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

Sustainability Institute for Educators

June 25–27, 2024
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Sustainability Institute for Educators is an event tailored for educators of all backgrounds. This year's focus is on the significance of biodiversity in education, daily life and our communities.

Biodiversity encompasses the variety within and between species, as well as diverse ecosystems. Understanding and appreciating biodiversity is crucial for supporting all life on Earth, including human communities. Lessons on biodiversity can foster a deep nature connection and appreciation for the myriad of plants, animals and fungi in our environment.

Through interactive sessions and local biodiversity expert presentations, educators will learn just how important biodiversity is and how to bring connections to biodiversity topics to their learning spaces.

Sessions will demonstrate how a range of disciplines can work together to understand and address biodiversity issues, opportunities and needs through education and youth engagement while highlighting local examples of biodiversity work. Discover how solutions-orientated actions, projects and lessons can help build resilience and protect the future of biodiversity on this planet.

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

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.

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.

Winter EarthWays Sustainability Education Intern

Meet Julia! Learn more

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