Virtual field trip programs bring investigations of natural phenomena, encounters with interesting plants, talks with botany professionals and more, into your classroom. This year there are two options for virtual programs, a hands-on, virtual version of an on-site field trip program and the new Classroom Connections program. Call the Registrar's Office at (847) 835-6801 with any questions about registration.
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 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 Mondays – Thursdays 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. Programs cost $140 and must be booked a minimum of three weeks in advance.
November 27, 2023 – March 22, 2024
10 or 11:30 a.m., 12:30 or 1:30 p.m.
How do the parts of a plant help it get the things it needs to grow? And what happens when a plant doesn’t get what it needs? Dig deeper into plant structures and functions and pot your very own plant.
NGSS:: K-LS1-1, K-ESS3-1, 1-LS1-1
What is the reason for a flower, and how does it do its job? Become scientists through a guided dissection of a real flower to look for patterns in form and function to hypothesize about how pollination works.
NGSS: 2-LS2-2; 3-LS1-1; 4-LS1-1
What's going on with these plants that eat bugs? We will introduce you to sundews, pitcher plants, and Venus flytraps and guide you through an experiment to understand what plants need and why carnivorous plants have adaptations to trap insects.
NGSS: 4-LS1-1; 5-LS2-1; MS-LS1-4
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 system hydroponics system in your classroom.
NGSS: MS-LS2-4; MS-ETS1-1, 2, 3; HS-ETS1-1,2,3
Join us for a new virtual program to share the Chicago Botanic Garden with your school! Each program will consist of a 60-minute presentation, activity, or mystery led by a Garden educator. Topics will include investigations of natural phenomenon, encounters with interesting plants, talks with botany professionals, and more!
Classroom Connections workshops are offered most Fridays in winter. Different dates have different topics offered at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Please, only register for one time per date. One ticket equals one classroom and multiple classrooms may register for the same time. The cost is $25 per class and must be booked a minimum of three weeks in advance.
Fridays, December 1, 2023 – March 15, 2024
10 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.
To register for a program in winter, choose a workshop below.
Available: Fridays, December 1, 2023, or January 26 or March 1, 2024
Scientists need your help to figure out what pollinates this strange plant. Learn about how different flowers attract particular pollinators based on their color, shape, and size. Then work together as a class, using your collective deductive reasoning skills, to predict what animal this strange flower is trying to attract. This online live presentation series will teach your class about plants and the people who work with them. Each interactive session, broadcast from the Garden to your classroom, will engage up to eight classes of students in a topic, with opportunities to talk to Garden professionals, ask questions, and think together about plants. Each session supports the NGSS and will be approximately 60 minutes.
Available: Fridays, December 8, 2023, or February 2 or March 8, 2024
Get an introduction to careers in botany, conservation, and horticulture. Presenters will describe their work and why they love their jobs. Each session will have different presenters. A list of the professionals will be sent to your class prior to the session so that you can prepare questions. This online live presentation series will teach your class about plants and the people who work with them. Each interactive session, broadcast from the Garden to your classroom, will engage up to eight classes of students in a topic, with opportunities to talk to Garden professionals, ask questions, and think together about plants. Each session supports the NGSS and will be approximately 60 minutes.
Available: Fridays, December 15, 2023, or February 9 or March 15, 2024
Hear from Chicago Botanic Garden specialists about how they take care of some of the most remarkable plants at the Garden. Discover how they apply life science ideas in the real world. The name of the specific specialist and the plant they care for will be sent to your class prior to the session. This online live presentation series will teach your class about plants and the people who work with them. Each interactive session, broadcast from the Garden to your classroom, will engage up to eight classes of students in a topic, with opportunities to talk to Garden professionals, ask questions, and think together about plants. Each session supports the NGSS and will be approximately 60 minutes.
Available: Fridays, January 12 or February 23, 2024
How do you get new plants? Learn about why you don’t always need seeds to grow new plants and come follow along with us as we walk you through the steps of propagation and set up a classroom experiment. This online live presentation series will teach your class about plants and the people who work with them. Each interactive session, broadcast from the Garden to your classroom, will engage up to eight classes of students in a topic, with opportunities to talk to Garden professionals, ask questions, and think together about plants. Each session supports the NGSS and will be approximately 60 minutes.
If you have any questions, please email or call the Registrar's Office at (847) 835-6801.
