Royal Botanical Gardens (Canada)

a CILC Content Provider

Royal Botanical Gardens is a living museum which serves local, regional and global communities while developing and promoting public understanding of the relationship between the plant world, humanity and the rest of nature.

Education at Royal Botanical Gardens encourages environmental stewardship by providing meaningful and diverse learning experiences that connect people with the wild and cultivated plant world.

With over 15 years experience delivering engaging interactive videoconferencing programs, we offer topics that explore biodiversity, conservation, botany, plant ecology and the environment. Whether you are looking for an insect program; a program exploring wetlands, their functions and human impacts or you want to discover more about a delicious chocolate treat; we have a wide variety of plant-based programs to support and enhance your classroom needs or stimulate and entertain older adults.

No matter where you are, your group can interact with our educators and scientists.

2023-2024

2022-2023

2021-2022

2020-2021

2019-2020

2018-2019

2017-2018

2016-2017

Honorable Mention

2015-2016

2014-2015

2013-2014

2012-2013

2011-2012

Honorable Mention

2010-2011

2009-2010

2008-2009

Honorable Mention

2007-2008

Honorable Mention

Programs by Royal Botanical Gardens (Canada)

Amazing Monarchs (Eng/Fr)

From egg to adult, you will see them all in this special program. We'll explore the Monarch Butterfly's amazing life cycle with live specimens when available, as well as images and video. Discover how you can help them along their migration route.

Art with Nature (NEW)

Using nature as both muse and medium, students unleash their creativity in this nature arts program. We'll explore patterns, symmetry and colour. A hands-on, collaborative program that encourages social emotional learning to build personal...

Artists' Gardens: Nature Inspiring Art

Artists creations are inspired by a variety of things including the natural world and gardens, both public and private. Join Karin as she takes you on a journey exploring various well-known artists. Learn how their art was influenced by both the...

Careers in Ecology, Botany and Horticulture

RBG has over 2400 acres of natural sanctuaries. We depend on our species and ecosystem ecologists to help with the monitoring, restoration and management of the biodiversity hotspot. Interested in learning more about these careers? Here’s your...

Chocolate: From Treasure to Treat (Eng/ Fr)

How much cacao is really in your chocolate bar? From cacao to chocolate - rainforest treasure to delicious treat. After discovering the ecology of cacao and its role in the rainforest, we’ll explore how this tasty treat was (and still is...

Colours in Nature (Eng/ Fr)

Have you ever wondered why animals and plants are certain colours. Communication is one reason and the other has to do with responses to the environment. Don’t forget about the plants too; they aren’t all green all of the time. Explore these and...

Creatures with Wings and Crawly Things (ENG/FR)

Do you know what the characteristics of insects are? We'll explore different habitats including leaf litter, aquatic and grass fields to discover a variety of insects (and non-insects) and their adaptations. What's their connection to plants?

Good Things Come in Trees (ENG/FR)

Can you imagine your life without plants? Plants are critical for all life forms. They are the major source of food and oxygen on earth, since no animal can supply these necessary components without plants. Discover what parts of the plant we use...

Growing Seeds (ENG/FR)

Discover what environmental conditions seeds need in order to germinate. Why do some seeds need to be planted while others do better on top of the soil? Need some help with your school vegetable or pollinator garden? Available in English AND...

Healing Plants

Have you ever wondered where modern medicines originated? Did you know that over 80 percent of the world uses plants as medicine? We'll examine plants used in food, personal care and modern pharmaceuticals. What are the environmental issues...

How far has your food travelled?

We go to the grocery store regularly to buy food, but where did that food come from originally compared to where we get it from now? What resources are used to get the food to us? With the help of a world map, we'll explore these questions and...

Human Impacts on Ecosystems (Wetlands) (ENG/FR)

When you go for a walk in a forest, meadow or wetland, is it the same as it was 100 years ago? Probably not. We'll explore the stressors on Cootes Paradise Marsh (Class 1 Wetland) and what is being to restore and monitor these efforts.

Insects in Winter (Eng/ Fr)

Except for a few that migrate, most of the insects of spring, summer and fall are still around in the winter. The question is where and how do they survive the cold?

Introduction to Horticultural Therapy

It has been well documented how important plants are in our lives, no matter our age. We'll take you through a sample activity to discover more about these benefits and how you can incorporate plant-based activities into your programs. Be prepared...

Invasive Species and Biodiversity (Eng/ Fr)

We will be exploring how humans have been instrumental in introducing non-native/invasive species into natural environments and their impacts on biodiversity. We'll discover some interesting connections and what we can do.

Live in the Mediterranean Greenhouse (Plant Adaptations)

Royal Botanical Gardens may be on the same latitude as the Mediterranean, but it doesn't have the same climate. Join us for a walk through the greenhouse to explore the Mediterranean plants and the adaptations that have enabled the hot dry summers...

Organic Gardening

Why are farmers and gardeners turning to organic practices? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Can you use these techniques in your school garden or greenhouse? Join us to discover how easily you can help your local environment while...

Photosynthesis

Green plants are the only plants that produce oxygen and make food, which is called photosynthesis. Explore how the plant's structures function and the adaptations plants have to carry out photosynthesis in different environments. Discover some...

Plant Adaptations: Wetlands

A sea of cattails - telltale sign of wetlands. There is a diversity of plants in, on and below the surface that are integral to that ecosystem. How do these plants survive in such extreme environments? What role do they play and how can we care...

