4th Grade's Historical trip to Mammoth Cave
by Lisa Preston, lower school naturalist
In 1917, a group of Peabody College students headed to Mammoth Cave--not by bus, but by train. Though their experience of almost a century ago was different from ours, it seemed familiar.
In 1917, a group of Peabody College students headed to Mammoth Cave--not by bus, but by train. Though their experience of almost a century ago was different from ours, it seemed familiar.
The fourth graders have been learning about the unique geology and geography that help define this place where we live, the Central Basin. What better place to learn more than by visiting the longest cave system in the world, Mammoth Cave National Park. With eight teachers and seventy-two students, we headed North on I-65 for our underground adventure.
We were lucky to get a chance to go on the "Domes and Dripstones" tour, not the usual tour for school groups. Once through the steel door, we walked down over 230 stairs, descending 250 feet below the surface. We saw amazing domes and entered a very large room where we walked on a limestone floor which once was the ceiling.
Students learned from Ranger Jim that the Mammoth Cave system is not a linear cave, but much like an upside down bowl of spaghetti--over 405 miles of winding and twisting caves with a thick capstone, all deposited hundreds of millions of years ago. The second part of our tour was highlighted by stalactites and stalagmites and an enormous column rightly named "Niagara Falls"--it was truly amazing!
Students learned from Ranger Jim that the Mammoth Cave system is not a linear cave, but much like an upside down bowl of spaghetti--over 405 miles of winding and twisting caves with a thick capstone, all deposited hundreds of millions of years ago. The second part of our tour was highlighted by stalactites and stalagmites and an enormous column rightly named "Niagara Falls"--it was truly amazing!
After our tour, we ate lunch outside, then enjoyed some time looking at the exhibits in the Visitor Center before heading back to USN--it was a day well spent~
*The two drawings of Mammoth Cave were submitted by Leah Joseph (4th-Noel) and Meggie Hays (4th-Avington) to a Mammoth Cave research group to be used as possible pictures for their April symposium brochure.
*Mammoth Cave pictures were taken by Beckie Stokes.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies
The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.Read More -
USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success
For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.Read More -
Middle School Quiz Bowl competes at national championship
The Middle School Quiz Bowl finished off another successful season with a trip to the Middle School National Championship Tournament in Chicago. The team fought hard and ended the season as a top-100 program in the country, finishing 75th overall. Congratulations to the team on a great performance and to Lucas Lupu ’31, named an All Star for being the fifth-highest scorer nationwide.Read More
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Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
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University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.