Students will uncover how plants and other natural materials have been used for centuries to create beautiful dyes. They’ll craft a one-of-a-kind bookmark using natural pigments, then head out into the garden on a colorful scavenger hunt to find plants that can be turned into vibrant, eco-friendly dyes. It’s hands-on creativity inspired by the garden itself!

Through a fun, interactive game, students will discover the incredible journey of monarch butterflies and the many obstacles they face along the way. They’ll step into the wings of a monarch to experience firsthand the challenges of migration and gain a deeper understanding of how we can help protect these amazing pollinators.

Students will dive into the world of pumpkins as they investigate these fall favorites up close. They’ll explore the pumpkin life cycle—from tiny seed to giant gourd—and discover what all plants need to grow and thrive. It’s a hands-on look at nature’s circle of life, pumpkin-style!

Unearth the Past! Fossils hold secrets about how our land has changed through time. Students will journey back millions of years to discover the ancient story of White Rock Lake and the fascinating creatures that once called this area home. They’ll even create their own fossil to take home—a hands-on reminder of their adventure through prehistoric Texas!

In this hands-on lesson, students will discover how electrical energy flows through a circuit to power the world around us. Then, they’ll put their knowledge to the test as they explore the Holiday at the Arboretum, searching for hidden ways electricity brings the wonder to life!

Learners will explore the science behind water-based growing, investigate the nutrients plants need, and experiment with designing their own simple hydroponic setups. It’s a fun way to see sustainable gardening in action—and spark ideas for growing food anywhere!

In this hand-on lesson, students will learn how urbanization affects animal populations around the world—from elephants in India to mountain lions in Los Angeles. Using real-world examples, students will take on the role of engineers to design creative solutions that help wildlife safely navigate cities and neighborhoods. Together, they’ll explore how humans and animals can share space in a sustainable way.

What environmental factors and landscape design choices must our horticulture staff consider when designing our seasonal plantings? In this multi-disciplinary lab, students work with actual Arboretum plant lists and design notes to create a landscape in the garden. Follow up the class with a visit to the space students just designed!

Students will become young scientists as they uncover the hidden colors inside everyday markers and plants. Through fun, hands-on experiments, they’ll learn how chromatography separates different pigments—revealing the science behind colors we see (and some we don’t!). It’s a creative, colorful adventure perfect for curious minds!

The Arboretum is home to hundreds of plant and animal species, including many bugs! In this program, students identify ‘bug’ as an informal name given to terrestrial arthropods and observe live organisms to identify the traits that make insects different from other arthropods. Students look closely at various arthropod adaptations that support survival in different environments and investigate the unique life cycles of different organisms.