Plant Parts and Pumpkins (Eng/Fr)

Most plants start from a seed, but what happens afterwards. We'll review what a plant needs to grow and how a plant grows from a seed. We'll explore in more detail pumpkins, squash and gourds and how a pumpkin plant grows. What do you like to do...

Pollination Partners (Eng/Fr)

Are insects and birds able to pollinate the same plant? Why is pollination beneficial? For the answers to these and many other questions, join us as we investigate with the living and preserved specimens the cooperative relationship between...

Royal Botanical Gardens: Canada's Biodiversity Hotspot

Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) is much more than meets the eye. Created from a gravel pit, it has grown to be the largest botanical garden in Canada and a National Historic Site. Discover the history behind RBG’s inspirational gardens and natural...

Seeds on the Go (ENG)

Milkweed fluff, maple keys, burs are all ways that plants use to move their seeds from one sprouting spot to another. If possible, collect some seeds outside and we’ll explore the connections between form and function. Your learners will help...

Soils in the Environment

Have you ever wondered what is under the grass? What do roots actually grow in? It’s soil! Get ready to discover what it takes to make soil and keep it healthy for living things to use. Bring your questions and be prepared to explore (and get...

Squash Season

It's true, not all squash are pumpkins! We use these fruit as decorations and food typically in the fall, but where do they come from and why do we use them. Join Karin to discover the variety of squash, their origin, and cultural uses of these...

Starting Plants with Seeds

Why do some plants need to be started earlier indoors while others can be planted directly in the soil? Wild seeds may require cold temperatures, water, light, scarring or heat in order to initiate germination. We'll review the basics of...

Tea Time: The plant, the process and benefits

Tea is one of the most popular beverages globally. Originally from China, Camellia sinensis, is grown worldwide and depending on how its leaves are processed, produces some very interesting flavours. Have some samples on hand to taste while...

Teacher Workshop: Programs offered at RBG (Eng/ Fr)

Royal Botanical Gardens invites you to participate in a free program introducing you to RBG and our current virtual and onsite programs available with a sampling of some of the content, activities and specimens available.

The Nature of our Holiday Traditions

When you think of this time of year, what smells and colours come to mind? Pine, gingerbread cookies, mulled cider, green, red? These are related to plants that have been used in our winter celebrations for over 2,000 years within different...

Wetland Ways (ENG/FR)

What is a wetland? Why is it one of the most productive ecosystems? Imagine you are an animal in a wetland. How do you depend on the various functions of a wetland to survive? We'll use metaphors to explore the special qualities of this...

Winter Tree ID

Identifying deciduous trees during the winter is much easier than you think. Discover how you can use buds and leafless twigs to help you recognize some common woody plants while honing your identification skills using a dichotomous key.

Type of Organization

Arts/Cultural/Museum

Contact

Karin Davidson-Taylor kdavidsontaylor@rbg.ca
Royal Botanical Gardens
Burlington Ontario, Canada L7T 4H4
905-527-1158 x249
Canada

https://www.rbg.ca/things-to-do/courses-camps-programs/virtual-field-trips/#programs

Primary Disciplines

The programs of Royal Botanical Gardens (Canada) cover:

Art
Career & Technical Education (CTE)
Math
Professional Development
Science
STEM
French

Awards, Quotes, Testimonials

"It was a great VC - well done. The teacher thought that the experience was FANTASTIC and wants RBG to be our new best friend."
Secondary Educator YRDSB, Ontario; “In order to achieve the highest level of learning for the students, we link up with experts via video conference. Karin Davidson Taylor is one of these experts. Her program allows my students to gain an understanding of species at risk in another part of the country. By doing sessions such as this, the students leave the course with a greater understanding of the problem faced by many species of animals in Canada than they would have gained by simply using a textbook and the internet.”Dwayne Shepherd, Gr 10/11 (GYRD, AB)

Royal Botanical Gardens (Canada)

Programs by Royal Botanical Gardens (Canada)

Amazing Monarchs (Eng/Fr)

Art with Nature (NEW)

Artists' Gardens: Nature Inspiring Art

Careers in Ecology, Botany and Horticulture

Chocolate: From Treasure to Treat (Eng/ Fr)

Colours in Nature (Eng/ Fr)

Creatures with Wings and Crawly Things (ENG/FR)

Good Things Come in Trees (ENG/FR)

Growing Seeds (ENG/FR)

Healing Plants

How far has your food travelled?

Human Impacts on Ecosystems (Wetlands) (ENG/FR)

Insects in Winter (Eng/ Fr)

Introduction to Horticultural Therapy

Invasive Species and Biodiversity (Eng/ Fr)

Live in the Mediterranean Greenhouse (Plant Adaptations)

Organic Gardening

Photosynthesis

Plant Adaptations: Wetlands

Plant Parts and Pumpkins (Eng/Fr)

Pollination Partners (Eng/Fr)

Royal Botanical Gardens: Canada's Biodiversity Hotspot

Seeds on the Go (ENG)

Soils in the Environment

Squash Season

Starting Plants with Seeds

Tea Time: The plant, the process and benefits

Teacher Workshop: Programs offered at RBG (Eng/ Fr)

The Nature of our Holiday Traditions

Wetland Ways (ENG/FR)

Winter Tree ID

More About This Provider

Type of Organization

Contact

Primary Disciplines

Awards, Quotes, Testimonials