Youth Programs at Powell Gardens

Nature's Neighborhoods (Kindergarten)

Why are squirrels often found in woodlands? Why are spring peepers always near small, forested ponds in spring? Why are antlions always in loose soil? These are among many of the questions in nature students
will discover answers to.

This program takes students through our 170 acres of cultivated and natural landscapes to discover the relationships between the needs of different plants and animals and the places they live. Students will use their five senses to discover the natural world during this 90-minute nature walk.

Observational naturalist tools are used during this experience.

Goal
Students will learn that plants and animals have unique needs and those needs influence
where plants and animals live/survive.

Standard: K.ESS3.A.1
Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.

Creature Features (First Grade)

Which flying insects use straws to drink in nature? Which Missouri amphibian is the local version of the chameleon? Why do seeds have parachutes? Students discover answers to these questions and explore
many other examples of biomimicry in our 170 acres of cultivated and natural landscapes.

By the end of this 90-minute program, students will have brainstormed solutions to human problems by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet
their needs. Field notebooks and other observational naturalist tools are used in this experience.

Goal
Students will learn about the unique characteristics of plants and animals and use those traits to solve challenges and problems in our lives.

Standards: 1.LS1.A.1
Use materials to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs.

Dirty Jobs: Pollinators in Play (Second Grade)

Why could one argue that squirrels are better gardeners than us? Why is poison ivy actually a good plant to have on your property? Why do seeds come in all shapes and sizes? Bring your students to Powell Gardens to find out answers to these questions and many more related to plant pollination and seed dispersal.

This 90-minute program takes students on a journey during which they learn ways insects pollinate flowers and seeds are dispersed. Students will become pollinating bees, investigate pollinators in the garden, and mimic seed dispersing behaviors. Field notebooks and other observational naturalist
tools are used in this experience.

Goal
Students will learn how plants and animals have unique relationships that help accomplish plant pollination and seed dispersal.

Standards: 2.LS2.A.2
Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants.

Nature's Transformers (Third Grade)

Have you ever seen a banana tree growing bananas? Do you know what a pollywog is? What is the inside of a caterpillar’s chrysalis like before emerging as a beautiful butterfly? All species of plants and animals have life cycles — many of them are similar but many more are so unique they are hard to believe.

Bring your students to Powell Gardens to investigate the life cycles of some of the resident plants and animals in our 170 acres of cultivated and natural landscapes during this 90-minute program. Students will take home their own plants to complete the life cycle, from seed to harvest. Field notebooks and other observational tools are used in this experience.

Goal
Students will gain understanding that all animals and plants have life cycles even though some may look
different than others, take different amounts of time to occur, and have differing numbers of stages.

Standards: 3.LS1.B.1
Develop a model to compare and contrast observations on the life cycle of different plants and animals.

The Buzz on Bees (Fourth Grade)

Why do flowers have colors and designs we cannot see? Why does a caterpillar inflate part of its body when it is touched? How can birds fly without flapping their wings? Bring your students to Powell
Gardens to discover answers to these questions and learn about many more fascinating plant and animal structures.

During this 90-minute school program, students will conduct an experiment involving bees, pollination, and flower designs. By the end of the program, students will have formulated an evidence-based conclusion regarding how flower structures function to support survival and plant reproduction. Field notebooks and other observational naturalist tools are used in this experience.

Goal
Students will improve their understanding of how animals and plants use their internal and external
structures to survive and reproduce.

Standards: 4.LS1.A.1
Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to
support survival, growth, behavior, and plant reproduction.

Life InGRAINed (Fifth Grade)

From where does a tree get its mass (it’s not from where you likely think it is)? Matter is cycled, but how is the energy lost? Bring your students to Powell Gardens to discover answers to these and many more plant life cycle questions.

During this 90-minute school program, students will engage in hands-on investigation and exploration to determine what plants need to grow and where the plants get what they need to survive. Students will go full circle with the plant life cycle to gain understanding of how matter is cycled and energy is acquired to produce edible fruits and vegetables. Students will investigate seeds, produce, and tree cookies during hands-on lessons. Field notebooks and other observational tools are used in this experience.

Goal
Students will gain an understanding of the process of how matter and energy are part of the growing processes in our gardens.

