The Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton, popular for its extensive and diverse flora and fauna, serves a unique purpose during the academic session. It morphs into a hands-on, petal-scented classroom for many K-5 elementary school children, challenging them to learn about and appreciate the environment in an unforgettable format.
In the past spring season alone, a staggering 738 elementary pupils got the opportunity to expand their knowledge on plants, climate, and biomes. The guided tours and study programs took the form of outdoor classrooms, enabling children to grasp comprehension of the delicate balance in our natural ecosystem.
The guided tours have been explicitly tailored to cater to a specific age group of students because the levels of interest and understanding are diverse. Facilitated totally by dedicated arboretum volunteers who devote their time and expertise to share their knowledge about botany and ecology, the journey is an enlightening one for the kids.
One of the highlighted aspects of these tours is what they term ‘investigating biomes.’ The children get a chance to delve into the unique aspects of regions that are formed due to their physical environment and regional climate. Special emphasis is laid on certain types – the chaparral, desert, and pond biomes. Among these, the pond biome stands out for the children as it houses a rich variety of animals like red-eared slider turtles, ducks, and small fish, occasionally accompanied by a heron.
With utmost attention, students are guided along the way for updation about the different ecosystems. In addition to this, the Arboretum and Botanical Garden always has something exciting in the pipeline. They are currently planning to launch a ‘Trees Are Essential’ curriculum this fall, so students can deepen their understanding of the role trees play in supporting our environment.
An enticing feature of the visit is the scavenger hunts. Scattered across the botanical garden are several distinctive trees, plants, and fixtures. The expectation is to spot the Bodhi tree, ombre tree, silk floss tree, giant quiver tree, a tunnel of kiwi/passion fruit, a banana tree, a cluster of bamboo and a historical outhouse from the 1890s.
For the older students, a Fibonacci Sequence curriculum draws their attention. This mathematical phenomenon is easily spotted in the seed heads, pinecones, fruits, and vegetables that nature has effortlessly formed.
Moreover, suppose a school doesn’t arrange field trips for its students. In that case, the arboretum welcomes private groups of all age groups to undertake self-guided tours. The organization is also open to providing a general scavenger hunt activity, a perfect weekend edutainment opportunity for families. Such initiatives are proof that the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton are continually expanding their horizons in order to make nature and the environment more accessible to everyone.
To ensure that your kids do not miss out on this practical and fun learning opportunity, schedule a trip to the Arboretum and Botanical Garden. It also offers volunteer opportunities for individuals passionate about the environment and education. The visit to the arboretum promises not just a day filled with fun and excitement but also a wealth of knowledge that is rarely available in traditional classrooms.
