Secondary

Botanic gardens are special places where students come close to nature, experience its abundance and complexity and learn how to care for it. All lessons are closely linked to the New South Wales Board of Studies syllabus outcomes and are conducted by highly experienced Botanic Gardens Trust education staff.

Plant Classification

Discover the similarities and differences between major plant groups and identify them using a simple key. (Stage 4 Science)

Enviro-Maths

Botanic Gardens are a perfect site for a full day of maths. We involve you in a range of numerical and geometric observations, measurements and calculations. (Stage 4 Maths) - full-day workshop

Garden Design

Experience themed plant displays in our outstanding garden landscapes. Let us help you plan and design a garden and propagate plants for your school. (Technology)

Threatened Habitats - Rainforests (Sydney Tropical Centre and Mount Tomah) - NEW!!

Visit the rainforest and learn about global issues affecting this unique environment and the local communities. (Stage 4 Geography)

Global Environments

Different environments support different plants. Explore our global collections and discover fascinating adaptations of plants to each environment. (Stage 4 Geography, Science)

Bush Foods (Sydney only)

Aboriginal educators provide an Aboriginal perspective on living with and from, the bush. Taste 'bush tucker' and adapt recipes to include native ingredients. (Aboriginal Studies)

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

Sustainable Horticulture

We practise it and show you how! (Science, Geography, School Environment Management Plan)

Contact! (Sydney - First Farm, Cadi Garden and Farm Cove)

Be a convict and local Cadigal kid at the sites of the First Farm and Cadi Garden in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens. (Stage 4 History, Aboriginal Studies) - a full-day workshop when combined with the Contact program of the Museum of Sydney)

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

Investigating History (Sydney only) - NEW!!

A site study of the Royal Botanic Gardens interpreting primary and secondary sources to discover the changes in land use and societal values. (Stage 4 & 5 History)

Australian Environments

Explore our Australian collections and discover adaptations to the physical parameters of each environment through first hand investigation. (Stage 5 Geography, Science)

Geology (Mount Tomah)

Investigate Mount Tomah’s fascinating geological history. Discover the formations that effect Tomah’s soil type and plant distribution. (Science, Geography, Earth & Environmental Science)

Local Ecosystem Study (Mount Tomah & Mount Annan)

The remnant Cumberland Plain Woodland at Mount Annan Botanic Garden or the native rainforests and woodlands at Mount Tomah Botanic Garden provide the ideal location for this holistic study. (Science, Geography, Biology, Earth and Environmental Science) - full-day workshop.

Australian Biota Study Day - presented by the Australian Museum, Taronga Zoo and the Botanic Gardens

Three excursions in one and the opportunity to explore 165 million years of Australia's evolution. Students compare extinct and extant species; discover pollination mechanisms and coevolution; observe adaptations of flora and fauna to a drying continent. At the Sydney, Mount Tomah and Mount Annan Botanic Gardens, Western Plains Zoo and North Coast Botanic Gardens - Coffs Harbour. (Preliminary Biology)

Biota Study Days (Evolution of Australian Biota)

Sydney (½ day at the Australian Museum and ½ day at the Royal Botanic Gardens including the Zoomobile):

• Tues 23 June-Wed 8 July (all weekdays inclusive)
• Tues 28 July-Fri 31 July (inclusive)
• Tues 25 August-Fri 11 Sept (inclusive)
• Cost: $21.00 per student for four one-hour sessions.
• Bookings: for these dates, contact the Australian Museum - Ph (02) 9320 6163; Fax (02) 9320 6072.

Mount Annan (at Mount Annan Botanic Garden near Narellan / Campbelltown):

• Thurs 13 August-Fri 21 August (inclusive)
• Cost: $16.00 per student for three one-hour sessions.
• Bookings: taken by the Australian Museum - Ph (02) 9320 6163; Fax (02) 9320 6072.

Mount Tomah (at Mount Tomah Botanic Garden in the Blue Mountains):

• Tues 4 August-Wed 12 August (inclusive)
• Cost: $16.00 per student for three one-hour sessions.
• Bookings: taken by the Mount Tomah Botanic Garden - Ph (02) 4567 3015; Fax (02) 4567 2037.

>> Click here for more information about Evolution of Australian Biota Study Day

Evolution and Adaptation of Australian Plants

Explore the evolution of Australia’s flora from Gondwana to the present time. Examine modern day relatives of the southern conifer forests and broadleaf rainforests. (Preliminary Biology)

Plants for Senior Science

Go behind the scenes and see plant production, nursery management, and the conservation of the Wollemi Pine at a botanic garden. (Senior Science)

Maintaining a Balance

Explore a variety of Australian environments to understand plant responses to temperature change and regulation, movement of material through the vascular system and minimisation of water loss. (HSC Biology)

The Search for Better Health (Sydney, Mount Tomah)

Come behind the scenes with our plant scientists. See how to identify, research, quarantine and eradicate plant pathogens to help maintain healthy plants, ornamentals and natural environments. (HSC Biology, Agriculture) - full-day workshop when combined with Maintaining a Balance)

Big Answers to Big Questions

The Trust is proud to support the Premier’s Debating Challenge for Year 11 and encourages debating teams to contact us for Big Answers to Big Questions.

>> Click here for more information on the Premiers Debating Challenge for Year 11

Student numbers per class

• Year 7 to Year 10: a maximum of 30 students per class
• Year 11 and 12: a maximum of 30 students per class

Lesson duration

• Secondary: 2 hours
• Full-day workshop

Lesson fee

• Secondary: 2 hour lesson: $165 per lesson up to 25 students. $6.60 per extra student, max 30 per lesson. 
• TAFE & University: 2 hour lesson: $182 per lesson up to 25 students. $7.25 per extra student, max 30 per lesson.
• All classes with groups 10 or less students: $120 per lesson
• Full day workshops: $300 per class up to 25 students, $12 per extra student, max 30 students 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).