Early Childhood and Primary

Botanic gardens are special places where students come close to nature, experience its abundance and complexity in a safe learning environment. All lessons are closely linked to the New South Wales Board of Studies syllabus outcomes and address the NSW Primary Curriculum Foundation Statements. All lessons are conducted by highly experienced Botanic Gardens Trust education staff.

Lessons for Early Childhood

Get Growing

Discover the life cycle of plants and experience the joys of growing your own. (Science & Technology, Human Society and Its Environment, Connected Outcomes Groups)

Wet and Dry

Examine life in ponds, rainforest and arid gardens. Investigate plant and animal features that help them survive in wet and dry places. (Science & Technology, Human Society and Its Environment)

Alexander’s ‘Maths’ Outing (Sydney only)

Bring stories to life as you accompany Alexander the duck on his maths trail through the Gardens. (Maths, English)

Warbling Magpies (Sydney only)

Explore the fascinating behaviour of Australian magpies and learn ways that we can live together through stories, art and role play. (English, Visual Arts and Music)

The Need for Shelter

Discover some of the many camouflaged shelters in the Botanic Gardens and then create your own. (Human Society and Its Environment, Visual Arts)

Sense-ability (Sydney only) - NEW!!

Bring your senses alive through hands-on activities in the Gardens. (Science & Technology)

'b' is for botanic and 'g' is for garden (Sydney only) - NEW!!

Practise your alphabet sounds whilst discovering the Gardens through story, walk and games. Bring your toy bears and have a bread and butter picnic too! (English, Science & Technology)

Lessons for Primary Students

Get Growing

Discover the life cycle of plants and experience the joys of growing your own. (Science & Technology, Human Society and its Environment, Connected Outcomes Groups)

Wet and Dry

Examine life in ponds, rainforest and arid gardens. Investigate plant and animal features that help them survive in wet and dry places. (Science & Technology, Human Society and Its Environment,)

State and National Parks

What are National and State parks? Find out more about their conservation issues through role play and explortion. (Science & Technology, Human Society and Its Environment, School Environment Management Plan)

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Learn how to sow seeds, take cuttings, compost and keep a worm farm. Find out how we practise sustainable gardening and how you can too! (Science & Technology, Human Society and Its Environment, School Environment Management Plan)

Rainforests

Experience what rainforests are really like and learn why they are so important. (Science & Technology, Human Society and Its Environment) - can be a full-day workshop

Desert Dwellers (Sydney only)

Desert plants provide inspiration for art work. Discover how their diverse structure and pale hues help them survive. (Visual Arts, Science & Technology, Human Society and Its Environment) - Succulent Garden

Aboriginal People and Plants

Identify local plants and their uses with our Aboriginal educators. (Science & Technology, Human Society and Its Environment)

>> Click here for a general overview of Aboriginal heritage at Sydney's Botanic Gardens 

Contact - First Encounters (Sydney only)

Discover what really happened when the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Harbour in 1788 and encountered the local Aboriginal people. (Human Society and Its Environment) - First Farm and Cadi Garden

Environment Matters - NEW!!

Follow Dr Seuss's Loraz as we uncover different environments and the ways people can interact with them responsibly. (English, Science & Technology)

Minibeasts

Explore the diverse range of animals that live in the Gardens and how they adapt and survive. (Science & Technology)

Our Australia (Mount Annan only)

Discover Aboriginal people’s perspective of Australia’s unique natural heritage - the plants, the insects and the birds. (Science & Technology)

Thinking Curriculum (Sydney only) - NEW!!

Using higher order thinking skills and self directed learning methods, this lesson will cater for all learners and is suited for gifted students. (Connected Outcomes Groups) - can be a full-day workshop

‘Choo Choo Express’ (Sydney only)

After your lesson take a ride on the ‘Choo Choo Express’. Bookings essential - duration 30 minutes, $4 per student.

Darwin’s Drama (Sydney only) - NEW!!

A drama education program for Stage Three students, where children produce their own group performance of Darwin’s life and work.

The story of Darwin’s life and his revolutionary theory of evolution is one of the most dramatic stories in scientific history.

Working together in teams children will explore various dramatic methods to communicate this story in the environs of the Botanic Gardens.

(Drama, English, Science & Technology & HSIE)
When: 3rd and fourth school term, Mondays and Fridays
Where: Community Education, via Woolloomooloo Gate
Cost: $150 per lesson up to 25 students. $6 per extra student, maximum 30 per lesson.
Bookings: 9231 8134

Do you need something a little different to the lessons above?

If the topic you had in mind does not appear above please contact one of our Education Officers on 9231 8127 or email leonie.dillon@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au or mary.bell@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au who can discuss your particular needs.

Student numbers per class

• Kindergarten: a maximum of 25 students per class
• Year 1 to Year 6: a maximum of 30 students per class

Lesson duration

• Pre-school to Year 6: 1.5 hours.
• Full day workshops

Lesson fee

• Pre-school-Kindergarten: 1 ½ hour lesson: $120 per lesson up to 20 students. $6 per extra student, max 25 per lesson.
• Year 1-6: 1½ hour lesson: $150 per lesson up to 25 students. $6 per extra student, max 30 students per lesson.
• Full day workshops: $300 per class up to 25 students, $12 per extra student, max 30 students per lesson.
• All classes with groups 10 or less students: $120 per lesson.

Bookings

Bookings are essential. Phone Community Education on: 9231 8134 (Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney), 4567 3015 or rusty.worsman@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au (Mount Tomah Botanic Garden), 4634 7930 or allen.powell@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au (Mount Annan Botanic Garden).