Education

Teacher Programs

Summer Programs

FULL Garden Camp for Teachers III: Ecosystem Studies Summer Institute
June 28 – June 30 & September 25
at the Chicago Botanic Garden in the Fairchild Room
July 1 & 2 at Openlands Lakeshore Preserve
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $225

Grade level: PreK-12
CPDU credit: 45, Lane credit: 3, Graduate credit: 3

The Chicago Botanic Garden and Openlands are excited to offer this outdoor weeklong summer institute that focuses on the native plants and animals that make up ecosystems of Illinois. More specifically, we will discuss the interactions of native and invasive organisms in woodland, prairie, and ravine ecosystems. This institute will prepare you to explain issues of biodiversity, adaptation, and interdependence. Reduced fees may be available for underserved districts, pending funding.

New! Climate Change Workshop: Middle School
July 7 & 8 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in the Fairchild Room
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $150 ($140 for Educator Members)

Grade level: 4-8
CPDU credit: 15, Lane credit: 1, Graduate credit: 1

This two-day workshop introduces a new climate change science curriculum developed by the Chicago Botanic Garden. It covers the differences between weather and climate, introduces earth systems and how they are changing, and identifies the impacts of those changes on ecosystems. Connections between climate and ecosystems will be illustrated through plant adaptations, measuring and monitoring changes in plant life-cycle events, and exploring how climate has historically impacted civilizations. Learn how you and your students can contribute to a national research project on climate change by participating in Project BudBurst. Five weeks of curriculum and materials are provided.

FULL - Garden Camp for Teachers I: Botany Basics Summer Institute
July 12 – 14 at the Garfield Park Conservatory
July 15 – 16 & October 2 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in the Fairchild Room
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $225

Grade level: PreK-12
CPDU credit: 45, Lane credit: 3, Graduate credit: 3

The Chicago Botanic Garden and Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance present this popular weeklong, hands-on institute focused on plant fundamentals and the plant life cycle. Learn how plants function, adapt, and interact with their environment; then incorporate active plant-related activities into subjects across the curriculum. Reduced fees may be available for underserved districts, pending funding.

FULL - Earth Partnership for Schools (EPS) Summer Institute
July 26 – 30 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in the Fairchild Room
December 11 at Ryerson Woods
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $225

Grade level: K-12
CPDU credit: 45, Lane credit: 3, Graduate credit: 3

We invite dedicated teacher teams of three or more to apply for this outdoor, hands-on institute. Teams are trained to facilitate ecological restoration programs within their classroom, leading up to a schoolyard native plant landscape project. As part of the program, participants will receive more than 30 cross-curricular lesson plans aligned with state standards. Teachers will also build a working partnership with the education staff from the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, the Lake County Forest Preserves, and the McHenry County Conservation District. Reduced fees may be available for some districts, pending funding. Please note that individual teachers cannot register for this institute. If interested in the institute, teachers must recruit colleagues and register as a school team to ensure the success of the schoolyard project. Teams can be made up of teachers, administrators, and school board members. Teams must have the support of the school administrator and each team is required to send a signed administrator letter to Chicago Botanic Garden, Attn: Teacher Programs, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL, 60022. Call (847) 835-8253 with any questions regarding registration policies.

New! Climate Change Workshop: high school
August 4 & 5 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in the Fairchild Room
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $150 ($140 for Educator Members)

Grade level: 9-12
CPDU credit: 15, Lane credit: 1, Graduate credit: 1

This two-day workshop introduces a new climate change science curriculum developed by the Chicago Botanic Garden for grades 10-12. Content will cover biochemical cycles including the carbon cycle, carbon sequestration, land cover, and ecosystem change. Learn how to delineate present conditions and historical changes using GIS technology. Explore how changing climates impact economic, social, political, and societal conditions and what it means to become a sustainable society. You and your students can contribute to a national research project on climate change by participating in Project BudBurst. Five weeks of curriculum and materials are provided.

FULL - Small Hands in the Garden: A Workshop for Early Intervention Providers
August 11 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in the Fairchild Room
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $75

Grade level: Birth-PreK
CPDU credit: 7, Early Intervention credit: 6, Lane credit: NA, Graduate credit: NA

Join us for a fun-filled day open to anyone who works with infants and toddlers. This workshop will focus on the importance of introducing nature to our youngest explorers. Participating in hands-on learning “stations” will inspire you to incorporate nature into your daily routine. This class is designed for persons who work with infants to three-year-olds, and is adaptable for those who work with preK children.