Education

Teacher Programs

Summer 2011 Programs

Garden Camp for Teachers III:
Ecosystem Studies Summer Institute
Ecosystem Studies Summer Institute
June 27 – June 29 & September 17
at the Chicago Botanic Garden in the Fairchild Room
Monday – Wednesday & Saturday
June 30 – July 1 at Openlands Lakeshore Preserve
Thursday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $285

Grade level: K-12
CPDU credit: 45, Lane credit: 3, Graduate credit: 3
An additional fee for graduate credit ($100 per credit though Aurora University and $140 per credit through National Louis University) will be collected on the first day of the workshop.

The Chicago Botanic Garden and Openlands are excited to offer this outdoor weeklong summer institute that focuses on the native plants and animals that make up the ecosystems of Illinois. More specifically, we will discuss the interactions of native and invasive organisms in woodland, prairie, and ravine ecosystems. This institute will prepare you to explain issues of biodiversity, adaptation, and interdependence. Reduced fees may be available for underserved districts, pending funding.

Garden Camp for Teachers I: Botany Basics Summer Institute
July 11 – 13 at the Garfield Park Conservatory
Monday – Wednesday
July 14 – 15 & October 1 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in the Fairchild Room
Thursday – Friday & Saturday
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $285

The Chicago Botanic Garden and Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance present this popular weeklong, hands-on institute focused on plant fundamentals and the plant life cycle. Learn how plants function, adapt, and interact with their environment; then incorporate active plant-related activities into subjects across the curriculum. Reduced fees may be available for underserved districts, pending funding.

New! Gardening in the Classroom: Horticulture for Students
with Special Needs
July 21 and 22 at the Chicago Botanic Garden
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $150 ($140 for Educator Members)

Grade level: K-12
CPDU credit: 15, Lane credit: 1, Graduate credit: 1
An additional fee for graduate credit ($100 per credit though Aurora University and $140 per credit through National Louis University) will be collected on the first day of the workshop.

Come join us for a 2-day workshop while we explore using Horticultural Therapy in the classroom to engage students with special needs. Educators of grades K-12 will learn about basic theory behind Horticultural Therapy, sensory plant selection criteria and how to incorporate plant-based activities into the curriculum. We will also tour the Buehler Enabling Garden and explore the concept of barrier-free gardening.

Earth Partnership for Schools (EPS) Summer Institute
July 25 – 29 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Burnstein Hall
Monday – Friday
December 10 at Ryerson Woods
Saturday
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Need funding to green your school? K-12 teacher teams of 4 or 5, from Dupage, Lake, McHenry and Cook counties, are eligible for grant funding to support your professional development. We are seeking teachers with creative minds, willing hands and a team-building focus. Schools will receive funding for planting a native garden at your school if you apply right away. Please call us if your team and school fit the requirements of our grant opportunity and would like to submit an application. This is an application process and you must contact the EPS Chicago representatives if interested.

Requirements: If you are a: Title 1 School, with a reduced/free lunch program with a high percentage of minority groups, (including a diverse population and young women) and are willing to step up your teaching skills to include STEM learning enhancements, you should apply for this today. Accepted schools will pay $100 per teacher. This includes curriculum, meals and supplies for the week. Upon completion, schools will receive $250 for their school grounds project and a $100 stipend per teacher based on a participation in the final evaluation. For registration information and questions regarding EPS and Eco-Schools 2011 training, please contact the Chicago Partner representatives listed below.

Cook County, Eva Danon at (847) 835-8253
DuPage County, Debbi Gayon at (630) 850-8116
Lake County, Melissa Alderson at (847) 968-3326
McHenry County, Mary Kozub at (815) 678-4532

full - waitlist From Our Noses to Our Toes: Exploring Nature Through our Senses
August 10 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in the Fairchild Room
Wednesday
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $75

Grade level: Birth-PreK
CPDU credit: 7, Early Intervention credit: 6.5, Lane credit: NA, Graduate credit: NA

Join us for a fun-filled day open to anyone who works with infants and toddlers. Learn techniques for introducing nature to little people through sensory exploration and hands-on learning “stations.” This class is designed for early intervention providers, day-care providers, parents, and anyone who works with infants to three-year-olds, and it is adaptable for preK educators.

no longer available Climate Change and Earth Systems
Aug. 11 – 12 at the Chicago Botanic Garden
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $150 ($140 for Educator Members)

Grade level: 4-12
CPDU credit: 15, Lane credit: 1, Graduate credit: 1
An additional fee for graduate credit ($100 per credit though Aurora University and $140 per credit through National Louis University) will be collected on the first day of the workshop.

Join us for a two-day hands-on workshop focused on climate change and its impact on Illinois ecosystems. Activities will cover climate vs. weather, the earth’s energy balance, and historical climate cycles, as well as data use and interpretation skills. Field work in the Dixon Prairie and McDonald woods will provide examples of how ecosystems respond to changing climates. We will also explore the economic, political, social, and societal impacts of changing climates.