Education

Looking for a way to share your enthusiasm and knowledge of plants and nature?  Opportunities abound!

• Tour Docents
  • Do you enjoy working with students, answering questions and engaging young people in discussions about plants?  Docents walk with school groups through the showrooms, focusing on the Conservatory’s rain forest and desert collections. Docents also provide tours for Diverse Learners, adults, garden clubs and other interested groups.
  • Time commitment: 1 ½ hours per tour, as scheduled
    
    
• Wednesday morning Story Time
  • Share your love of books with children outside in our beautiful Discovery Garden or inside in the Rubinstein Room! Weekly readers will lead groups in stories and songs. This program runs outside during the warmer months and moves indoors during the winter months and during inclement weather.
  • Time commitment: 1 hour on Wednesdays.  Programs run at 10am
    
    
• Exploration Kits
  • We are offering Exploration kits to all the first grade classes in District #97. There will be opportunities in the fall to collect materials and deliver to private schools, in the winter to assemble kits, and in the spring deliver, pick-up, and replenish the kits.
  • Time commitment: Varies
    
    
• Toddler Exploration Time
  • This program runs on the 3rd Friday of every month, September through May (no December) from 9:30-10:15am and again from 10:45-11:30am. Each session welcomes children18 months to 5 years old. Toddlers and their caregivers will experience nature through a story, hands-on activity, and a trip through one of the Conservatory showrooms.
  • Time commitment: 1 ½ hours on Fridays. Programs run the 3rd Friday September-November and January-May

• Discovery Garden Exploration Time
  
  • Tuesdays in June, July, August our education volunteers offer hands-on nature-themed activities outside in our Discovery Garden. Participants learn about native Illinois Ecosystems and have fun playing in the garden.
  • Time commitment: 2 hours on Tuesdays.  Programs run at 10am