National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior; arrowhead logo
Banner, Intrepretation and Education, The place for teachers and learners of all ages, park fun for kids and Junior Rangers A ranger adjusts a spotting scope for a group of visitors
Thin horizontal line

Welcome
If you are a teacher searching for classroom materials, a student doing research, or a person looking for a place to spend some time, have some fun and learn in the process, LearnNPS is for you.

Here you'll find curriculum, fun and games, a guide to park Junior Ranger programs and a host of other fun and educational media created by the National Park Service and our partners.

Come on in and experience your America in a new way.

What is Interpretation?
The word Interpretation means many things. It can mean the translation of languages, perceptions about poems or novels, how a person feels about a historic building, or thinks about a scientific theory.

In the National Park Service, Interpretation is the process of helping each park visitor find an opportunity to personally connect with a place. Each individual may connect to the place in a different way...some may not connect immediately, but everyone should have an opportunity to explore how a park is meaningful to them.

It might be that a ranger 's discussion of a scenic vista inspires an emotional connection for some. In the mind of another, the same landscape might provoke a more intellectual connection through an interpretive sign describing the geologic history of the scene.

The goal of all interpretive services is to increase each visitor's enjoyment and understanding of the parks, and to allow visitors to care about the parks on their own terms.

Rangers assist visitors with a viewing scope, examine slime with a young visitor and help students with research at the park
A ranger holds up a banana slug, another ranger answers visitor questions

 
 
ParkNet U.S. Department of the Interior FOIA Privacy Disclaimer FirstGov