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PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Plantmobile and Garden Field Trips

Immersive Learning for the Next Generation of Gardeners

Hands-on plant science, rooted in your classroom or ours! Inspire the next generation of gardeners, scientists, and environmental stewards with expert-led, curriculum-aligned programs at your school, library, after-school program or the Garden at Elm Bank!

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Plantmobile
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR

MetroWest Schools and Organizations

Thanks to the generous support of the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation, we are offering free Plantmobile programming for eligible schools and community organizations in the MetroWest area. We encourage interested schools and organizations to apply early as grant-funded Plantmobile sessions are available on a first come first serve basis until funding is fully allocated

Questions about eligibility, programming options, or scheduling? Reach out to education@masshort.org. 

Apply for a Grant-Funded Plantmobile Session

Curriculum Offerings

Explore our Plantmobile and Garden Field Trip lesson plans.

Plant Parts & Functions

Grades PreK-5th
Students will discover and explore the different parts of a plant and the functions they serve. Through age-appropriate activities, each child will learn to recognize these body parts in familiar and new plants they observe in their own life. As the students get older, they will learn how these body parts help the plant interact with the Earth and other living organisms.
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Pollination

Grades PreK, K, 1, 2, 3, 5
Using pollinators as our guide, students will discover the hidden relationships in the natural world around them. Students will learn the parts of a flower and the flower's needs, while simultaneously learning about the special body parts pollinators have to meet their needs and meet the flowers' needs. The focus of these lessons is on interdependency, specialized body parts, and the health and life cycle of both plants and pollinators.
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Ecosystems

Grades PreK, K, 2, 3, 5
Beginning with Prek, students will learn what an ecosystem is and what types of ecosystems exist in our world today. As the students get older, we focus on specific ecosystems present in Massachusetts and New England. Through mapping, plant identification, observing relationships, and physical experimenting, students will learn how to identify an ecosystem and the living beings who call that ecosystem home.
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Digging Deeper - Soil & Decomposers

Grades PreK, K, 2, 4, 5
What is living beneath our feet? In this unit, students will learn that soil is the home to many creatures big and small. The students will discover through inquiry and experimenting, why and how soil is so important to not only humans, but the entirety of our planet. In grade 4, students will contemplate big topics like erosion and land formation through experimenting and modeling, while in grade 5, students will utilize a real worm bin and design compost projects to implement at school or at home.
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Farm Fresh

Grades PreK, K, 1, 2, 5
Where does our food come from? How did it get here? In this unit, students will explore the many facets of agriculture and the food we eat every day. The younger grades will make connections to plant parts and inherited traits, while older grades will tinker with ways to improve our agricultural systems and make connections to the history of New England farming.
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Weather & Climate

Grades PreK, K, 1, 3, 5
Weather is one of the most important aspects to a plant's life. Students will learn to predict, measure, and analyze weather in their gardens or at their school. We will make connections to climate zones and identify which plants can grow in what types of climates, thus creating unique ecosystems. In grade 5, students will learn about our changing climate, how that affects the plants we grow (and eat!) and tinker with solutions to this problem.
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Botanical Art

Grades 1-5
Massachusetts Horticultural Society houses one of the largest collections of botanical art and illustrations in North America. Starting in 1829, the Society has educated people on the art of Botanical Illustration through art shows, libraries, and classes. Students will learn the history of botanical art, the science behind it, and get a chance to create their own plant-focused masterpiece.
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Natural Dyes & Fabrics

Offered to grades PreK-5th
North America has a rich history of natural dyes and fabrics throughout the many cultures that have called this place home. Students will learn about native plants used to create clothing, art, and dyes while diving deep into the original techniques for creating art and objects from plants. Through demonstration and experimenting, students will create their own naturally dyed works of art.
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Self-Guided Garden Tour

Any Grade
Enjoy the Garden at Elm Bank at your own pace, groups can explore the gardens, picnic, and walk the woodland trails along the Charles River. Develop your own activities, sketch, or create a nature journal during your visit.
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Discover the Charles River

Any Grade
Take a walk in any season to see what grows and lives in our native woods and waterways. Discover how we benefit from the Charles River and the importance it plays in our day to day lives.
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Community Events & Conferences

Our Plantmobile provides a gardening experience everywhere we go! Promote plant science to educators, staff members, and neighbors for an interactive tabling session.

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Pricing

Single Session

Capacity: 25 students max.
Length: 60 minutes
Session fee: $175
Round-Trip Mileage: Current IRS Rates

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Multiple Sessions

3-Session Bundle: $500
Between-Session Break: $50/hour
Round-Trip Mileage: Current IRS Rates

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Contact the Plantmobile

Get answers to your Plantmobile by contacting our education team today!

 

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