Outreach Programs

Our Outreach Programs bring environmental science to life with fun and engaging class sessions right at your school. Our educators deliver 40- to 60-minute programs designed to captivate students and inspire a love for nature.

Cost: $150 per classroom

Our tours are designed in conjunction with NYS Curriculum Standards and act as an extension of a teacher’s classroom to create concrete counterparts to traditional school lessons in Natural Science. We can accommodate up to 5 classes per school day and provide programs for elementary schools across Nassau County.

Email education@oldwestburygardens.org for more information or to arrange a visit to your school.

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Tree Talk Outreach Program

2 Levels: K-3 and 4-6

The Tree Talk Outreach Program immerses students in the fascinating world of trees, exploring the diverse species found in their backyards and school grounds. Students will be introduced to dendrochronology—the science of dating tree rings—to understand how trees grow and record their histories.

Our “tree cookies” bring the forest into the classroom, providing a tangible connection to these concepts. Through hands-on activities and games, students will learn to identify tree species by examining leaves, seeds, and bark, and discover why some trees lose their leaves in the fall while others do not.

By the end of the program, students will have a deeper understanding of the vital role trees play in our environment and how they can help protect these natural giants. Each student will also create a personalized “tree cookie” charting their own years of growth.

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Gardening Outreach Program

2 Levels: K-3 and 4-6

The Old Westbury Gardens Gardening Outreach Program is a hands-on exploration of the remarkable life cycle of plants. From humble seeds to blooming flowers, students will witness the diverse world of plants and their seeds, learn about the balance of soil types and plant nutrients, discover the varying watering needs of plants, and even get up close and personal with some of the garden’s most intriguing flora!

Gardening care basics will teach students to nurture their leafy charges and tend to soil, nutrients, and water with loving care. Students will depart the program not only with a green thumb but with a profound respect for the natural world, ready to embrace their role as stewards of the environment and carry the lessons learned forward, ensuring a greener, more sustainable future.

At the end of the program, each student will participate in planting their own plant to take home with them.

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Pollinator Outreach Program

2 Levels: K-3 and 4-6

The Pollinator Outreach Program is a journey into the world of pollinators, the unsung heroes of Old Westbury Gardens and the planet as a whole. Uncover the vital role that these fascinating creatures play in our ecosystems. From the magical metamorphosis of butterflies to the ingenious colonization practices of bees, and even the mysterious world of night pollinators, including bats and moths, you’ll discover the incredible diversity and interconnectedness of pollinators.

Engage in activities that illustrate how these creatures communicate, transform, and perceive the world through the lens of pollination. Students will learn valuable tips on how to promote and protect pollinating species in their own neighborhood. At the end of the program, each student will participate in making a bee buzzer craft.