Wood Works for kindergarten Flower Power for grade one Super Soils for grade two Botanical Measurements for grade three Native Plants in Our Lives for grade four All activities are interactive, fun, hands-on, and aligned with the Washington State Standards for Science. Teacher comments: "This was our 2nd year and once again we were awed by the professional student centered lesson and curriculum connections presented.  Thank you for supporting our community." "So much GREAT info and activities in a short time!"

Student activities:
Use hand lenses and microscopes.
Make paper flowers, pollinators, and play the "Pollination Game".
Observe and identify the parts of a flower, role-play their function.
Handle Native American artifacts made from plants; identify native plants.
Apply knowledge of native plants in a game of survival.
Learn the parts of a tree, sort tree products, and make one to take home.
Observe, record, experiment and compare the perc rate for 4 soils.
Determine the best soil for: most plants, swimming pool, Hens & Chicks.
Measure trees, analyze data to determine the best tree for a mast.
Weigh 3 soils to make mixture for mini-alpine rock gardens to take home.

	Students usually come to the Garden from 9:30am to 11:00am unless special arrangements have been made. Classes are divided into two smaller groups that participate in grade-specific activities related to the topic for the day (see list of activities, descriptions and grade level for each). Groups rotate through the 2 or 3 activities planned for the day.
	Participating teachers and their students, volunteer helpers and staff teachers are asked to evaluate their experiences with the Living Lab Program. Judging from their comments, they feel this free program, funded by the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society, is valuable and serves the community well. Hands-on learning is fun and educational for all ages!

To sign up to volunteer, call Kathleen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society office, 425-451-3755 or email her at bbgsoffice@bellevuebotanical.org
Hope to see you!

Program Historic Perspective:  The Living Lab Program has been in existence at the Bellevue Botanical Garden since 1994. The original  program objective was to offer plant and water-related classes to third and fourth grade students in the Bellevue School District. In those early days, the City of Bellevue Utilities Department supported the program. The Department supplied the funding and a program coordinator. Volunteers taught the classes. In 1996, two staff teachers were hired. In 1999 the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society assumed full responsibility for the financial and administrative functions of the program. A professional program coordinator/developer and two professional staff teachers were hired. The program was expanded from two days to three days per week during the spring and a fall session was added. Volunteers were trained to assist staff teachers. Grade level offerings increased to include K-5. All activities align with the Washington State Standards for Social Studies and Science, the EALRS and CBAs.

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This site is sponsored and maintained by volunteers of the
Bellevue Botanical Garden Society

CONTACT US
Email:

Mail:
Bellevue Botanical Garden
12001 Main Street
Bellevue, WA 98005
425.452.2750

Bellevue Botanical Garden Society
PO Box 40536
Bellevue WA 98015-4536
425.451.3755
 

Phone:
Facilities use:                 425.452.2750

Volunteer at the Garden:       425.452.2750

Volunteer for events:          425.451.3755

Membership information:      425.451.3755

Special events and programs:  425.451.3755