The Conservatory is not only a great place for students to learn and experience something unique. When it comes to incorporating plants into classroom curriculum, it’s also home to a wealth of resources for teachers and other educators. There are endless possibilities for meaningful connections in science, ecology, gardening and greening, math, geography, history and art.

Remember, the Conservatory is free, so teachers are always welcome to visit and collect ideas for a field trip or classroom lesson. For teachers who want the opportunity to talk with our trained educational staff in a more structured setting, we also offer a variety of ways to access the knowledge and resources of our staff.

(photo) An eager Garden Camp participant wheels supplies to a compost mulching workshop at the Conservatory.

KNOW-BEFORE-YOU-GO Open House For Teachers At the Conservatory            

Stop by and visit with our staff about the Conservatory and its resources, try out some of our tools for schools and groups, and get a tour of the Conservatory or a focus area of the Conservatory.

One CPDU will be awarded for each hour a teacher participates. (Teachers will be asked to sign in and out to verify time spent with us.) Beverages and light snacks will be provided.

For more information or to register for one of these Teacher Open Houses, please contact Melanie Harding at (773) 638-1766 x16 or mharding@garfieldpark.org.

No Teacher Open Houses are scheduled at this time. Please check back again.

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Garden Camp for Teachers                            

Once again, Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance and Chicago Botanic Garden have teamed up to present this week-long, hands-on experience for teachers. Garden Camp immerses teachers and other educators in plant-based learning and prepares them to incorporate relevant plant activities across their curriculum. Spend a week with us learning the basics – plant parts and functions, ecosystems, adaptations, urban ecology and basic soil science – and leave with a wealth of ideas about how to include plants in your science, math, arts, language, and social studies lessons. This workshop empowers educators to do plant-based activities using everyday materials and to conduct meaningful explorations in their gardens and schoolyards. Participants need not have access to a school garden or natural area to benefit from this training.  

Each day of training will take place at either Garfield Park Conservatory or Chicago Botanic Garden. Participants will earn 48 CPDU’s, 3 Lane Credits, or 3 graduate credits (to be awarded upon completion of the entire program.)  

Dates: This Garden Camp is fully booked. Please check back for the dates of the next Garden Camp. 

Cost: $225 per person
(Reduced rates may be available for teachers in underserved communities. Funding is pending - please inquire with us about the status of possible financial assistance.)

For more information about Garden Camp or registration details please contact:

Teacher Trainings                          

Growing Great Teachers: Conservatory Classes for Educators – NEW!

The greening movement is growing and now teachers have even more opportunities to learn how to green up their curriculum and classrooms. The content of each Conservatory teacher training will focus on particular grade levels and standards, but teachers at all levels are welcome to attend. Botanical information, hands-on activities and explorations, and greening resources included in every workshop.

To register for one of these workshops, please contact: Melanie Harding, School, Teacher & Volunteer Program Manager at (773)638-1766 x16 or mharding@garfieldpark.org.    

Our Plant Providers: Food, Photosynthesis and Feeling Fine!

Saturday, November 13

Hours: 9 am – 3 pm

Cost: $85 Focus: 5th-8th grade  

Have you thanked a plant today? Join us for a new perspective on how green plants provide us with the food, breathable air, fiber, fuel, medicine and building materials we rely on every day. We’ll spend a good portion of this training exploring the process of photosynthesis and how it provides us with most of the essentials of life, plus a whole lot of life’s enjoyable things!  CPDU’s available.    

Teas, Sweets & Tropical Treats: The Science & Culture of Edible Plants

Saturday, January 22, 2011 at the Garfield Park Conservatory

Saturday, January 29, 2011 at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Cost: $150 Focus: K-12th grade  

See, first hand, how chocolate, vanilla, ginger, sugar cane and other tropical treats grow, and learn how we have used them for centuries to enhance our lives and tickle our taste buds! This is a 2-day class hosted by the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance and the Chicago Botanic Garden.  CPDU’s, Lane Credit or Graduate Credit available.    

Math Along the Garden Path

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Hours: 9 am – 3 pm

Cost: $85

Focus: PreK-1st grade  

The garden and greenhouse, as well as the schoolyard and backyard, hold so much potential for getting early learners started on the development of important mathematical skills. We will be using the Conservatory’s indoor and outdoor gardens to explore ways that teachers can practice early math skills like sorting, counting, comparing, pattern recognition and development, shape manipulation and simple graphing with their students.  CPDU’s available.