TRAVELING PROGRAM OFFERINGS

TRAVELING PROGRAMS

Bring the magic of New England Botanic Garden to your classroom, library, or youth organization with one of our traveling programs. Workshops are both educational and fun as students learn, explore, and create with hands-on projects and investigations. Preschool programs are 60-minutes in length and all other workshops can be adapted to fit a 60 to 90-minute schedule. All programs are led by our experienced Youth Education staff. Check out our full list of offerings below.  

Learning can be messy! Please read through the materials section list to determine which projects are suitable for your location and audience. Projects and instruction are scaled up or down based on the age and abilities of each group. 

Materials are included in the program price for up to 20 children, unless otherwise noted. Larger groups can be accommodated on a case-by-case basis and will incur an additional materials fee. Discounts are offered for groups of under 15 or for multiple sessions of the same program booked on the same day at the same site. Please note, an additional mileage fee applies for travel over 10 miles from New England Botanic Garden. 

RESERVATIONS
Please note that availability is limited. Programs must be booked at least one month in advance. For more information or to make a reservation call 508.869.6111 x132 or email youtheducation@nebg.org.

In addition to the program offerings listed below, New England Botanic Garden is proud support community driven efforts and events. To learn more please visit our Community Events page.

PROGRAM OFFERINGS

*All Preschool programs are for a maximum of 15 children 

Backyard Birds | $250
Learn about birds as we study their adaptations and behavior through play, storytelling, songs, and science investigations. Learn how birds build their nests and then make your own nest.
Materials: Glue, cut paper, clay, popsicle sticks, feathers.
Ages 3-5

Let’s Get Growing | $250
Explore the wide world of plants as we sing songs, read, play, investigate, and plant our own beans to care for in the classroom.
Materials: Soil, seeds
Ages 3-5

Wishing for Wings | $250
Learn about the lifecycle of a butterfly as we sing songs, read, play, investigate, and create our own wearable paper wings.
Materials: Glue sticks, cut paper
Ages 3-5

Growing Green $1000
This 5-week series will introduce students to plant-based solutions to climate change and environmental issues and injustices. Each week students will participate in a one-hour guided lesson that incorporates hands-on learning through games, activities, science investigations, and group projects.

  • Lesson 1: Learn about the difference between weather and climate and be introduced to the topic of climate change as we test out a water pollution model.
  • Lesson 2: Learn about the water cycle in the urban environment and understand human impact on water pollution. Students will learn about the process of water filtration and test the effectiveness of their own water filter designs.
  • Lesson 3: Learn about photosynthesis and understand how plants use this special adaptation to store carbon and keep our planet clean. Conclude with a game that explains carbon emissions and how to reduce environmental impact.
  • Lessons 4 & 5: Students will become urban planners as they create their own neighborhoods that incorporate green design solutions to combat the urban heat island effect and environmental injustice.

Standards: NGSS:5-ESS3-1, ESS2-1, 5-ESS3-2, 5-LS1-1, 5.3-5-ETS3-1, NGSS: 3-5-ETS1
Grade 5

Plant Pantry $250
Learn about the structure of the plants we eat from root to fruit and what portions of different plants are or are not edible.
Standards: K-L1-1, K-LS1-2, 1-LS1-1
Grades K & 1

Water Wizards $250
Students will learn about the water cycle in the urban environment and understand the human impact. on water pollution. Students will learn about the process of water filtration and test the effectiveness of their own water filtration designs.
Standards: NGSS:5-ESS3-1, ESS2-1
Grade 5

Container Gardens | $400
Learn what plants need to survive, decorate a terracotta pot, plant a container garden crop, and start a growing journal.
Materials: Terracotta pots, acrylic paint, soil, seeds
Ages 6-14

Floral Arranging | $525
Learn about the lifecycle changes from flower to fruit, dissect a tulip, and create a unique arrangement in a vase.
Materials Glass vase, flowers, greens, wire, tape
Ages 7-12

Happy Houseplants | $500
Learn the basics of plant care, decorate a terracotta pot, and pot up your own easy to care for 3” houseplant.
Materials: Terracotta pots, acrylic paint, soil, live plant
Ages 7-12

Kokedama for Kids | $525
Learn about this Japanese planting style and create your own miniature Kokedama display.
Materials: 3” houseplant, sphagnum moss, soil, water, twine
Ages 8-18

Mason Jar Gardens | $400
Learn what plants need to survive, plant two types of flowers or herbs from seed, and start a growing journal.
Materials: Glass jars, soil, seeds
Ages 6-12

Flower Press | $350
Create an upcycled press for preserving leaves and petals, learn about the lifecycle changes from flower to fruit, and dissect a tulip.
Materials: Cardboard, paper, cut flowers
Ages 7-14

Terrific Terrariums | $450
Learn about cacti and succulent care by creating a terrarium complete with a live plant, sea glass, sand, marbles, and more.
Materials: Glass globes, soil, pea gravel, décor, live plant
Ages 7-18

Clay Orchids $400 
Learn about the parts of an orchid and the basics of molding clay, then sculpt your own orchid to stay blooming all year long. 
Materials: Air dry clay, clay tools
Ages 8-18

Floral Crowns | $350
Learn about the language of flowers and create a lasting wearable floral crown.
Materials: Wire, floral tape, faux flowers, ribbon, yarn, beads
Ages 7-14

Monster Masks | $350
Learn about animal adaptations and create an upcycled animal or monster mask using cardboard, cut paper, and more.
Materials: Paper, cardboard, glue, tape
Ages 6-10

Nature Journaling | $350
Practice making observations and create an upcycled nature journal draw and record the details of your plants.
Materials: Cardboard, paper, glue
Ages 6-18

Plant Prints* | $400
Use leaves and paint to create frame worthy prints. Decorate a wooden frame to display your favorites.
Materials: Washable paint, cardstock, foam rollers, leaves
Ages 6-12
*Not offered November through April

Wonders of Watercolor | $350
Study plants or animals up close and learn basic watercolor techniques to capture their details.
Materials: Watercolor paper, watercolor paint, water
Ages 8-18

Plant Slime | $400
Learn about the sticky, slimy adaptations of plants and mix up your own slime recipe.
Materials: Liquid glue, glitter, food coloring, baking soda, contact solution
Ages 6-12

Salt Dough Metamorphosis | $350
Mix up your own salt dough recipe and learn about metamorphosis by molding the lifecycle stage of a butterfly or frog.
Materials: Salt, flour, food coloring, water
Ages 6-12

CANCELATION POLICY
Please contact youtheducation@nebg.org or call 508.869.6111 ext. 132, as soon as possible if you would like to postpone, reschedule, or cancel your program. A full refund will be made if the cancelation is requested at least two weeks before the date of the program. Cancelations less than two weeks before the program date will forfeit the program fee (exceptions will be made if the cancelation is mutually agreed upon or due to inclement weather).

QUESTIONS?
Please contact the Manager of Youth Education at youtheducation@nebg.org. 

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