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.
Garden Classes are all new!
You may begin making reservations for 2008–09 on May 1, 2008.
Recommended pre-visit lessons will be available online August 1st, 2008.
- 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 30 students per class. Exceptions may be made for grade level or team visits if classroom space is available for the date requested.
- 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
$4 per student
Required chaperones
free
Extra chaperones
$8 per extra chaperone
Grades K–2
Heaps of Seeds
Offered September–December
From acorns to apple 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, provide food for wildlife, and even seeds that people eat. Each student will plant a seed to take home and observe.
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–July
What season is it? How do you know? These are just some of the questions we will explore. Through hands-on investigation, students will collect evidence to define the four seasons. Out in the Garden, students practice their observation skills in order to compare and contrast the current season with other times of year.
GLEs
IV-1A (K) a, b
V-2F (K) (1st) a
V-2F (K) b
VI-2C (K) a
Tops & Bottoms
Offered February–July
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 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 and take home a radish.
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–July
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 and conservation will also be explored.
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–July
What’s on today’s menu? Seeds, leaves, earthworms and grubs! The Garden abounds with the makings of a great meal for birds and squirrels. In this class students will observe and study native producers, consumers, and decomposers. They will explore Garden grounds, while searching for evidence of plant and animal interdependence. Students will take home a plant that attracts native wildlife.
GLEs
IV-2A (3rd) a, b, c, d
IV-1A (4th) a
IV-1D (4th) a
IV-2A (4th) a, b, c
Trees Demystified
Offered September–December and February–July
What would happen if your socks ended up in the t-shirt drawer? How would you find them? Staying organized is one reason scientists classify things. Learn to look at plants in the Garden from a scientist’s point of view. Make a dichotomous key to identify trees while exploring the Garden. Students will return to school with the beginning of a field guide.
GLEs
III-1E (5th) a, e
Dr. Carver: Soil Scientist
Offered February–July
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. In this class, students will become scientists for the day. Students will learn about the scientific and humanitarian contributions made by Dr. Carver and discover the answers to their own questions through a journey into the Garden and lab investigation. Each student will plant and take home a spider plant.
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
Birds & Bees Lead to Flowers & Trees
Offered September–December and February–July
Extend your students’ study of plant anatomy, pollination and reproduction 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 plants affect the way these organisms live and thrive. Refine scientific observation skills as students collect data, take careful notes, and produce scientific illustrations. Students will plant marigold seeds to take home.
GLEs
III-1A (6th) a
IV-1D (6th) a
IV-3C (6th) a, b
III-3A (8th) d
VII-1B (6th) (7th) (8th) a
New Pilot Program!
Survivor MBG: Plant Adaptations
For the 2008–09 school year, the Garden is offering a new and exciting pilot program for students in grades 3–8 located within the ZMD. Through multiple contacts with Garden staff, your students will learn about plant adaptations. Learn more about this special program.
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