Chicago Botanic Garden

Education

Student Field Trips

PHOTO: School Field Trips

Guided Programs K – 2
Guided Programs pre-k – 2
Guided Programs 3 – 5

Guided Programs K – 2

Surprising Seeds
Pre- and Post-Trip Activities
September 6 – April 6
Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – noon
$115
Maximum number of students: 30
A 1:5 ratio of chaperones to children is required.

What is inside a seed? As junior botanists, students learn about seed parts and how they work together to produce a new plant. Students will pot a seed to take home and also look for seeds in the Garden.

Tentative activities include the following:
• Seed Dissection
• Build-a-Seed

Garden Groceries
Pre- and Post-Trip Activities
September 6 – October 14
Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – noon
$115
Maximum number of students: 30
A 1:5 ratio of chaperones to children is required.

Students will discover the relationship between plant parts and the foods we eat. A garden exploration to study living examples that are in season is included. Students pot an edible plant to take home.

Tentative activities include the following:
• Plant Parts Puzzle
• Plant Parts Sorting

A Walk In the Woods
Pre- and Post-Trip Activities
October 31 – November 11
Mon. – Fri., 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. or 11 a.m. – noon
$115
Maximum number of students: 30
A 1:5 ratio of chaperones to children is required.

During this one hour nature walk, students will survey the Garden’s woodland habitat and use a field book to record observations. Woodland programs take place outdoors in McDonald Woods.

Tentative activities include the following:
• Sound Map
• Habitat Hunt

Garden Inquiry
January 30 – April 6
Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – noon
$115
Maximum number of students: 30
A 1:5 ratio of chaperones to children is required.

Using the process of inquiry, students will choose an age-level winter garden research question. As scientists using available tools, they will also find the answer to their question.

Tentative activities include the following:
• Age-appropriate review of science process
• Scientific experiment(s) using tools (thermometers, rulers, etc.)

Insect Investigations
Pre- and Post-Trip Activities
September 6 – October 14
Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – noon
$115
Maximum number of students: 30
A 1:5 ratio of chaperones to children is required.

There is more to life in the garden than just plants. Come see the Garden through insect eyes, learn about insect characteristics, and observe unique relationships between plants and insects. Students will pot a plant to take home.

Tentative activities include the following:
• Exploring for insects
• Build-an-Insect

Science Sleuths
Remaining Available Dates: June 4 – 7
April 23 – June 8
Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – noon
$115
Maximum number of students: 30
A 1:5 ratio of chaperones to children is required.

Students will be immersed in hands-on adventures relating to plants and their role in the ecosystem. Discovery stations in diverse Garden areas facilitate an exciting outdoor, garden-based experience with plants and the environment.

Guided Programs pre-k – 2

New! Trains and Trees
November 28 – December 16
Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – noon
$115
Maximum number of students: 30
A 1:5 ratio of chaperones to children is required.

Explore the enchanting Wonderland Express exhibition and learn more about evergreen trees and their adaptations to the change in seasons. Students will take home a special holiday craft.

Tentative activities include the following:
• Wonderland Express Scavenger Hunt
• Evergreen Sorting

Guided Programs 3 – 5

Flower Lab
Pre- and Post-Trip Activities
September 6 – April 6
Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – noon
$115
Maximum number of students: 30
A 1:7 ratio of chaperones to children is required.

Why do some plants make flowers? As junior botanists, students learn about flower parts and how flowers, with pollinators’ help, produce seeds. Students will pot a flower seed to take home and also look for flowers in the Garden.

Tentative activities include the following:
• Flower Dissection
• Build-a-Flower

Pondering the Prairie
 Pre- and Post-Trip Activities
September 6 – October 14
Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – noon
$115
Maximum number of students: 30
A 1:7 ratio of chaperones to children is required.

Students explore the prairie, focusing on plant adaptations and ecosystem interactions by comparing two prairie types. Prairie programs take place outdoors in the Dixon Prairie.

Tentative activities include the following:
• Using tools to measure soil and air
• Using tools to determine plant diversity

Forest Fundamentals
Pre- and Post-Trip Activities
October 31 – November 11
Mon. – Fri., 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. or 11 a.m. – noon
$115
Maximum number of students: 30
A 1:7 ratio of chaperones to children is required.

During this one-hour nature walk, find evidence of seasonal change, food chains, and nutrient cycles. Students record their observations in a field journal. Woodland programs take place outdoors in McDonald Woods.

Tentative activities include the following:
• Food-chain Relay
• Woodland Scavenger Hunt

Plant Propagation
Pre- and Post-Trip Activities
January 30 – April 6
Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – noon
$115
Maximum number of students: 30
A 1:5 ratio of chaperones to children is required.

Clone a new plant from part of another one! Compare and experiment with some different methods for propagating plants that we use at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Plant a stem cutting to take home and watch the roots grow.

Tentative activities include the following:
• Propagation Sorting
• Plant Observations

Science Sleuths
Remaining Available Dates: June 4 – 7
April 23 – June 8
Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – noon
$115
Maximum number of students: 30
A 1:5 ratio of chaperones to children is required.

Students will be immersed in hands-on adventures relating to plants and their role in the ecosystem. Discovery stations in diverse Garden areas facilitate an exciting outdoor, garden-based experience with plants and the environment.