Garden Classes

Garden Classes and Guided Tours are completely booked for Spring 2013.

Registration for Fall 2013 programs opens July 15, 2013. Registration for Spring 2014 programs opens October 15, 2013.

Students planting radishesAll Garden Classes are aligned with local and national science standards. Selected Garden Classes are correlated to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Grade-level Expectations (view or download Field Trip GLE correlations).

Classes are conducted in the classroom and in the Garden. Participants should dress for the weather.

Jump to Garden Classes for:
Grades K–2
Grades 3–5
Grades 6–8
Grades 9–12

Learn about scheduling, chaperone requirements and fees for Garden Classes.

 

Garden Classes for Grades K-2
Heaps of Seeds
Grades K–2
September–December

Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection.
Download GLEs.

Schedule a class!
Dandelion seed headFrom acorns to zinnia seeds, the beginnings of a plant are found in an amazing diversity of shapes and sizes. Students will discover that stored inside every seed are all the parts of a plant. They will explore the Garden in search of seeds that travel by wind, water and wildlife. Each student will plant basil seeds to take home and observe.
A Seasonal Snapshot
Grades K–2
September–December & February–May

Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection.
Download GLEs.

Schedule a class!
Apples on treeWhat season is it? How do you know? Through seasonal storyboards, students will observe the life cycle of an apple tree. Out in the Garden, students will practice their observation skills as they compare and contrast the current season with other times of year. Each student will plant seeds of the sensitive plant to take home.
Tops & Bottoms
Grades K–2
February–May

Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection.
Download GLEs.

Schedule a class!
OnionsWhat do we grow in the Garden? Tops, bottoms and middles! In this class, based on Janet Stevens’ book Tops & Bottoms, students identify and compare the physical structures of edible plants. Students will learn about the variety of plant parts we eat during their visit through the William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening, viewing fruits and vegetables growing. Each student will plant seeds from an edible plant to take home.
Dr. Carver: Soil Scientist
Grade 2 only
September–December & February–May

Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection.
Download GLEs.

Schedule a class!
Hands holding soilIt has been said that “anyone can have dirt, but gardens have soil.” Why is soil important to plant and food production? Dr. George Washington Carver discovered why, and so will your students as they conduct hands-on soil experiments. As we tour the Carver Garden, students learn about both scientific and humanitarian contributions made by Dr. Carver. Each student will take home a spider plant.

 

Garden Classes for Grades 3-5
Rainforest Rendezvous
Grades 3–5

September–December & February–May

Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection.
Download GLEs.

Schedule a class!
Plants inside Climatron
Escape to the Climatron® to learn how plants cope with over 80 inches of rain each year and compete for light in a dense forest. Giant leaves, climbing vines and epiphytes are just a few of the features of the rainforest your students will observe as they research the ways in which this productive biome is unique and important. They’ll become knowledgeable about rainforest products. Each student will plant a tropical house plant to take home.
Today’s Special: Food Chains
Grades 3–5
September–December & February–May

Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection.
Download GLEs.

Schedule a class!
Squirrel feedingWhat’s on today’s menu? Seeds, leaves and worms! The Garden abounds with the makings of a great meal for birds, squirrels and other native animals. Student will observe and study producers, consumers and decomposers. They will explore the grounds searching for evidence of plant and animal interdependence. Students will plant sensitive plant seeds to take home.
Dr. Carver: Soil Scientist
Grades 3–5
September–December & February–May

Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection.
Download GLEs.

Schedule a class!
Hands holding soilIt has been said that “anyone can have dirt, but gardens have soil.” Why is soil important to plant and food production? Dr. George Washington Carver knew why, and so will your students as they conduct hands-on soil experiments. Visit the Carver Garden and listen to his significant scientific and humanitarian contributions. Each student will take an air-cleaning spider plant home.
Green Is Here for Good!
Grades 3–5
September–December & February–May

Schedule a class!
Compact Fluorescent BulbsHow “green” are you? And why is it important? Students’ sustainability experiences at the Garden begin by exploring the topic itself. They will play a game to better understand this topic and what it means to use resources sustainably. Students will complete hands-on activities that illustrate the importance of recycling, energy conservation, composting and renewable resources. As the tour guide points out sustainable features of the Garden, the class will also engage in discussions about water conservation and simple ways that each person can use resources more efficiently. Before leaving, students identify one change they can make to live more sustainably.

