Bring outdoor learning to your classroom!
Boyce Thompson Arboretum classroom outreach brings outdoor learning to your school through S.T.E.A.M. units offering inquiry-based, engaging lessons that explore the world of plants as well as the phenomena of the Sonoran Desert. All lessons are aligned to Arizona State Science Standards. For more information and to request a booking, please see below.
Outreach Offerings
How Do Plants Grow | 2nd – 4th Grade
AZ Science Standards: 2.L2U1.9, 2.L2U1.10, 3.L1U1.5, 3.L1U1.6, 4.L4U1.11, 4.E1U3.9
Learn how plants grow and what they need to survive in this S.T.E.A.M. workshop. Students will then use their creativity and plant knowledge to grow their own plant from a seed and design their own plant.
Activities Breakdown:
- Activity 1: The Parts of a Plant
- Students will study live plants before using their new knowledge to design their own new plant species.
- Activity 2: What Do Plants Need to Grow?
- Students will conduct a scientific investigation and grow their own seeds in different conditions in order to discover what plants need to grow before playing a game of Plant Needs Jenga!
Time Needed: 1 hour
Max. Number of Students: 32 per class
Cost: $150 per class, FREE for schools within the Copper Corridor
Amazing Adaptations of the Sonoran Desert | 3rd – 5th Grade
AZ Science Standards: 3.L1U1.5, 3.L2U1.8, 4.L4U1.11, 4.E1U3.9, 5.L4U3.11, 5.L4U3.12
Students will act as junior biologists as they discover how different species are adapted to survive in the Sonoran Desert by studying real native plants and animal biofacts.
Activities Breakdown:
- Activity 1: Desert Plant Adaptations
- Students will study live plants and determine how well they are adapted to the Sonoran Desert before designing their own desert plant.
- Activity 2: Desert Animal Adaptations
- Students will study animal biofacts and learn about different species in order to determine how well they are adapted to the Sonoran Desert. They will then put their knowledge to the test with a game of Adaptations Bingo!
Time Needed: 1 hour
Max. Number of Students: 32 per class
Cost: $150 per class, FREE for schools within the Copper Corridor
Make a Pollinator Paradise | 1st – 3rd Grade
*Only available to Copper Corridor Schools
AZ Science Standards: 1.L2U2.7, 1.L2U1.8, 2.L2U1.9, 2.L2U1.10, 3.L1U1.5, 3.L2U1.8
In this S.T.E.A.M. lesson, students will let out their inner gardeners by designing and creating their dream school garden! This hands-on workshop will get classrooms started with an above-ground planter that can be used later on for classroom investigations. Classes will also receive supplies for a follow up activity once their garden has had some time to grow.
Activities Breakdown:
- Activity 1: How are Plants Pollinated?
- Students will create their own fuzzy bee to model pollination before playing a pollinator/ plant matching game.
- Activity 2: Let’s Get Planting!
- Students will help to design their garden before filling the planter with soil, putting in seeds, planting plants, and putting in different habitat elements for pollinators.
- Activity 3 (Post-activity): Who is Visiting Our Garden?
- Students will keep track of the pollinator species that they see visiting their garden.
Time Needed: 1.5 – 2 hours
Max. Number of Students: 32 per class
Cost: FREE for schools within the Copper Corridor
Make a Pollinator Paradise | 4th – 6th Grade
*Only available to Copper Corridor Schools
AZ Science Standards: 4.L4U1.11, 4.E1U3.9, 5.L4U3.11, 6.L2U1.13, 6.L2U1.14
In this S.T.E.A.M. lesson, students will let out their inner gardeners by designing and creating their dream school garden! This hands-on workshop will get classrooms started with an above-ground planter that can be used later on for classroom investigations. Classes will also receive supplies for a follow up activity once their garden has had some time to grow.
Activities Breakdown:
- Activity 1: How are Plants Pollinated?
- Students will play a pollinator/ plant matching game before creating their own flower craft complete with adaptions for one of the Arizona pollinator species.
- Activity 2: Let’s Get Planting!
- Students will help to design their garden before filling the planter with soil, putting in seeds, planting plants, and putting in different habitat elements for pollinators.
