Using their five senses as a guide, students discover the array of colors, noises, scents, and textures that make up the plant world. From a search for smells to a sound mystery, students strengthen their detection skills and uncover the sensory characteristics associated with several features of The Gardens.Availability: May - October
Grade: Preschool & Kindergarten

Colorado Academic Standards addressed:
•Preschool: Life Science 1.1
•Kindergarten: Life Science 2.1

Students learn why leaves change color and why they are important to plants by searching The Gardens for leaves of all shapes, sizes, and color. This fall journey concludes with a visit to the Straw Bale Maze and Pumpkin Patch! Availability: September - October
Grades: Preschool - Grade 3
Colorado Academic Standards addressed:
•Preschool: Life Science 1.1 & 1.2
•Kindergarten: Life Science 2.1; Earth Science 3.1
•1st Grade: Life Science 2.2
•2nd Grade: Life Science 2.1 & 2.2; Earth Science 3.1
•3rd Grade: Life Science 2.1

Take your students on a plant adventure! Through hands-on activities, students discover plant diversity at The Gardens, explore a plant’s life cycle from small seed to tasty vegetable, and have opportunities to observe bee pollination in action. This pack includes materials for a seed growing activity to help you continue your plant investigation in the classroom. Availability: May - September
Grade: Preschool - Grade 3
Colorado Academic Standards addressed:
•Preschool: Life Science 1.1 & 1.2
•Kindergarten: Life Science 2.1; Earth Science 3.1
•1st Grade: Life Science 2.1 and 2.2
•2nd Grade: Life Science 2.1 & 2.2
•3rd Grade: Life Science 2.1

Did you know that frogs use their eyeballs to swallow? Or that they eat their own skin? Discover the answers to these questions and many more as students search for live frogs in their natural habitat. Guided by materials such as binoculars, webbed gloves, and an interpretive model of the frog life cycle, this program imparts important lessons such as life cycles, adaptations, and communication.

Availability: May – September

Grades: Preschool – Grade 3

Colorado Academic Standards addressed:

Preschool: Life Science 1.1
Kindergarten: Life Science 2.1
1st Grade: Life Science 2.1 and 2.2
2nd Grade: Life Science 2.1 & 2.2
3rd Grade: Life Science 2.1

Have you ever wondered what Dr. Seuss had to say about trees? Choose this in“tree”active journey to find out! Exploring real tree specimens and products from trees, your students will discover the basics of tree anatomy and gain an understanding of the important role that trees play in our everyday lives. Availability: April - October
Grade: Grades 2 and up
Colorado Academic Standards addressed:
•2nd Grade: Life Science 2.1 & 2.2
•3rd Grade: Life Science 2.1
•4th Grade: Life Science 2.3
•5th Grade: Life Science 2.1; Earth Science 3.1

Examine various animal habitats and adaptations to uncover why wildlife seek refuge and how they survive in the ‘secret spaces’ of an urban habitat.Availability: April - October
Grade: Kindergarten - Grade 4
Colorado Academic Standards addressed:
•Kindergarten: Life Science 2.1
•1st Grade: Life Science 2.2
•2nd Grade: Life Science 2.1
•3rd Grade: Life Science 2.1
•4th Grade: Life Science 2.3

Students always love a good old-fashioned scavenger hunt! The Nature Hunt will encourage students to discover the hidden sights, sounds, and scents of the Gardens’ plants and wildlife in every season.Availability: Year-round
Grade: Kindergarten - Grade 5
Colorado Academic Standards addressed:
•Kindergarten: Life Science 2.1
•1st Grade: Life Science 2.2
•2nd Grade: Life Science 2.2
•3rd Grade: Life Science 2.1