Education




Learning is at the heart of virtually every program of Fairchild
Tropical Botanic Garden. Educational opportunities are
available for all ages, including general and specialized
audiences, locally and around the world.

School Programs*

Explorer Program
Children and teachers enjoy interactive, hands-on field studies,
a narrated tram tour, and plant their own botanical souvenir.
Learn more>>

Discovery Guided and Self-Guided Programs

Facilitated activity stations serve as the focal point for a unique learning
experience at Fairchild. Teachers use the Discovery stations as a basis
to explore science, art and technology. Learn more>>

*Programs are offered to schools only from October through May.

The Fairchild Challenge
for Middle Schools and High Schools

Designed for students of diverse interests, abilities, talents, and backgrounds, the Fairchild Challenge is Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's environmental education outreach program for middle and high schools. With separate but parallel programs for grades 6 to 8 and 9 to 12, it is composed of multidisciplinary competitions aligned with Sunshine State Standards benchmarks. This free annual program is open to all schools in the Greater Miami area. Last year more than 40,000 students from 102 schools participated. Learn more>>

Teacher Professional Development

Teacher training accredited through Miami-Dade County Public Schools includes intensive summer courses, in-service and Saturday training programs carried out during the school year.Learn more>>

Adult Education


Continuing Education (non-credit)

More than 150 classes are offered annually. These classes highlight horticulture, conservation and the environment of South Florida as well as art, cuisine and natural history. Programs also include tours to the Everglades, Florida Keys and other environmentally significant sites. Courses emphasize local gardening and other popular interests such as botanical art and landscape design. Learn more>>

Graduate Studies

Fairchild has graduate programs leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees awarded by local universities, Florida International University and the University of Miami. Graduate students carry out thesis research with an FTBG researcher in various areas of tropical botany. Learn more>

Research Seminars

Technical seminars (lectures) are presented occasionally by local and visiting scientists. These present recent research results in the botanical sciences and are free to students, enthusiasts and professionals.


Professional, Specialized and University Courses
Fairchild offers professional training in Florida botany and horticulture, with courses on topics such as plant propagation, taxonomy, botanical documentation, and conservation of endangered species.

Cooperative relationships with Florida International University (FIU) and the University of Miami (UM) allow Fairchild botanists and FIU/UM faculty to serve as research scientists for both institutions, and several university classes are taught at Fairchild. Other university-level courses offered at Fairchild include courses by senior faculty of the University of Florida.


Community Outreach

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is actively involved in reaching out beyond garden walls to the citizens of Miami-Dade. Fairchild staff members present lectures to various groups, and bring display materials to community fairs and events throughout the year. Fairchild collaborates with several other partner environmental organizations, non-profit groups, and educational institutions in Miami-Dade.
Learn More>>

Volunteering

If you are interested in volunteering in the Fairchild's Education-Center for Teaching and Learning, please contact Arlene Ferris at 305.667.1651 x 3314 or Sandy Schoenfeldt (ext. 3324). You may also send an email to aferris@fairchildgarden.org or sschoenfeldt@fairchildgarden.org to find out more about becoming an Education-Center for Teaching and Learning volunteer.