Our heartfelt thanks to the following sponsors
of the Natural Science Classroom environmental education programs:
Foundations:
Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation
Pleasant Hill Community Foundation
Thomas J. Long FoundationCorporations/Utilities/Government/Civic Organizations:
Cities of Pleasant Hill, Martinez, San Ramon, Antioch & Oakley
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Constellation Energy
Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority
Dow Chemical
Kiwanis Club of San Ramon Valley
Year of the volunteer VIDEO
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Available Classes
CLICK HERE FOR OUR PRESCHOOL PROGRAM "TERRIFIC TUESDAYS"
BUG BUDDIES
Peek into the amazing world of insects, the most successful life form on the planet. Young entomologists will observe and handle live mini-beasts to experience a bug's life, learn about creature features, and test their bug IQ.
60 minute session/$120
Grades K-3
COLONIAL GARDENS
Travel back in time to discover the foods, games, chores and customs of colonial children and the surprising origin of some familiar plants. Includes a plant and traditional craft.
60 minute session/$120
Grades 3-5
DO THE ROT THING: SOILS & COMPOSTING
Dig in and investigate the secrets of soil as we learn the "rotten truth" about decomposition, solve a compost critter mystery, cook up a compost experiment and discover our role in conserving this precious resource.
60 minute session/$50 (Partially funded by your city or Waste Authority)
Limited programs available.
Grades K-5
ESSENTIAL ECOLOGY – KEYSTONE SPECIES
Students learn about keystone species and their influence on the structure of an ecosystem by investigating an environmental problem.
60 minute session/$120
Grades 3-7
FROM OUR GARDEN TO YOURS
Students cultivate their very own garden experience by planting a wildlife garden. The ecological lesson focuses on structure and function of plants, the nutrient cycle, pollination, and wildlife habitat. Plants and seeds will be provided.
60 minute session/$120
Grades K-5
GEOLOGY ROCKS!
Learn to read stories hidden in stone as we meet a famous rock group (igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary), take a spin on the rock cycle, bone up on fossils, and discover rocky resources we rely on everyday.
60 minute session/$120
Grades K-5
HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY PLANET
Students learn about health, nutrition and the environment. By understanding the benefits of developing healthy and sustainable eating habits, students will acquire the knowledge that they are in control of their own impact on the planet.
60 minute session/$120
Grades K-5
NATURE DETECTIVES
We’ll awaken our senses and sharpen our observation skills to become super sleuths. As we explore the pond and follow clues like tracks and scat, we'll learn about the plants and animals that share our urban habitat.
60 minute session/$120
Grades K-3
NATIVE PLANTS, NATIVE PEOPLE
With artifacts, games, stories, and crafts we’ll bring the past alive and discover how the first Californians used native plants.
2 hour session/$150
Grades 3-5
I was a kid living there in a park a long time ago. Eiman
SENSORY GARDEN
Through this sensory exploration of the garden we’ll investigate how the smells, shapes, textures and colors of plants help them to survive. Classes will receive a plant to take back to school.
60 minute session/$120
Grades K-3
WATER WIZARDS
Take a ride on the water cycle, explore the trail of water from our homes to the Bay, solve the mystery of cleaning wastewater, and learn how to protect this precious resource. Includes teacher resource binder, water education computer programs, and kits for students.
60 minute session/FREE to schools in Central Contra Costa
Grades 3 - 5
Limited programs available
Sponsored by Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
WET & WILD: EXPLORING CREEKS AND PONDS
“Dip” into our creek and pond to investigate the hidden lives of some amazing plants and animals. We’ll discover how these creatures adapt to underwater life, and learn how we can protect the health of aquatic habitats.
60 minute session/$120
Grades 2-5
WETLAND SURVEY
Explore freshwater ecosystems and learn about the role they play in providing critical habitat to terrestrial ad aquatic life.
The students will gain important team-building skills while learning and executing basic survey techniques to collect, analyze and present data.
90 minute session/$150
Grades 4-8
WONDERFUL WORMS
Through experiments and observation, we’ll investigate the hidden life of this fascinating recycler and create a classroom worm bin.
60 minute session/$50 (Partially funded by your city or Waste Authority).
Limited programs available.
Grades K-5
PROGRAMS AVAILABLE BY REQUEST
MAGIC OF MONARCHS
Learn about insect adaptation and life cycles as we discover the fascinating life of a Monarch. Meet a caterpillar, and create your own butterfly. Classes receive seeds to start their very own butterfly garden.
60 Minutes/$120
Grades K-3
SEED SECRETS
Learn about the parts of seeds and flowering plants, the functions of each part, and the importance of seeds in the life cycle of a plant. Students develop their observation and record keeping skills by conduction a scientific investigation.
60 Minutes/$120
Grades K-3
SEWER SCIENCE
Learn about local wastewater treatment using specially designed tanks, analytical equipment, and a student workbook. The curriculum integrates chemistry, physics and microbiology while raising questions regarding pollution prevention, technology, and municipal issues. This program will excite your students about water science and introduce students to careers in the wastewater field.
5-day session format/FREE
Grades 9 -12
BOOKING INFORMATION
We are proud to have provided hands-on science and environmental education for school and youth groups since 1984. Each year our Natural Classroom reaches more than 12,000 students. Ready to book your program? E-mail us!
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Natural Science Classroom (NSC) offers a wide variety of science and environmental education programs for students of all ages and abilities. Each program includes an interactive presentation, hands-on activities and teacher resource materials.
Our programs are designed to support your classroom curriculum and align with the current California Science and Social Science Content Standards. Our goal is to provide your students with sensory and scientific explorations that build science skills and knowledge, and create a deeper appreciation and understanding of the natural world.
NSC classes are offered either in your school classroom or in our gardens (Field Trip Classes).
HOW TO SCHEDULE A PROGRAM
To schedule a program, please call our Education Office at (925) 947-6712 or email us. Enrollment is limited; please call early for the best selection of dates.
Reserving a Date
Call to reserve a date & time for your program. To confirm your reservation, please send your payment within 30 days of receiving your invoice. A separate reservation is required for each class – we cannot accommodate groups combined from different classes. Self-guided tours are welcome to visit the Gardens after 3 p.m. by prior arrangement.
Special Programs
Our programs can be tailored to meet the needs, interests and abilities of any group, including home-school programs, day-care classes and scout troups. Let us know if your students have special needs, or if there is a special emphasis you would like during the program.
Cancellations/Rescheduling
Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel your reservation. Program fees will be refunded if cancellations are made at least three weeks prior to your reserved date. In the case of inclement weather, programs will be held indoors or rescheduled if possible.
Transportation Surcharge
Due to rising fuel costs, we are now adding a transportation surcharge for all school visits that are greater than 10 miles from our location. These charges are based upon current IRS reimbursement rates and actual mileage from The Gardens at Heather Farm and your school. Please inquire at registration.
Financial Aid
In order to make our programs accessible to all students, a limited number of scholarships are available upon request.
Scheduling Guidelines
- Maximum group size is 35 students; please do not combine classes.
- A minimum of two programs is required for school visits.
- Our instructors cannot make room changes between presentations.
- Classroom teachers must remain in the classroom at all times.
- All field trips require one adult for every five children.
- Teachers and chaperones are responsible for students at all times.
Pick Your Format
- Classroom Docents
Trained docent(s) will come to your classroom to present course material. Each program includes an interactive presentation, hands-on activities and resource materials.
- Field trip Programs
Your class will travel to our facilities in Walnut Creek where trained docents will offer an interactive presentation, hands-on activities and resource materials.
