments” you've had, what stories come to mind? #ParkChat (this photo of the Pando Tree is for all the aspen lovers out there)

Q3. How can pre-trip planning help you spot opportunities for learning and enjoyment you might otherwise miss? #ParkChat

Q2. What are some hidden gems you’ve stumbled upon in a national park that aren't "well known" or iconic spots? #ParkChat

Tonight we discuss the unexpected/surprising side of our parks Q1. When visiting a national park, how do you balance seeing the “must-sees” with leaving room for unexpected discoveries? #ParkChat

Hello friends & welcome to #parkchat ! This is your host James Fester - park volunteer, and author of the The National Park Classroom - available at fine online bookstores AND at 11 national park bookstores (except Yosemite where roof collapsed and closed store) Where we all coming from tonight?

We're less than an hour from #parkchat so grab yourself a snack and bring your best "national park surprise" stories and experiences! We're going to have a ball and you are invited! #nationalparks #findyourpark #publiclands

Hey there #parkchat friends! I'm looking forward to hosting tonight's chat where we'll share tips/tricks/and strategies that help find and deal with the unexpected and surprising opportunities that make our parks incredible places to visit. You won't want to miss it!

New Substack Post - Discover how teachers can bring national parks, outdoor learning, and place-based education into back-to-school season for deeper student engagement - thenationalparkclassroom.substack.com/p/dwelling-v... #edchat #parkchat #FindYourPark #elemchat #teachersoftwitter

Proud to have contributed and been quoted in this New York Times article which details the impact of the current administrations cuts to our national parks, especially their educational offerings! www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/u... #edchat #nationalparks

Woot! We are so excited to collaborate on this handbook. Check it out and get writing outside #writeout @writingproject.bsky.social

Ready for #WriteOut ? Check out this free handbook for ideas about how to get your students outside and inspired to write! writeout.nwp.org/wp-content/u... #edchat #sschat #elachat #writing #WriteOut2025

EARLY ACCESS Link to 7/21 Substack Post - Stories on the Landscape: How to integrate the power of stories into your lessons to make them more engaging, impactful, and meaningful! open.substack.com/pub/thenatio... #edchat #sschat #elachat #pblchat #education #K12 #scichat

Free Professional Learning for teachers using my new book - Check out all the awesome ideas you can uncover with Book Creator - read.bookcreator.com/library/-OKg... #dbcincbooks #tlap #EduSky #EduSkyAI #aiedu #GoogleEDU

Looking for inspiring ideas for lessons and #pbl projects? Check out my latest Substack post which is full of ideas and resources coming straight from our public lands - open.substack.com/pub/thenatio... #edchat #pblchat #sschat #scichat #educhat #scichat #sschat

I want you to consider quitting #PBL (...but not really) We spend a lot of time talking about planning & revising projects, but how often do we consider the indicators that might suggest its time to move on to a new project - edut.to/43jkIC3 #edchat #pblchat

How do you create learning experiences that have impact and address real-world problems? Read all about how in my newest. Substack post - bit.ly/4lV8t5E #edchat #sschat #scichat #k12chat #elemchat #pblchat

Podcasts are one of the most versatile #PBL projects you can facilitate with students and work for any subject and age group. Learn more about in my newest article published by @edutopia www.edutopia.org/article/usin... #edchat #pblchat #elemchat #k12

Our #NationalParkPlaylist Greatest Hit has to be this awesome book which was just released last month! It is packed with #teacherideas and #education suggestions just in time for#NationalParkWeek ! Check it out here -> amzn.to/4lEnkS1

If you can’t make it to a park during #NationalParkWek you can still explore the wonder of these places through this new book - it’s the perfect #NationalParkWeek companion! Check it out here and let me know what you think - amzn.to/4jL6E9P y#NationalParkPlaylist

Looking for a great summer read to go along with your #NationalParkPlaylist? Check out this new release - The National Park Classroom which shares all about the educational legacy of our park - perfect for #NationalParkWeek or any week! amzn.to/4jDPLO7 #edchat #k12