- Activity 3 (Post-activity): Who is Visiting Our Garden?
- Students will keep track of the pollinator species that they see visiting their garden.
Time Needed: 1.5 – 2 hours
Max. Number of Students: 32 per class
Cost: FREE for schools within the Copper Corridor
Schedule a program by clicking below. For questions, contact Boyce Thompson Arboretum Outreach Coordinator Annie Johnson at [email protected] or (520) 689-4689.
Supporting Education in the Copper Corridor
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Watch out for this dangerous cousin of the cucumber.
Gila manroot (Marah gilensis) is a perennial vine in the gourd family. The long vines grow from tubers underground that can weigh up to 50 lbs. While its unique, spikey fruits may look enticing, they are toxic to humans. It`s best to leave these sprawling vines as decoration.
Plan your visit and explore fascinating native plants at the link in bio.
#btarboretu #boycethompsonarboretum #desertplants #nativeplants
Looking for something to do over Spring Break? Plan a trip to the Arboretum!
Explore desert wonders from all over the world. Plan your visit at the link in bio.
#thingstodoaz #boycethompsonarboretum #superioraz #springbreak
Whether you`re starting a new landscape or adding to growing plant collection, Boyce Thompson Arboretum`s Spring Plant Sale has the perfect native and desert adapted plants.
Pick up new trees, shrubs, perennials, and more for your garden or landscape. This plant sale features an array of plants from around the world, including plants native to the southwestern states and northern Mexico. These plants are better adapted to a climate like ours, making them more sustainable and water-wise.
March 14-29
8 am - 5 pm, daily
37615 E Arboretum Way
Superior, AZ 85173
BTA Members receive 20% off during plant sales and get early access to the sale on March 13. Start the spring season with a garden refresh!
#boycethompsonarboretum #desertplants #nativeplants #springplantsale
Boyce Thompson Arboretum is traveling to your classroom!
Boyce Thompson Arboretum classroom outreach brings outdoor learning to your school through S.T.E.A.M. units offering inquiry-based, engaging lessons that explore the world of plants as well as the phenomena of the Sonoran Desert. Learn how plants grow in our arid environment, the amazing adaptations of wildlife in the desert, and how to start and maintain a pollinator garden at your school.*
Classroom outreach is one piece of the Arboretum`s initiative to bring quality education to schools within the Copper Corridor. Thank you to our sponsor, @resolutioncopper, for making outreach possible.
Outreach sessions for the 2026-2027 school year are booking now. Learn more and schedule an outreach session at the link in bio.
*Some outreach programs are limited to schools within the Copper Corridor
#btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #outreach #stemeducation
What are you hoping to pick up at Boyce Thompson Arboretum`s Spring Plant Sale?
Spring Plant Sale begins March 14th and runs through March 29th, 8 am – 5 pm daily. BTA Members receive 20% off during plant sales and get early access to the sale on March 13! Become a member at the link in bio.
#btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #springplantsale #desertplants #springplanting
See beautiful and unique floral and horticultural displays at SPRING FEVER 🌺
Desert Designers & Gold Canyon Garden Club present SPRING FEVER 2026, A National Garden Club Small Standard Flower Show. Members of Desert Designers & Gold Canyon Garden Club come together to expand and exhibit their knowledge and skill of Floral design.
Open to the public – Free with Arboretum’s standard admission
Viewing Hours:
Saturday March 21st, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday March 22nd, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This flower show is held in honor of Kim Gray, Executive Director of Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Arizona’s largest and oldest botanical garden.
Plan your visit at the link in bio.
#btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #floraldesign #flowershow
Penstemon parryi is in bloom across the gardens. Native to the Sonoran Desert, this wildflower is adding stunning pops of pink across our desert landscape.
Come see what`s blooming. Plan your visit at the link in bio.
#btarborteum #boycethompsonarboretum #springblooms #nativewildflowers
March is daffodil month! Symbolizing spring, new beginnings, and happiness, these flowers are definitely adding joy to our gardens.
Every season has something new to offer. Plan your visit at the link in bio.
#btarborteum #boycethompsonarboretum #SpringBlooms #DesertBloom #daffodils