The Tropical Explorer Program offers hands-on activities and a guided tour through the Bolz Tropical Conservatory.  Curriculum is currently available for grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade. 

• K/1 - Sensory exploration of plants
  
  
• 2/3 - Plant adaptations

Supplemental activities help prepare students for their visit to Olbrich and provide teachers with ideas for follow-up in the classroom.  Olbrich educators provide an introduction and tour of the Bolz Conservatory.   The on-site activities are designed to be run by you and your adult leaders with assistance from Olbrich staff and volunteers. 

You will need to download the Tropical Explorer Curriculum in preparation for your visit.  We strongly encourage you to make the Explorer Program part of a curriculum rather than simply a field trip.  Students get much more out of the Explorer Program if they arrive with some background.  The Explorer Program is designed to augment school curriculum and to satisfy standards requirements at each level.

Upon Arrival:  After a short presentation by Olbrich educators, school groups (up to 50 kids per visit) are split into two groups.  Please plan on how your group will divide before your visit.

Group I works hands-on with plant science activities in our Atrium at education stations delving into age-appropriate themes.  These hands-on activities are designed to be run by you and your adult leaders with assistance from Olbrich staff and volunteers.

• Grades K/1 undertakes a sensory exploration of plants in our lives 

• Grades 2/3 explore plant adaptations
  

Group II immerses themselves into the rainforest environment of our Bolz Tropical Conservatory, learning about a wholly different "world" by participating in a guided tour with Olbrich educators.

SCHEDULING:

We offer the following schedule for the Tropical Explorer Program:

• April 11 - May 18, 2006
  Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays    10 - 11: 30 a.m. and 1 - 2:30 p.m.
  

The Explorer Program runs for 1½ hours.  Groups are limited to 50 students.  To schedule an Explorer reservation contact Kai Skadahl at (608) 246-4550.  For information about the content of Explorer programs or other youth education opportunities, contact Anne Fisher at (608) 245-5791.

PRICE:

• The fee per child is $2.

• There is a $40 minimum charge required for each group.

• Children on free/reduced lunch program are eligible for a discount (inquire for details when scheduling your visit)

• Adult chaperones are free!  A minimum of 1 adult per 6 students is required. Additional adults are $1 each.

• Fees are payable at time of visit, with cash or check only. Please make checks payable to Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI  53704

Your group may be eligible for Nature Express funding through Nature Net.