Educational Programs

The Belle Isle Botanical Society would like to invite you and your group to the plant museum/science lab at the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory. Our goal is to help teachers in grade schools to supplement their lessons on the life cycles of plants and the interdependence of all living things.

The tour is based on the lesson plans offered by the State of Michigan on its Sample Curriculum and Plans for Education (SCAPE)website. We have consulted models developed by the Midwest Public Garden Collaborative and involved the Skillman Center for Children at Wayne State University.

Docents take students on a quick tour of the conservatory to check temperatures to illustrate the various climates in each museum room. We introduce them to dinosaurs in the Fernery to explain the life cycle of plants and the interdependence of plants and animals.

The Palm House is the backdrop for lessons on the rainforest and is a great backdrop to explain the interdependence of plants and animals.

Our groups have given the tour high praise for content and presentation. We have many return groups, some, like Crescent Academy, have returned for three straight years!

We are always in need of volunteer docents to shepherd the children through this new and exciting program. We provide training and handbooks to all docents.

BIBS