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The Conservatory is not only a great place for students to learn and experience something unique. When it comes to incorporating plants into classroom curriculum, it’s also home to a wealth of resources for teachers and other educators. There are endless possibilities for meaningful connections in science, ecology, gardening and greening, math, geography, history and art. Remember, the Conservatory is free, so teachers are always welcome to visit and collect ideas for a field trip or classroom lesson. For teachers who want the opportunity to talk with our trained educational staff in a more structured setting, we also offer a variety of ways to access the knowledge and resources of our staff.

 

 

(photo) An eager Garden Camp participant wheels supplies to a compost mulching workshop at the Conservatory.

  


KNOW-BEFORE-YOU-GO Open House For Teachers At the Conservatory            


 

Stop by and visit with our staff about the Conservatory and its resources, try out some of our tools for schools and groups, and get a tour of the Conservatory or a focus area of the Conservatory. One CPDU will be awarded for each hour a teacher participates. (Teachers will be asked to sign in and out to verify time spent with us.) Beverages and light snacks will be provided.

 

For more information or to register for one of these Teacher Open Houses, please contact Melanie Harding at (773) 638-1766 x16 or mharding@garfieldpark.org.

 

 

SPRING 2010: SUGAR FROM THE SUN

When: Wednesday, January 20

Time: 3:00 - 7:00 pm

Registration: Pre-registration required. Please let us know you’re coming!

 

In 2003, the Garfield Park Conservatory was awarded a 1.7 million dollar grant from the National Science Foundation to build a living exhibit that would open the eyes of everyday people to the life-sustaining process of photosynthesis. Sugar from the Sun opened in 2008 and was hailed as an extraordinary experience for people of all ages. This Know-Before-You-Go Open House will focus on Sugar from the Sun, but as usual, we will also provide information about the entire Conservatory and its programs and resources.

 

 

 

  Teacher Training Contact Information

 
 

Melanie Harding

School Teacher & Volunteer Program Manager

mharding@garfieldpark.org

(773) 638-1766 x16

 

Yadira Correa

School & Group Program Coordinator

correay@garfieldpark.org

(773) 638-1766 x25

  

 

 


Garden Camp for Teachers                            


 

Once again, Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance and Chicago Botanic Garden have teamed up to present this week-long, hands-on experience for teachers. Garden Camp immerses teachers and other educators in plant-based learning and prepares them to incorporate relevant plant activities across their curriculum. Spend a week with us learning the basics – plant parts and functions, ecosystems, adaptations, urban ecology and basic soil science – and leave with a wealth of ideas about how to include plants in your science, math, arts, language, and social studies lessons. This workshop empowers educators to do plant-based activities using everyday materials and to conduct meaningful explorations in their gardens and schoolyards. Participants need not have access to a school garden or natural area to benefit from this training.  

Each day of training will take place at either Garfield Park Conservatory or Chicago Botanic Garden. Participants will earn 48 CPDU’s, 3 Lane Credits, or 3 graduate credits (to be awarded upon completion of the entire program.)  

Dates: July 12-16, 2010; 8:30am – 4:30pm
(plus one Saturday training in Fall 2010 – date to be determined)  

Cost: $225 per person
(Reduced rates may be available for teachers in underserved communities. Funding is pending - please inquire with us about the status of possible financial assistance.)    

For more information about Garden Camp or details about how to register, please contact:  

Melanie Harding
School, Teacher & Volunteer Programs Manager
Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance
(773)638-1766 x16
mharding@garfieldpark.org  

 

or  

 

Eva Danon
Coordinator of Teacher Programs
Chicago Botanic Garden
(847)835-8253
edanon@chicagobotanic.org

 


TEACHER PAGE LINKS


Teacher Open Houses

Green Teacher Network

Green Teacher Network Brochure (PDF)

Garden Camp for Teachers

Field Trips for Schools & Groups


GROWING CONNECTION


 

School children in the US, Latin America, and Africa; helped by their families, teachers, gardeners, scientists, and leading businesses; unite in The Growing Connection to grow and learn about fresh food and to lead the fight against hunger and malnutrition at home and around the world.

  

 

Come visit the Garfield Park Conservatory’s outside Demonstration Garden, where you can see examples of the Growing Connection’s planted Earth Boxes. Demonstrations of how to use these Earth Boxes are scheduled for summer, as well as made available for purchase in our Gift Shop

 

The Growing Connection is a pilot project developed by the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (www.fao.org), the United States Committee for FAO and the American Horticultural Society (www.ahs.org) supported by a progressive coalition of private and public sector partners.

 

If you are interested in having your school become a part of the Growing Connection project, please contact the Growing Connection coordinator Amy McMillan at 1-202-653-2458, or email Amy.Chaffee@fao.org.