Peoria Park District Environmental Education Programs brochure
Education Programs at the Garden
Luthy Botanical Garden has a great lineup of educational programming to offer you and your students. We have matched our programs with the Illinois State Goals for science to facilitate learning and enhance your science curriculum. Our programs are geared for grades preschool through 12. There is something for everyone!
Groups are asked to have a minimum of ten participants (max.75), and fees start at $1.50 per participant. Costs are based on number of participants, type of class needed and whether or not the program is on or off site.
We feel that the programs listed below (along with the state standards they can fulfull) significantly contribute to students' understanding and appreciation of plants and the outdoors. Please call us at (309) 681-3502 to register or for answers to any questions you may have. We can't wait to see you at the Garden!
Twice the Experience
Luthy Botanical Garden and the Peoria Zoo are neighbors, within Glen Oak Park. For Teachers and Educators this can be a great opportunity to give students a better understanding of the natural world. Enhance the experience and schedule programs at both locations with lunch at the Zambesi Lodge or historic Glen Oak Park. Check out the education programs at the Garden, below, and those offered at the Zoo. http://www.peoriazoo.org/zooclasses.
Give us a call at 681.3502.
Intro to Plants
This basic plant program is designed for pre-school through second grade and discusses the parts of a plant, what a plant needs to grow, and the many products we use from plants. Your students are going to enjoy this class with its hands-on experience and great stories. (11.A.1a, 12.A.1a, 12.A.2a, 12.A.1b, 12.A.2b, 12.A.3c, 12.B.1b, 12.B.2b)
Nature's Kitchen
New in 2009, Nature's Kitchen is a course that will stimulate the senses. This grade school (First through Sixth) program has been created to help students form a better understanding of where food seen on store shelves comes from. Using food to define connections with nature, we clarify the relationships between nature and a child's daily life. Explore harvesting techniques, taste natural versus unnatural sugar, and smell different herbs that can be used in multiple ways. (12.A.1a, 12.B.1a, 12.B.1b, 12.C.1a, 12.E.2c)
Rainforest versus the Desert Program
Especially suited for our Tropical Conservatory, this program focuses on comparing the rainforest to the desert. This class is perfect for grade-school aged children. They will learn the differences between the two biomes and what makes each so special. We also explore why both, the rainforest and desert, are vital components of the earth. (12.B.1a, 12.B.1b, 12.B.2a, 12.E.1c)
Terrarium Program
Our most popular program both on and off site, the terrarium program is designed for grades 2-7. During our time, we discuss biomes, the rain cycle, and various plant processes before each student constructs a terrarium of his or her very own to take home. We supply all the materials necessary for the workings of the terrarium, but groups need to supply one two-liter bottle for each student. (11.A.1a, 11.B.2c, 12.A.2a, 12.A.3a, 12.A.3c, 12.B.1a, 12.B.2a, 12.B.1b, 12.B.4b, 12.E.2a, 13.B.1e)
Garden, Greenhouse and Conservatory Tours
These tours are designed for students of all ages. The Greenhouse and Conservatory tour takes classes behind the scenes at Luthy, where they will learn how we get ready for our formal garden shows. The Garden tour is weather permitting and takes classes through our five-acre facility. During the tour, we will explore many different types of gardens and learn about some of the great critters that have taken up residency at our Garden. (11.A.1a, 12.B.4a, 12.B.5a, 12.B.1b, 12.B.2b, 13.A.1c)
Garden Scavenger Hunt
The scavenger hunt is the newest addition to Luthy’s program line-up. The hunt can take place both indoors and outdoors at our five-acre facility. The program has been designed to be used with larger tour groups and can be paired with any of our other programs. The hunt will lead groups around the entire Garden while learning about the special gardens and some of their neat features. (11.A.1a, 11.A.1f, 11.A.2e, 12.A.1a, 12.A.2a, 12.B.1a, 12.B.1a, 12.B.1b, 12.B.2b, 12B.3b, 12.C.1a)