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Living Lab
serves the local community and supports the mission of the
Bellevue Botanical Garden Society, and the Interpretive Plan of
the Bellevue Botanical Garden by providing quality science and
botany-related educational opportunities for youth. |
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Our volunteer group has returned
year after year to have fun with the kids and assist the staff
teachers with classes. Teachers in the Bellevue School District
receive a program announcement several months before the classes
begin for the spring and fall sessions. They select the activity
that relates to their class level.
No Charge
Download Flyer
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2008 Fall Session
Pre-registration is required. Call Kathleen at the
Bellevue Botanical Garden Society
425-451-3755
Sept 29, Monday
Sept 30, Tuesday
Oct 1,Wednesday
Oct 6, Mon
Oct 7, Tuesday
Oct 8, Wednesday
Oct 13, Monday
Oct 14, Tuesday
Oct 15, Wednesday
Oct 20, Monday
Oct 21, Tuesday
Oct 22, Wednesday
Oct 27, Monday
Oct 28, Tuesday
Oct 29, Wednesday |
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Living
Lab is a lot of learning and a lot of fun!
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Wood Works
for kindergarten
Flower Power
for grade one
Super Soils
for grade two
Botanical Measurements for grade three
Cultural Histories of
the Bellevue Botanical Garden
for grade four
Garden
Environments
for grade five
All activities are interactive, fun, hands-on, and aligned with the
Washington State Standard 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!"
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Student activities:
 Use hand lenses and microscopes
to observe soil and flower structures.
Make paper
flowers, butterflies and play the Pollination Game.
Learn the parts of a tree and make a
"tree cookie" to take home.
Sort wood and wood products.
Observe garden environments and
design a garden model
Adapt seeds to travel in a variety
of ways.
Discover the connections between plants and other living and
non-living things.
Observe and
record the rate at which water flows through sand, loam, pebbles and
clay. Students come to the Garden from
9:30am to 11:00am. Each class is divided into two smaller groups. One
group goes to the Visitor Center and the other to the Sharp Cabin.
They are involved in different activities related to the same
topic. Halfway through the time period, they switch locations and
activities.
Judging from teacher, student and
volunteer evaluations and letters, Living Lab program serves the
community well. Teachers love it, students have fun learning while
volunteers enjoy the camaraderie with fellow gardeners and the school
community. To sign up to volunteer, call Kathleen at the Bellevue
Botanical Garden Society office at 425-451-3755, email her at
Hope to see you!
Program Historic Perspective:
The Living Lab Program has been in existence at the Bellevue Botanical
Garden since 1994. The 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 classes. In
1996, two staff teachers were hired. In 1999, the Bellevue Botanical
Garden assumed full responsibility for the financial and
administrative functions of the program. A curriculum writer/program
coordinator was hired along with two professional staff teachers. The
program was expanded from two days to three days per week, and a fall
session was added to the existing spring session. Volunteers continued
to be trained and assist the staff teachers. Grade level offerings
increased from third and fourth grades to kindergarten through fifth
grades. Five field trip activities have been developed:
All activities align with the Washington State Standards and Essential Learnings. |
