School and Group Programs at the Muttart Conservatory

An instructor presenting a program in a pyramid at the Muttart.

Photo of a young boy holding a picture of a leaf next to an actual leaf on a plant, attempting to identify the type of leaf.

At Muttart Conservatory, we take a fun, interactive approach to learning within our living laboratory. Our hands-on school programs complement the science curriculum with sprinkles of language arts and art objectives! Where else can you travel from the deepest, darkest jungle, to a desert oasis, to a shady forest retreat and still be home for lunch?

Muttart Conservatory Programs have been updated to meet new curriculum objectives.

School/Groups Program Package

Programs

Preschool Plant and Play (Preschool)

Grades: Preschool
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Fee: $225
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.

Program Information Package

Students will take a sensory journey through our pyramids! Students will explore and learn through play and games how a variety of spectacular plants use colour, shape, and texture to survive in different conditions. They will experience the changing seasons and move their bodies like plants as they grow! Students will flex their green thumbs by planting a colourful seedling to take home.

Little Ladybugs and Friends (Preschool - Grade 3)

Program Length: 1.5 or 2 hours
Fee: $225
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.

Program Information Package

Learn how the charming ladybug and other beneficial insects help our gardens and environments grow! Through activities, games, and more, students will learn all about beneficial bugs and the importance of our spotted friends! Experience the world through insect eyes, using our senses, discover life cycles, and learn about the food chain. Your students will even pot a plant to take home.

Science curriculum links: The physical world, Earth systems, living systems and the scientific method

Christmas Around the World (Preschool - Grade 3)

Grades: Preschool - Grade 3
Program Length: 1.5 or 2 hours
Fee: $230
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.
Availability: November 23 to December 24

Program Information Package

‘Tis the season to enjoy the spirit of the upcoming holidays! Poinsettias, Christmas trees, ginger, frankincense and myrrh– so many plants play an important part in Christmas traditions. Students will see and smell many of these important plants as they discover Christmas traditions from around the world. Each student will pot a plant to add some life to the classroom or home!

Science curriculum links: The physical world, Earth systems, living systems and the scientific method

Social studies curriculum links: Exploring the dynamic relationships between people, places and time

Colours and Textures (Kindergarten - Grade 1)

Grades: Kindergarten - Grade 1
Program Length: 1.5 or 2 hours
Fee: $225
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.

Program Information Package

Take a sensory adventure through our pyramids! Students will journey through rich colours, mesmerizing shapes, and patterned textures, to learn how plants
survive in extreme conditions. Hunt for the colours of the rainbow in the pyramids as you learn all about creating colour and its importance in the natural world. Students will flex their green thumbs by potting a colourful seedling to take home.

Science curriculum links: The physical world, Earth systems, living systems and the scientific method

Smarty Plants (Grades 1-3)

Grades: 1-3
Program Length: 2 hours
Fee: $225
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.

Program Information Package

Explore the genius of the botanical world as we discover survival strategies that plants use to live in tropical jungles, temperate forests, and deserts around the world. Students will learn about plant parts, explore the pyramids to see amazing specimens, and work together to determine the needs of plants. Their new knowledge will come in handy when they plant their own seedling to care for at home.

Science curriculum links: Earth systems, living systems and the scientific method

Nurturing Nature (Grades 4-6)

Grades: 4-6
Program Length: 2 hours
Fee: $225
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.

Program Information Package

How are we conserving our natural environments? Students will participate in a variety of hands-on experiential activities that reinforce the importance of plants in ecosystems and how to support conservation. What are the purposes of plant parts? How are plants responding and adapting to their surroundings and ecosystems? What can we, as scientists, do to ensure their survival? Students will record their findings in a field journal, create an ecosystem display, and continue their field research after the program with their very own seedlings that they will pot to take home.

Science curriculum links: Earth systems, living systems and the scientific method

Saving Ecosystems (Grades 7-9)

Grades: 7-9
Program Length: 2 hours
Fee: $230
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.

Program Information Package

Students will investigate biomes around the world at the Muttart Conservatory, and make observations on how ecosystems adapt. Students will apply this with hands-on experiments looking at the soil, water, and cellular structures of plants and the factors affecting them. To conclude, students will use their critical thinking skills in the role of governing bodies to determine how they would conserve our endangered grasslands in a changing landscape and changing climate. Students will end their trip by planting a seedling to take home!

Science curriculum links: Interactions and ecosystems, plants for food and fibre, cells and systems, biological diversity

High School Classes

For high school students, please contact our bookings team and let us know what you are interested in learning about as part of a program/tour for your class and we will do our best to deliver an experience that engages your students. Please contact us at artsattractionsbookings@edmonton.ca with your request.

DIY Terrariums

Program Length: 1.5 hours
Fee: Custom

Join us at the Muttart to experience building your own plant terrarium and touring our pyramids! Learn how to design a terrarium creating your own unique environment with decorative additions for your plants! Come learn and try something new.

Guided Tour

For groups under 20 people
Program Length: 1 hour
Fee: $225
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.

Join a knowledgeable interpreter for a guided tour of the gems of Muttart Conservatory’s plant collection. You’ll explore the lush plant life of the tropical pyramid, discover unique plant adaptations in the arid pyramid, and enjoy the changing of the seasons in the temperate pyramid. Tours can accommodate up to 20 individuals, include facility admission, and can be booked during weekday opening hours.

Booking Checklist

Please be prepared with the following information to make your booking:

Program name

2-3 potential program dates

School mailing address, including postal code, school telephone number, and fax number

Contact name and names of teachers for all classes being booked

Email address(es) of teacher(s) booking and attending the program

Number of students attending

Number of supervisors

Individuals with diverse abilities/accessibility arrangements

Name and cell phone number of on-site contact person for programs at your school

Fees and Payment

The amount owing is shown on your program booking confirmation letter and/or email. Payment is required prior to the program start date. Invoices are sent out by the City on the first of each month. You will receive your invoice in the same month as your program runs. For example: for a May booking, your invoice will be issued May 1. Payment can be made by cheque, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Please have cheques made payable to the City of Edmonton and write your booking confirmation numbers on your cheques.

Credit card payment can be made over phone by calling 311.

Mail cheques to:
Citizen Services Payment Processing
PO Box 2359
19th Floor, Edmonton Tower
Edmonton AB, T5J 2R7

Group Size

The maximum number of students permitted in most programs is 35. Except preschool, which is 25 students. The maximum number of adults permitted in a program is 10. Groups exceeding the maximum size limits must book an additional program.

Adults are required to remain with their group and supervise participating students at all times during the program. Adult supervisors are admitted free of charge with the program in the following ratios:

Pre-school (3-4 years): 1 adult per 3 students

Kindergarten - Grade 6: 1 adult per 5 students

Grades 7-12: 1 adult per 10 students

Additional adults and students/siblings exceeding these ratios will be asked to pay facility admission fees and tour the facility on their own. Additional participants can rejoin their group after the registered program ends. To ensure a high quality program, we recommend that all students participating are within the age range advertised for the program.

Program Adjustments and Cancellations

All adjustments and cancellations must be provided in writing via email to:

Programs run rain or shine

Cancellations with 8-30 days' notice are subject to a fee of 50% of the program cost

Programs cancelled with less than 7 days' notice will be charged the full program fee

School and Group Programs at the Muttart Conservatory

Programs

Program Customization

Book Your School or Group Program

Booking Checklist

Fees and Payment

Group Size

Program Adjustments and Cancellations

Other School and Group Programs

Contact Us

School/Group Program Reservations Office