Fourth graders at Okarche Elementary School learn about national parks and historic sites in the United States in an innovative way.

For the past three years, students of Halli Ford and Megan Henderson research their chosen site by first writing to the rangers at the National Parks Service for information of their chosen park or historic site.

Once they receive a reply from park rangers, students use this information as well as information gathered online to make a presentation, write a report, create a brochure and make a poster.

“Our students always have embraced the challenge and made it a great experience,” Henderson said.

Students have received items such as letters, patches, maps, brochures, post cards, pencils, bookmarks, stickers and junior ranger workbooks.

Students use all this information to write a report that tells the history of the national park or a historical site and what visitors can see and do when they visit.

Students also create a poster for their presentation, make a brochure to hand out and develop a monologue to introduce visitors to their information booth.

Teachers, staff, parents, school visitors and students from all elementary grade levels visit the information centers to learn about the site from the student rangers.

Learning about national parks and historical sites is part of the Oklahoma social studies curriculum.

Beginning Sept. 1, students also can sign up to receive a free national park pass that can be used at any national park or historic site by visiting the site: everykidoutdoors.gov.