LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

North Carolina Arboretum

A wide variety of classes and workshops are provided to students at the NC Arboretum, ranging from bonsai demonstrations to nature walks.

Preview your trip on the web: North Carolina Arboretum

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  • KinderGARDEN Provides information on starting a school garden, ideas and curricula for the school garden, and building an indoor growing science center. There is also information about and links to community and botanical gardens for student field trips.
  • Lesson plan: Butterfly 2: A butterfly's home Students should explore how various organisms satisfy their needs in the environments in which they are typically found. Students will design their own butterfly gardens to demonstrate which environmental characteristics make up a favorable butterfly habitat.
  • Lesson plan: Gardens all around Students learn to appreciate the plants and animals that make their homes in the gardens of North Carolina.
  • Lesson plan: From dirt to dinner This lesson serves as an introductory study of the plant world. The lesson allows students to study seeds, parts of plants, microclimates, and how to grow seeds into vegetable plants for harvest. Parents are encouraged to assist at home.
  • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center A botanical glossary, an image gallery, a native plants database, and a bibliography of native plants publications will help you find information on the botanical wildlife in all the regions of North America.

Related pages

  • Reynolda Gardens: The educational programs provided by Reynolda Gardens are "designed to encourage curiosity and creativity, provide information on topics related to the art and science of horticulture, and to inspire a sense of stewardship for local and world environments."
  • Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden: Students will enjoy a 1 1/2 hour tour led by trained garden guides either along the formal garden tour or the Woodland Trail tour through a beautifully forested area along a quarter mile nature trail.
  • YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly: Learn about the wildlife of the mountains and practice using a compass at this conference center located outside of Asheville, NC.

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Legal

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The North Carolina Arboretum is an affiliate institution of the University of North Carolina. School field trip programs that meet NC Science Competencies are offered for pre K through 12th grade on topics such as local wildlife, stream ecology, weather and climate, botany, air quality and tree identification. These guided programs are available at a cost of $5.00 per student, with no cost for adults or parking.

Our Terrific Trees program for first graders and our Down and Dirty with Soil program for third graders are available free of cost. Schools visiting for a self-led academic activity may do so free of charge when registering 10 days prior. Seasonal rotating indoor exhibits also include additional guided programs.

The Arboretum is also able to offer our programs at your school, utilizing your classrooms and school yard. These programs are offered at a cost of $2.00 per student and last up to an hour and a half. To schedule a program contact Jonathan Marchal, Youth Education Coordinator, at (828) 665-2492 ext. 228. For course descriptions and policies visit http://www.ncarboretum.org

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