Outreach Programs

Butterfly House outreach programs are available year-round to school groups, libraries, summer camp programs and other groups.  Standard programs run 45 minutes each and can accommodate up to 30 students.  Flexible timing is available with advance notice. 

Learn about fees and scheduling and additional outreach options including science nights, speakers for adult groups and teacher professional development.

 Schedule an outreach program

Outreach Programs
Story of a Butterfly
Grades PreK–K
Young children will learn about metamorphosis and the butterfly life cycle, the parts of a butterfly's body, and learn how its survival needs are similar to and different from those of plants and other animals.

Bug Lab
Grades K-5
Learn the exciting and valuable jobs insects have while interacting with living animals. This program uses both mounted and living insects to give your students insights into the roles insects play in our world. This program features our largest variety of living animals, and each animal reveals the stories of how insects find food, escape danger, benefit other living things, and more!



Wings of Wonder
Grades K–5
Metamorphosis, anatomy, and butterfly behaviors are discussed with hands-on demonstrations. Preserved specimens of caterpillars, chrysalids, and butterfly wings are provided for students to examine.

Adventures in a Butterfly Garden
Grades K-2
Discover pollination as we explore and compare the life cycles of butterflies, honeybees, and plants. Students will learn that fruits and seeds can only come from plants that have been pollinated, and we will discuss different ways that insects, birds, and other animals spread pollen and disperse seeds.

Bugs Alive: Ecosystem Challenge
Grades 3–5
Through a series of live animal encounters, students will explore an animal’s place in an ecosystem by examining the adaptations, senses, and genetic variation of each. Students will be exposed to a variety of ecosystems and the challenges organisms face for survival in each. At the end of the lesson, students will be challenged to design an insect that has adaptations necessary for survival in an assigned ecosystem.

Science Nights

Additional outreach programs are available upon request. Options range from information and activity tables for science nights to custom classroom presentations covering specific topics that fit your curriculum. Pricing is $150 for 1 hour and $50 for each additional hour. Contact us at (314) 577-0888 x 2 or butterflyhouseeducation@mobot.org for information.

Family Science Nights

  • Let us bring the wonders of the Butterfly House to you. We will bring real specimens of butterfly wings, mounted insects and living insects. We are happy to modify the presentation to fit the theme of your evening.

STEAM nights

  • Did you know that insects can provide great lessons for force and motion? They also make great models for lessons on light, sound and more! Amaze and delight your students through hands-on experiences with insects, as we provide information about the Butterfly House and its offerings.
Speakers for Adult Groups
Topics include:
  • Growing a Butterfly Garden
    • We discuss the best native plants for attracting butterflies, including host plants for caterpillars and nectar plants for adult butterflies.
  • Butterflies – Getting to Know You
    • We present a slide show to introduce some of the typical inhabitants of our Tropical Conservatory and native species of the Midwest.
  • The Butterfly House – A Brief History
    • Hear about the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House from conception to what the future holds.
Professional Development Workshops
Professional development is available for preschool or elementary teachers. Various rates apply. Contact the Butterfly House at (314) 577-0888 x 2 or for more information email butterflyhouseeducation@mobot.org.
 
Fees and Scheduling

Brownie views invertebrateFees
Standard programs are 1 hour long.  We are happy to work with you if you need a different program length. Each program costs $150 for the first program and $50 for each additional program scheduled for the same day. 

A maximum of three 1-hour programs can be scheduled on each day. If more than one program is offered on the same day, a minimum 10-minute break is required between programs. 

Outreach sites located more than 20 miles from the Butterfly House will be asked to pay an additional fee of $1/mile over 20 miles. 

Student participation is limited to 35 per program. Teachers/staff are required to stay in the room during the presentation.

Scheduling
Prior to scheduling, please check your school calendar and be aware of special programs, testing days, holidays and fire/tornado drills that may conflict with scheduling an Outreach program.

Classes are offered Monday through Friday. Special arrangements may be made if other days are preferred.

Schedule an outreach program

After you make a reservation, you will receive a confirmation letter via email. Please read and return a copy to the Education Programs Manager with proper payment as noted on the confirmation letter no later than one week prior to the scheduled program date.

 

Quick Links
Project Pollinator
logo

Project Pollinator offers outreach designed to help you create a pollinator garden in your schoolyard! Learn more

 

Learn at Our Other Sites

Check out school programs at the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Shaw Nature Reserve!

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.

 

Butterfly School

Don't miss the learning resources available on our Butterfly School website including additional instructional ideas, suggested reading and activities for all ages. Explore butterfly life cycle and behaviors while you learn more about butterflies, moths and other invertebrates.