Standards
5. PS3.D.1
Use models to describe how energy stored in food (used for body repair, growth, motion, and to maintain body warmth) was once energy from the sun.

5. LS1.C.1
Support an argument that plants get the materials (i.e. carbon dioxide, water, sunlight) they need for growth chiefly from air and water.

5. LS2.B.1
Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the
environment.

The Booking Process

To reserve a guided field trip, please request a lesson plan and date using the online reservation system. You will be asked to select the program start time, the number of children attending, and the type of program. The email address provided will be used to provide updates leading up to the program. All programs are 90 minutes in length and begin at the time you select in the reservation system. Please select a start time of either 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. Groups may enjoy the Gardens after the 90-minute guided program is completed.

Interested in custom options? Powell Gardens staff can work with your group to design a program applicable to your students’ grade levels.

Guided Field Trip Program Fees

Students – $8
Chaperones – $12
Teachers/Staff – Free

Schedule a Guided Field Trip

*All field trip requests are considered tentative until confirmed via email. Your group will be sent an invoice once the field trip details are confirmed.

Homeschool Groups

Powell Gardens is happy to create a customized visit for your homeschool group. A minimum of 10 students is required for a guided program. One adult receives free admission for every 10 students. Please submit a reservation request form to get in contact with our education department about your visit.

*All program requests are considered tentative until confirmed via email. Your group will be sent an invoice once the field trip details are confirmed.

About Self-Guided Field Trips

Schools wanting to bring a group of students to the Gardens who are not reserving a guided field trip are expected to schedule a self-guided field trip by filling in the self-guided visit form. The number of school groups in the Gardens is closely managed because group spaces are limited.

One adult for every ten children is required on self-guided visits. Powell Gardens’ self-guided tours include Adventure Packs, which include scavenger hunts, tree identification kits, and other resources to make your visit fun and educational! Teachers receive free admission and space is provided to store lunch bags for the day.

Self-Guided Field Trip Fees

Students – $6
Parents – $12
Teachers – Free

To reserve a self-guided group visit, please complete the group visit request form. Please select a preferred and alternate date and time, provide the number of attendees, and include your contact information. 

Schedule a Self-Guided Field Trip

*All reservation requests are considered tentative until confirmed via email. We currently do not have group rates.

Chaperone Guidelines

All guided and self-guided school groups require one chaperone for every ten students (teachers may serve as chaperones).

Groups of children ages four and younger (day care centers etc.) require one adult for every five children. We require chaperone assistance with guided and self-guided tours. Please remember the tour is for the students’ needs first and foremost.

The role of a chaperone is to ensure that groups display proper etiquette and ALWAYS respect the gardens while on property. Chaperones help students focus on a guided tour, respect the tour guides, and ensure students follow directions of the tour guide. There may be other groups visiting the garden at the same time. It is very important to remind students to walk, not yell, trample or pick plants, fruits, or vegetables, throw things, pick up their lunch trash, and stay with the group.

Chaperones are required to always stay with their assigned students’ groups (regardless of age), to help the groups stay on schedule, and enforce respectful behavior. If your group is broken into smaller groups with different activities, set a time and location to meet before switching activities.

Chaperones, please silence your cellphone and refrain from spending time on your phone while on a guided tour. Gardens are a place for people to find peace and serenity—please use quiet voices.

Photos are permitted of any garden area while you are in the gardens, and you are encouraged to share on social media and tag Powell Gardens (check with your school group lead teacher about the school’s photo policy).

Powell Gardens reserves the right to dismiss any group or guest who cannot follow garden etiquette or is being unruly, disruptive, or disrespectful.

Please share with students (and help enforce) the following garden guidelines:

• Gardens are for looking and enjoying—please do not pick or collect plants unless INSTRUCTED
  by a tour guide or staff member.
• Safety comes first—please walk, don’t run, wherever you go.
• Respect our plant life by always staying on paths and out of garden beds. Even areas which
  appear to be bare may have newly planted seeds.
• Chaperones must ensure students access the stairs at the silo area safely.

Please remind students and chaperones to dress for the anticipated weather. Hats, sunscreen, bug spray, jackets (for rain), and closed toe shoes for walking are encouraged.