The Garden co-sponsors annually the Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest with the Non-game Endangered Wildlife Program, Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Any student in grades K-5 enrolled in a public, private or home-school is eligible to participate. Posters must portray Georgia non-game (not legally hunted, trapped or fished) wildlife interrelationships with plants. See this page for more information on the poster contest.

Science Night

Two Family Science Night kits (multiple copies) are presently available, each containing over 25 activities. Garden Earth Naturalists (GEN) and Our Share Forest (OSF) kits and science nights provide an effective way to draw the community and parents into schools. This "family science" approach introduces science concepts to students and their families though hands-on activities that allows families to work and learn together—a proven educational concept. For further information or to reserve a Family Science Night Kit, call 706-542-6156 or e-mail sbgeduc@uga.edu.

Family festivals engage broad and diverse audiences. Insect-ival is a "creepy, crawly, fun event" for the whole family. Learn about the fascinating world of insects and their value to mankind. Discovery stations, static displays, roach and beetle races, and the opportunity to hold live insect specimens intrigue children and adults. ForestFest focuses on forests and their importance. Through close encounters with live forest animals, displays, games and a variety of hands-on activities, children and their parents explore the temperate forests of Georgia and the tropical forests of South America. For further information and to see when the next festival is scheduled, go here.

Girl Scouts can earn Daisie, Brownie and Junior badges though special Botanical Garden programs. Programs are generally scheduled week-days from 3:30 to 5:00 pm. depending on staff availability. Interested Scout leaders should call 706-542-6156 or e-mail sbgeduc@uga.edu.

Environmental education activities at OASIS

The State Botanical Garden also offers environmental education programs off-site at OASIS, a Catholic mission near Athens serving a predominately Latino community. The primary goals of the program are to teach basic ecological principles, inspire children to be stewards of the natural environment, and to acculturate Latino children. For additional information, call 706-542-6156 or e-mail sbgeduc@uga.edu.

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Insect-ival