Dollywood, Smokies Life, Discover Life in America Announce School Contest

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026) –  As students head back to the classroom and anticipation builds for the Aug. 19 public opening of Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition, a new educational contest gives teachers a fun way to engage their students and help them learn about one of nature’s most fascinating wonders—bioluminescence and biofluorescence. Dollywood, Smokies Life and Discover Life in America have partnered to create a program called “Glow Life” which offers fifth grade classrooms throughout East Tennessee and Western North Carolina an opportunity to learn about Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its naturally occurring bioluminescence and biofluorescence, key pieces of NightFlight Expedition’s storyline. 

Participating classes can submit Glow Life projects that meet Tennessee and North Carolina state science standards for an opportunity to win one of five class trips to Dollywood to find the glow on NightFlight Expedition themselves. Glow Life includes free curriculum that aligns with Tennessee and North Carolina fifth grade state standards, an educational video and a fall 2026 contest developed to inspire scientific curiosity in students who live near Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Five classes will win a spring 2027 trip to Dollywood where students can experience NightFlight Expedition. For the contest, classrooms are encouraged to make a creation of their own in a medium of their choosing, exploring bioluminescence and biofluorescence and their importance to living things in the Smokies. Projects can be an essay, art project, play, video, song, imagining a new bioluminescent creature or something else altogether. For details on how to participate in Glow Life and to view a list of eligible counties, visit https://smokieslife.org/glowlife-landing-page/

“In everything we do at Dollywood, it is our goal to be authentic to this amazing place we call home,” explained Carol Agee, Dollywood Community Affairs and Philanthropy Manager. “Our newest attraction, NightFlight Expedition, allows us to introduce the fascinating story of bioluminescence found here in the Smokies. We’re happy to work with Smokies Life and Discover Life in America on the Glow Life project. We hope it helps teachers across our region encourage their students’ growth and achievement in science, and ultimately, deepen their love and appreciation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.” 

When night falls in the Smokies, bioluminescence and biofluorescence create an intriguing glow throughout the park. Bioluminescence occurs when living organisms produce light due to a chemical reaction, while biofluorescence occurs when an organism absorbs ultraviolet or blue light and emits it in another color, typically red, orange or green.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is considered to be the most biodiverse of all the U.S. national parks, home to the largest variety of animals, plants, insects, fungi and other living organisms. More than 22,000 species have been documented to date by Discover Life in America, while scientists estimate that 60,000 to 80,000 total species call the Smokies home, leaving 60-70% waiting to be discovered by scientists. The goal of the Glow Life curriculum is to inspire fifth grade students to become those future scientists. 

Todd Witcher, Executive Director for Discover Life in America, notes that “the prevalence of synchronous fireflies have brought worldwide attention to the science and beauty of bioluminescence found in the national park. The Glow Life contest encourages scientific exploration beyond fireflies to an abundance of other bioluminescent and biofluorescent organisms, from mushrooms to salamanders, inviting students to explore the how, what and why of Smokies species that seem like magic.” 

Smokies Life, a nonprofit partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park that operates the eight visitor center stores found in and around the region, supports the scientific, historical and interpretive activities of the national park by providing educational projects and services to park visitors. 

“We’re always seeking ways to showcase that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a special place,” said Smokies Life CEO Jacqueline Harp. “Whether we are publishing a book, engaging a park visitor at the information desk or highlighting that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a park of science, we want people to celebrate and protect this landscape. It is exciting to find new ways to ignite curiosity for the next generation of scientists and stewards of the Smokies through the Glow Life project. We hope that this curriculum and contest will be a great resource for teachers and encourage students to connect to the many things to discover in the park.” 

Park officials believe Dollywood’s newest attraction also will inspire guests to take their own expedition into Great Smoky Mountains National Park to explore the country’s most-visited park. Called the most anticipated new attraction of 2026 by industry experts, media and influencers, Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition is a groundbreaking immersive indoor adventure coaster. Adventurers embark on a daring journey that sees them fly over majestic peaks, dive into churning rapids and glide across a shimmering Smoky Mountain lake. Immersed in the darkness of the Smokies, guests explore uncharted territory, searching for radiant light emanating from bioluminescent creatures and plants.

For more information about Smokies Life, visit smokieslife.org, and to learn about Discover Life in America, visit dlia.org.