Field trip workshops are guided investigations of NGSS-related phenomena led by Garden educators that are offered on-site or virtually to meet your classroom needs. Browse our workshop offerings and then choose which type of experience and season works best for your group. All workshops are 45 – 60 minutes in length unless otherwise noted. Workshops cost $140 and must be booked a minimum of three weeks in advance.
Scholarship funding to cover the workshop cost is available on a first come, first served basis for qualifying schools. Visit the Chicago Botanic Garden scholarship application to learn more and apply.
On-site field trip workshops happen at the Garden and include indoor lunch space for your group. There is a maximum of 25 students and 8 adults per program. Before or after your Field Trip Workshop, your group may explore the Garden and take advantage of tram tours and exhibitions when in season. If interested, call the Registrar's Office at (847) 835-6801 with any questions about registration.
We offer on-site workshops on most weekdays at 10 or 11:30 a.m. in fall and spring. Availability depends on current bookings. Choose the season and then select your ideal date to see available time slots.
September 6 – November 18, 2022
at 10 or 11:30 a.m.
April 3 – June 2, 2023
at 10 or 11:30 a.m.
Virtual field trips deliver Garden learning to your classroom through an online meeting platform of your choice. Each program includes a kit of materials. Once your program is booked, a Garden educator will reach out to arrange delivery of materials and online meeting connection. To ensure the quality of the experience, schools may not combine multiple classrooms into one program.
We offer virtual workshops on most weekdays at 10 or 11:30 a.m., 12:30 or 1:30 p.m. in winter; one program per time slot. Availability depends on current bookings. Choose the season and then select your ideal date to see current availability.
November 28, 2022 – March 31, 2023
at 10 or 11:30 a.m., 12:30 or 1:30 p.m.
On-site in fall and spring
Virtual in winter
How do the parts of a plant help it get the things it needs to grow? Transplant a flowering plant and get ready to take care of it at home. (30 – 40 minutes)
On-site in spring
What do you mean, worms don’t eat dirt?! Investigate worms and their structures to understand how they survive in the soil and learn some surprising facts about these marvelous organisms.
On-site in fall
How do plants magically appear in new spots? Seeds have amazing ways to get around. Compare seed structures and functions and test different ways seeds disperse!
NGSS: 2-LS2-2; 3-LS4-3
On-site in fall
Virtual in winter
What's going on with these plants that eat bugs?! We grow carnivorous plants at the Garden: sundews, pitcher plants, and Venus fly traps. We will introduce you to them and guide you through an experiment understand what plants need to live and grow, and why these plants trap insects.
NGSS: 4-LS1-1; 5-LS2-1
On-site in fall and spring
Only September 6 – October 28 and May 1 – June 2
How can we tell if a body of water is healthy? Assess water quality by measuring the biodiversity of organisms found in the Garden’s lakes and learn how certain species are indicators of heathy water.
NGSS: MS-LS2-4; HS-LS2-2; HS-LS2-6
On-site in fall and spring
Virtual in winter
Can you make a system to grow plants in water? Take a video tour of the Windy City Harvest’s aquaponics system, learn the basics of growing plants in water, and then work with a Garden educator to design a small hydroponics system in your classroom.
NGSS: MS-LS2-4; MS-ETS1-1, 2, 3; HS-ETS1-1,2,3
If you have any questions, please email or call the Registrar's Office at (847) 835-6801.