📷 Thrilled to be featured in the @BookCreatorApp #BrightIdeas Hub alongside so many other amazing folks @ClassTechTips @alicekeeler @HollyClarkEdu @jmattmiller Explore this collection of PL resources that ignite educator creativity & empower learning 📷 hubs.ly/Q03gBGQr0 #EduSkyChat

Had a great interview with Jody Maberry of the Park Leaders Show about the importance of using #nationalparks and public lands in the classroom! Lots of great ideas for #educators of all stripes in his latest episode - parkleaders.com/the-national... #edchat #sschat #scichat #teachers #k12

READ - my latest Substack post that provides three ways to take your next #nationalpark project to the "next level" - thenationalparkclassroom.substack.com/p/taking-nat... #edchat #sschat #elemchat #teacher #k12 #educhat

Check out this excellent blog from @ascdofficial.bsky.social @isteofficial.bsky.social that previews a chapter of my new book on how classroom teachers can benefit from modeling the pedegogy of park rangers - ascd.org/blogs/teach-... #edchat #teach #k12 #elemchat #scichat #sschat #pblchat

Have you heard? We’re #1! #1 New Release in Social Studies #1 New Release in Distance Learning Top 10 in Educational New Releases Top 20 in Instructional Methods See for yourself &bridge between our national parks and your learners! Get your copy - a.co/d/68WKrTl #edchat #teachers #k12

Standing room only in our #springcue session. So excited to see so many educators in the room for this presentation! #edchat #edtech Resources here —> bit.ly/JTResources #teachers

Excited to be at #springcue and presenting with the amazing Ranger Simone from Joshua Tree NP! Come to room and learn all about the thousands and thousands of resources available from YOUR public lands! Also I hear Ranger Simone has some freebies she'll be giving away #edchat #edtech #FindYourPark

IT'S FINALLY HERE! The National Park Classroom is not officially released! Pick up your copy today and learn all about what it means to "teach like a ranger" #edchat #teacherslife #edutwitter #parkchat #teachers #FindYourPark #nationalparks

Join us for a free webinar celebrating the release of our highly anticipated book! We'll share ten of our favorite #nationalpark made learning resources & tips on how to use them in the classroom! #edchat #teachers Join via this link @7:30pm (CST) on Tuesday, Marc 18th fb.me/e/2ICHEayTC

Tons of classroom-ready strategies, mountains resources, #PBL planning advice, project ideas for all grades #k12 and in every content area. These are just some reasons to buy my new book! www.nationalparkclassroom.com/book #edchat #findyourpark #nationalparks #pblchat #xlap

Are you a #teacher who isn't aware of the thousands of free #learning resources created by our #nationalparks ? Want to know how to use them to create #PBL adventures? Then pick up a copy of my new book and learn about how to "teach like a ranger" #edchat #pblchat #elemchat #teachers #scichat

Q9 - What's a park-based question you wish you knew more about? #parkchat

Q8 - What was the best/most unique/memorable "ranger move" you've seen in service of learning or visitor experience? #parkchat - I'm looking at all the "married to a ranger" folks to ask their significant others pleeze!

Q7 - Does every park have educational value even if few people will ever visit? (Gates of the Arctic, Lake Clark, etc) How do we articulate this value for those who won't get there? #parkchat

Hey! We're trending! Whoot! #parkchat

Q6 - If you could make it so EVERY KID in America learned one thing about their parks, what would you choose? #parkchat

Q5 - Are there any learning resources you found at a park that you'd recommend? (any fellow authors?) #parkchat

Q4 - Hit us with the best, most obscure "park fact" you ever learned! #parkchat

Q3 - What is your preferred method of learning about parks (ranger talks, museum, podcast, read ahead of time, etc?) #parkchat

Q2 - What is the best learning moment you ever had inside of a national park? #parkchat

I guess I could plug my substack. I think ya'll would like it - thenationalparkclassroom.substack.com #parkchat

I'm your guest host James Fester - educator, former Teacher-Ranger-Teacher facilitator, and author of The National Park Classroom which explores the educational legacy and potential of our #publiclands. AND I love my cover art! #parkchat Coming to you from Saint Paul, Minnesnowta!