Schools and Universities

Opportunities for PreK–12 Schools

Through our school-based, curriculum-enhancing educational programs and materials, we provide classroom and teacher presentations and resources on solid waste reduction, recycling, energy and air pollution. Lessons, projects, and activities are hands-on, interactive experiences that teach students how they can make a difference. 

In School Opportunities:

Current programs:

• Leadership in Environmental Action Projects (LEAP)
• MSD Clean Water Education
• 8-Step Action Plan

Past programs:

• Investigate Green Schools
• In the Air
• Healthy Hallways
• School Energy Efficiency Development (SEED)

Learn about other school program opportunities offered by the Garden

Outside of School Opportunities:

• Student Innovation Challenge 
• Write Outside Your Door
• Camp EarthWays: Young Green Builders 

Opportunities for Higher Education

We support institutions as they integrate sustainability into their curriculum and on their campus grounds.

We are able to assist your university with a number of tasks associated with improving the environmental literacy within your campus culture. These services are free-of-cost, and could include:

• Assessing existing operations and education and outreach needs
• Working with sustainability task forces, environmental committees, and "green teams" to identify team goals and objectives as well as university-wide initiatives
• Improving current operations to meet industry best practices and current standards
• Writing and incorporating policies to facilitate change
• Publicizing results to encourage success
• Working with the USGBC Missouri Gateway Chapter’s Higher Education Advocacy Subcommittee to provide other opportunities to get involved in green professions

The EarthWays Center's higher education offerings include:

STL Higher Education Sustainability Consortium

The EarthWays Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden can help your institution integrate sustainability and environmental literacy on your campus. We are proud to support the St. Louis Regional Higher Education Sustainability Consortium (STL-HESC).

Learn more about the Consortium and other initiatives happening within the higher education sector in St. Louis or contact STL-HESC Coordinator, Maggie McCoy at mmccoy@mobot.org for more information or about how you can get involved.

Sustainability Institute for Educators

Designed for educators from all roles and environments, the Sustainability Institute for Educators challenges participants to help learners build awareness, recognize responsibility, and take action as global citizens working to build a healthier, more sustainable world. This year, Institute participants will explore the multidisciplinary nature of climate change.

Teaching about the climate crisis can be daunting, but is not insurmountable. Climate action is happening all around us. Teachers can help students move through the natural anxiety they may be experiencing to join in and spark new solutions-oriented action.

Through interactive sessions and local climate change expert presentations, educators will learn the basics of climate science and how to bring climate solutions to their learning spaces. Sessions will demonstrate how a range of disciplines can work together to understand and address the needs of climate change through education and youth engagement. Join us to gain knowledge, tools, strategies, and community networking to explore climate solutions and help tackle this critical issue.

This year’s Institute will take place June 20-22, 2023, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Learning locations will include Missouri Botanical Garden, Saint Louis Zoo, and Webster University. The $125 registration fee includes participation in the three-day Institute and lunch. Graduate credit is available through Webster University for an additional cost. Scholarships are available.

Learn more and register

Internships

The EarthWays Center offers internship opportunities to college students seeking to gain experience or college credit in outreach and education-related fields with an emphasis in conservation and sustainability.

• EarthWays Sustainability Education Internship
• EarthWays Energy Efficiency Programs/Sunflower+ Internship

Learn more

For more information about these programs and other opportunities, please contact Maggie McCoy at mmccoy@mobot.org.

School Programs at the Missouri Botanical Garden

The Garden offers a wide variety of school programs including classes, guided tours, outreach programs and teacher professional development opportunities. Learn more