Education
Garden Classes
What is the ZMD?
The Garden receives support from property taxes levied through the Zoo-Museum Tax District (ZMD) and can therefore provide free admission to schools within St. Louis County and St. Louis City. For schools outside the ZMD, additional fees apply. To find out if your school is within the ZMD, call (314) 577-5140.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Registrations for the 2010–2011 school year will be accepted beginning July 1st, 2010 (note: a special September Plant Evolution class offered in conjunction with DinoQuest exhibit open through October 3).
- Classes are conducted in the classroom and in the Garden.
- Participants should dress for the weather.
- Classes are available Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Classes are 2 hours in length.
- Group size maximum is 50 students per 2 hour class.
- Reservations must be confirmed at least 6 weeks in advance for a Garden Class.
For more information please email schoolprograms@mobot.org or call (314) 577-5140.
Click here for instructions on how to register.
Required chaperones:
Grades PK–3
1 adult per 5 students
Grades 4–12
1 adult per 8 students
Fees for Garden Classes:
Schools within the St. Louis Zoo-Museum Tax District (ZMD):
Students and their required chaperones
free
Extra chaperones
$4 per extra chaperone
Schools outside of the ZMD:
Grades PK–8
$2 per student
Grades 9–12
$6 per student
Required chaperones
free
Extra chaperones
$8 per extra chaperone
Grades K–2
Heaps of Seeds
Offered September–December
From acorns to zinnia seeds, the beginnings of a plant are stored in an amazing diversity of shapes and sizes. Students will discover that stored inside every seed are all the parts of a plant. They will explore the Garden in search of seeds that travel by wind, water, and wildlife. Each student will plant basil seeds to take home and observe.
Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection.
GLEs
III-1D (K) a
III-1A (1st) b
III-1D (1st) a, c
III-1A (3rd) a
III-1B (3rd) a
III-1D (3rd) a
III-3D (3rd) a
A Seasonal Snapshot
Offered September–December and February–May
What season is it? How do you know? Through seasonal storyboards students will observe the life cycle of an apple tree. Out in the Garden, students practice their observation skills in order to compare and contrast the current season with other times of year. Each student will plant sensitive plant seeds to take home.
Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection.
GLEs
IV-1A (K) a, b
V-2F (K) (1st) a
V-2F (K) b
VI-2C (K) a
Tops & Bottoms
Offered February–May
What do we grow in the Garden? Tops, bottoms, and middles! In this class based on Janet Stevens’ book Tops & Bottoms, students identify and compare the physical structures of edible plants. Students will visit the Kemper Garden and enjoy seeing fruits and vegetables growing, while they learn about the variety of plant parts we eat. Each student will plant seeds from an edible plant to take home.
Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection.
GLEs
III-3D (K) a, b
III-1D (K) (1st) a
III-1A (1st) b
III-1D (1st) c
Grades 3–5
Rainforest Rendezvous
Offered September–December and February–May
Escape to the Climatron® to learn how plants cope with over 80 inches of rain each year and compete for light in a dense forest. Giant leaves, climbing vines, and epiphytes are just a few of the features of the rainforest your students will observe as they research the ways in which this productive biome is unique and important. Rainforest products will also be explored. Each student will plant a house plant from the tropics to take home.
Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection.
GLEs
III-1A (3rd) a
III-1D (3rd) a
IV-1A (4th) a, b
IV-3C (4th) a, d
Today’s Special: Food Chains
Offered September–December and February–May
What’s on today’s menu? Seeds, leaves, and worms! The Garden abounds with the makings of a great meal for birds, squirrels, and other native animals. In this class students will observe and study producers, consumers, and decomposers. They will explore Garden grounds, while searching for evidence of plant and animal interdependence. Students will plant sensitive plant seeds to take home.
Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection. GLEs
IV-2A (3rd) a, b, c, d
IV-1A (4th) a
IV-1D (4th) a
IV-2A (4th) a, b, c
Survivor MBG: Plant Adaptations(Grades 3–8)
Through multiple contacts with Garden staff, your students will learn about how plant structures aid a plant's survival. Learn more about this special program.
Dr. Carver: Soil Scientist
Offered September–December and February–May
It has been said that, “Anyone can have dirt, but gardens have soil.” Why is soil important to plant and food production? Dr. George Washington Carver knew why and so will your students. Students will conduct hands-on soil experiments and learn about the scientific and humanitarian contributions made by Dr. Carver. A visit to the Carver Garden makes this class complete. Each student will plant and take home a spider plant.
Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection.
GLEs
VII-1A (3rd) (5th) a
VII-1B (3rd) (4th) (5th) a, b
VIII-2A (3rd) (4th) (5th) a
VIII-3A (3rd) (4th) (5th) a
Grades 6–8
Flowers: More than a Pretty Face
Offered September–December and February–May
Extend your students’ study of flower anatomy and pollination at the Garden. Students will examine flower parts to expand their understanding of the interaction between form and function. Exploring flowering plants in the Garden, students will analyze how similarities and differences among flowers affect the way these organisms live and thrive. Students will plant marigold seeds to take home.
Download pre-visit lesson.
Download post-visit home connection.
GLEs
III-1A (6th) a
IV-1D (6th) a
IV-3C (6th) a, b
III-3A (8th) d
VII-1B (6th) (7th) (8th) a
Plant Evolution
For Grades 6–8
Offered in conjunction with the DinoQuest exhibit; Mondays and Thursdays only in September, 2010. 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. $6.00 per student. Required chaperones are Free (1 adult to 8 students).
Additional chaperones are $5.00 each in addition to Garden admission.
In this special class, students will learn about the four evolutionary processes and the co-evolution between plants and animals. Students will identify plants on the evolutionary timeline. Each student will plant a tropical plant to take home.
Don’t delay! Class must be scheduled by August 13th, 2010.
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