The Botanic Gardens Education Program offers interactive outdoor learning experiences and is curriculum aligned.
Topics range from exploring the Sensory Gardens to understanding the importance of biodiversity.
Themes include:
- indigenous perspectives
- conservation
- interdependence
- biodiversity
- sustainability.
Who is it for? Prep to Grade 12.
For class sizes of between 25 and 30 students (with teacher supervision), the program is free.
It is developed and delivered by the experienced environmental scientists and educators from Natura Pacific.
Students can interact with our:
- natural flora and fauna
- environment and heritage.
The program is developed to inspire a lifelong love of our environment, where students actively seek to learn about, and care for it.
Primary school lesson planning
For primary school students we offer 11 different lessons to choose from.
Learn more in the education brochure(PDF, 2MB) or refer to the table below.
Lessons are with the Gardens Education Officer. They run for 2 hours, at 10am and 12pm.
Class size limits are:
- early childhood – 25 students
- primary – 30 students.
High school lesson & workshop planning
High school programs are available in the learning areas of science, geography and history. These can be delivered as two-hour lessons or half day workshops.
Examples of half day workshops include:
- Freshwater ecosystems – a hands-on workshop about the complexities and importance of the health of our waterways and catchments. Students collect and test water samples for both chemical and biological properties. They then analyse and reflect on the results. Followed by an overall assessment of the waterways and their surrounding environments.
- Exploring plant communities – this interactive workshop introduces students to the incredible diversity and intricacies of the plant world. They experience first-hand many of the amazing adaptations that plants have made to survive and thrive. And how plants interact with and support the ecosystem in which they live.
- Biodiversity in the Gardens
Students are posed with two questions:
1. What is biodiversity?
2. Is it important?
The workshop involves activities, discussions and questioning that will guide students to the answers to both these questions. Students will also be introduced to scientific sampling techniques that will show them how the biodiversity of an area is assessed.
How to make a booking
Bookings are essential and available Tuesday to Friday.
Follow these steps:
- Complete this online booking request form.
Please note your request is not a confirmed booking.
- Your request will be attended to by the Education Officer within 10 working days, to confirm a day and time.
- On completion of your booking, the Gardens Education Office will forward a confirmation email and a teachers' information kit.
You can also call the Gardens Education Officer on 07 5576 5568 or email to BotanicGardens@goldcoast.qld.gov.au
The Rotary Education Pavilion can also be booked for educational activities only (no private social functions). You can see where the pavilion is located on the map below.
Botanical Gardens map of attractions(PDF, 174KB)
To book, complete this online booking form.
What teachers say about the program
Thinking about bringing your class to the Botanic Gardens for an excursion? See what other teachers had to say about their recent experiences:
"The Education Officer was well organised and knowledgeable about the content of the day. She presented the program well and had children engaged during the guided session. Children thoroughly enjoyed the day and plan to return with their families."
I. Sealy, Guardian Angels Primary School.
"The Education officer was very professional with a vast knowledge of the area and the history. She was able to deliver the program in a way that was engaging for the students. Thank you."
C. Massey, Mother Theresa Primary School.
"Always informative, educational and enjoyable for all ages. Suitable information and age appropriate."
S. Taylor, St Kevin's Primary School.
"The information was very useful and relevant to the curriculum. Thanks for showing us around this wonderful place."
S. Pillai, Benowa State School.
"The Education Officer was very comprehensive and knowledgeable in her delivery. The students were responsive and enjoyed learning about environmental issues and sustainability."
R. Bennett, Benowa State School.
Education program table
Year level |
Program |
ACARA link |
Prep |
Wow….This is ‘sense’sational!
Aussie plant environments |
Science: Science as a human endeavour
Science: Biological sciences |
1 |
Aussie plant environments
A place to explore |
Science: Biological sciences
Geography: Places and People |
2 |
Aussie plant environments
Incredible insects
Sustain our planet!
A place to explore |
Science: Biological sciences
Earth and space sciences
Science: Biological sciences
Science: Biological sciences
Earth and space sciences
Geography: People and Places |
3 |
Aussie plant environments
A place to explore |
Science: Biological sciences
Geography: Places and People |
4 |
Exploring plant communities
Incredible insects
Freshwater ecosystems
Surviving on nature |
Science: Biological science
Geography: Sustainability
Science: Biological science
Science: Science as human endeavour
Science: Biological science
Science: Science as human endeavour
Geography: Sustainability, Indigenous Perspectives |
5 |
Exploring plant communities
Freshwater ecosystems |
Science: Biological science
Geography: Sustainability
Science: Biological science |
6 |
Can biodiversity combat climate change?
Freshwater ecosystems
Sustain our planet!
Water catchment in an urbanised environment |
Science: Biological science
Science: Biological science
Science as a human endeavour
Science: Earth and space sciences
Geography: Sustainability, Indigenous perspectives
Science: Biological science |