Schools

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

Confucius - Chinese philosopher & reformer (551 BC - 479 BC)  

Hands-On Field Excursions

All hands-on classes are closely aligned to the Performance Indicator, "The Living Environment", in the New York State Science Standards for Elementary Level Students.  Reservations are necessary and must be booked 4 weeks in advance.

Plants We Eat - Grades K-2

Group size required: 24-60 students divided into 4 equal sub-groups
Cost:  $5.00 per participating student
Adult ratio required: 1 adult to 10 students; these adults receive complimentary admission.
Additional adults are required to pay regular or show admission prices.

Students will build understanding of the nutritional value of the plants we eat as they chop vegetables, squeeze oranges, grate lemon peel and grind wheat berries to make flour.  Sub-groups will also experience a mini tour of the Gardens in addition to their rotations through the vegetable, fruit and grain stations. 

Vegetable Station - students will work together to identify the part of the plant that is represented by the vegetable.

Fruit Station - students will build an understanding of how flowering plants produce fruit as a result of pollination and how the fruit protects the baby seed and aids in its dispersal.

Grain Station - students will be introduced to the importance of grains in our daily diet.

Plants We Grow - Grades 3-5

Group size required: 24-60 students divided into 4 equal sub-groups
Cost: $5.00 per participating student
Adult ratio required: 1 adult to 10 students; these adults receive complimentary admission.
Additional adults are required to pay regular or show admission prices.

Students will build an understanding of the specific jobs of the parts of the plant as they dissect flowers, propagate plants and complete a plant part identity challenge game.

Plant Part Identity Challenge Station - students will work together to identify the parts of the plant various foods represent.    

Propagation station - students will learn how to propagate plants through leaf and stem cuttings as they fashion a cuttings tray to take back to the classroom for later planting.

Flower Parts station - students will be introduced to the purposes of the parts of a flower as they dissect it.

Terrarium and Mini Tour - Grades K-5

Group size required: 6-23 students divided into 2 equal sub-groups
Cost: $5.00 per participating student
Adult ratio required: 1 adult to 10 students; these adults receive complimentary admission.
Additional adults are required to pay regular or show admission prices.

Students will create individual terrariums (gardens in a sealed plastic container) to take back to the classroom.  They will build an understanding of the parts of the plant and of the water cycle through this activity. They will also experience a mini tour of the Gardens and build an understanding of their role as faithful stewards of our plant, Earth.

Desert Dish Garden and Mini Tour - Grades K-5

Group size required: 6-23 students divided into 2 equal sub-groups
Cost: $5.00/participating student
Adult ratio required: 1 adult to 10 students; These adults receive complimentary admission. 
Additional adults are required to pay regular or show admission prices.

Students will create individual desert dish gardens to take back to the classroom. They will build an understanding of the desert biome and the adaptations plants have assumed to survive in their harsh environment. 

Exploration Earth - Grades 6-8

Group size required: 24-30 students divided into 3 equal sub groups
Cost:  $5.00 per participating student
Adult ratio required: 1 adult to 10 students; these adults receive complimentary admission. 
Additional adults are required to pay regular or show admission prices.

Students will build an understanding of the critical responsibility they have to be faithful stewards of our planet as they experience two of the following four 30 minute hands-on lessons, (as chosen by their teacher ) as well as a mini tour of the Gardens.

Natural Resources Station - students will build an understanding of how humans depend on natural resources for survival.

Ecosystem Energy Flow Station - student will build an understanding of energy flow within ecosystems.

What is in the Water? Station - students will build an understanding of the water cycle, water pollution, and conservation.

Intense Energy Station - students will build an understanding of the law of conservation of energy and transformations of energy.

Please contact our Education Department to make your reservations today!
716.827.1584 ext. 291 - lwieser@buffalogardens.com