 

Garden Classes for Grades 6-8
Asian Gardens: Science and Culture
Grades 6–8
September–December & February–May

Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection.
Download GLEs.

Schedule a class!
Bridge in Chinese GardenExplore Far East Asia in this integrated curriculum course! Students will discuss similarities and differences between the Chinese and Japanese cultures. As they visit the Margaret Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden (Chinese Garden) and Seiwa-en (Japanese Garden), they will grasp the underlying philosophies that influenced each Garden’s design and the traditions surrounding them. Connections to ecology surface as they stop by the koi or moss garden. They will try their hand at an abacus, and make additional connections across Social Studies, Fine Arts and Literacy. Students will assemble a Zen ‘Dry Garden’ to take home.

Lessons in our China Educator's Guide complement this class.
Flowers: More Than a Pretty Face
Grades 6–8
September–December & February–May

Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection.
Download GLEs.

Schedule a class!
Bee on marigoldExtend your students’ study of flower anatomy and pollination at the Garden. Students will examine flower parts to expand their understanding of the interaction between form and function. Exploring flowering plants in the Garden, students will analyze how similarities and differences among flowers affect the way these organisms live and thrive. Students will plant marigold seeds to take home.
Green Is Here for Good!
Grades 6–8
September–December & February–May

Schedule a class!
Compact Fluorescent BulbsHow “green” are you? And why is it important? Students’ sustainability experiences at the Garden begin by exploring the topic itself. They will play a game to better understand this topic and what it means to use resources sustainably. Students will complete hands-on activities that illustrate the importance of recycling, energy conservation, composting and renewable resources. As the tour guide points out sustainable features of the Garden, the class will also engage in discussions about water conservation and simple ways that each person can use resources more efficiently. Before leaving, students identify one change they can make to live more sustainably.

 

Garden Classes for Grades 9-12
Sustainability Makes Sense!
Grades 9–12
September–December & February–May

Schedule a class!
Solar panels on roof of houseExplore the topic of sustainability as students learn about the basic principles of green building. Students will discover exciting opportunities in this career field and investigate the impact that green building practices have on their homes and school. As the tour guides lead an interpretive tour of the Garden, discussing topics such as energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, recycling, composting, air quality, water conservation and the basics of green building, students are challenged to think of the impact their everyday actions have on the world around them. Students will leave the Garden with practical ideas of how they can lead a more sustainable life.

 

Scheduling, Chaperones and Fees

Garden Classes are offered September–December and February–May. Classes are available Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. and are two hours in length. Group size maximum is 60 students per two-hour class.

Classes must be scheduled at least six weeks in advance. Request a Garden Class.

For more information, please email schoolprograms@mobot.org or call (314) 577-5140.

Required chaperones:
Grades PK–3: 1 adult per 5 students
Grades 4–12: 1 adult per 8 students

Fees for Garden Classes:

Schools within the ZMD:
Students: $2
Required chaperones: free
Extra chaperones: regular admission

Schools outside of the ZMD:
Students: $4
Required chaperones: free
Extra chaperones: regular admission

Ready to register? Learn about preparing for your visit or go to the online request form. Note: 3-part Classes must be scheduled by phone.

 

What is the ZMD?

The Garden receives support from property taxes levied through the Zoo-Museum Tax District (ZMD) and can therefore provide free admission and reduced program fees to schools within St. Louis County and St. Louis City. For schools outside the ZMD, additional fees apply. To find out if your school is within the ZMD, call (314) 577-5140.

 

Climatron® is a registered servicemark of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Other Climatron Educational Services include:

  • Self-guided tropical rainforest tour
  • Plant studies
  • Educational materials regarding the rainforest (See Educational Resources)
  • Docent-led tours for people of all ages
  • Teacher-training workshops focusing on the rainforest and comparative ecosystem studies
  • Exhibits focusing on the rainforest and related issues
Quick Links
Visit the Children's Garden

Bring your class to the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden (open April–October)! School groups must preregister. Preregistered groups will receive discounted admission to the Children’s Garden!

Schedule a class visit!

 

Learn at Our Other Sites!

Check out field trip opportunities at the Shaw Nature Reserve and the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House!

Or if you’re looking for an opportunity for in-depth field study with your students, consider Litzsinger Road Ecology Center, managed by the Missouri Botanical Garden.

 

Scholarships Available

The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Education Department offers need-based scholarships so that every student has the opportunity to experience, explore, discover and learn at the Garden, the Shaw Nature Reserve and the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. Both schools/organizations and individual students may apply.

Learn more