School and Group Programs at the Muttart Conservatory

Please note: if you are booking a program for January 2024 or later, changes and updates will be included in programs to meet the new Alberta Curriculum. Some have new content and new names, but are the same great programs!

At Muttart Conservatory, we take a fun, interactive approach to learning within our living laboratory. Our hands-on school programs are sure to complement your curriculum objectives! Where else can you travel from the deepest, darkest jungle, to a desert oasis, to a shady forest retreat and still be home for lunch?

School/Groups Program Package

Programs

Preschool Plant and Play (Preschool)

Grades: Preschool
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Fee: $210

Program Information Package

Take a sensory journey through our pyramids! Students’ senses will be tingling as they
learn how a variety of spectacular plants use colour, shape and texture to survive in
different conditions. Experience the changing seasons and move your body like the
plants as they grow. Students will flex their green thumbs by planting a colourful
seedling to take home.

Little Ladybugs and Friends (Preschool - Grade 3)

Grades: Preschool - Grade 3
Program Length: 1.5 or 2 hours
Fee: $225
Availability: September-October, February-June

Program Information Package

Get to know all about ladybugs and beneficial insects at the Muttart Conservatory. Discover the importance of ladybugs through games and activities. You'll top this fabulous program off by potting a plant to take home in honour of our insect friends.

Note: this program cannot guarantee live ladybugs due to supply shortages.

Christmas Around the World (Preschool - Grade 3)

Grades: Preschool - Grade 3
Program Length: 1.5 or 2 hours
Fee: $225
Availability: November 29 - December 24

Program Information Package

‘Tis the season to enjoy the spirit of the upcoming holidays! Poinsettias, Christmas trees, ginger, frankincense and myrrh– so many plants play an important part in Christmas traditions. Students will see and smell many of these important plants as they discover Christmas traditions from around the world. Each student will pot a plant to add some life to the classroom or home!

Colours and Textures (Kindergarten - Grade 1)

Grades: Kindergarten - Grade 1
Program Length: 1.5 or 2 hours
Fee: $210

Program Information Package

Take a sensory adventure through our pyramids! Students will journey through rich colours, mesmerizing shapes, and patterned textures, to learn how plants
survive in extreme conditions. Hunt for the colours of the rainbow in the pyramids as you learn all about creating colour and its importance in the natural world. Students will flex their green thumbs by potting a colourful seedling to take home.

Smarty Plants (Grades 1-3)

Grades: 1-3
Program Length: 2 hours
Fee: $210

Program Information Package

Explore the genius of the botanical world as we discover survival strategies that plants use to live in tropical jungles, temperate forests, and deserts around the world. Students will learn about plant parts, explore the pyramids to see amazing specimens, and work together to determine the needs of plants. Their new knowledge will come in handy when they plant their own seedling to care for at home.

Budding Botanists (Grades 4-6)

Grades: 4-6
Program Length: 2 hours
Fee: $210

Program Information Package

What have plants ever done for us? Food, medicine, fuel, and shelter – these are just a few vital resources that we can thank plants for! As “botanists-in-training”, your students will participate in a variety of activities that reinforce the importance of plants to humans, teach them the purpose of different plant parts, and help them to discover amazing plant adaptations. Your botanists will continue their research with their very own seedling that they pot and take home.

Ecosystems and Adaptations (Grades 7-9)

Grades: 7-9
Program Length: 2 hours
Fee: $225

Program Information Package

Discover the ecosystems that lie under Muttart’s glass pyramids! Students will get their hands dirty as they test soil moisture, temperature and pH, along with air temperature and humidity, in order to determine the differing needs of plants in tropical, desert, and temperate ecosystems. We’ll review plant parts, discover plant adaptations to different environments, and see plants that are important for human use. To tie this program together, students will determine which of the pyramids our mystery plants would thrive in, as well as pot a plant to take home.

High School Classes

For high school students, please contact our bookings team and let us know what you are interested in learning about as part of a program/tour for your class and we will do our best to deliver an experience that engages your students. Please contact us at artsattractionsbookings@edmonton.ca with your request.

DIY Terrariums

Program Length: 1.5 hours
Fee: $50

Join us at the Muttart for a fun evening building your own plant terrarium and touring our pyramids! Learn how terrariums work and create your own unique environment with creative additions for your plants! Bring a friend and try something new at our adult-only evenings. Register at MoveLearnPlay.

Adult Guided Tour

For non-school adult groups
Program Length: 1 hour
Fee: $215

Join a knowledgeable interpreter for a guided tour of the gems of Muttart Conservatory’s plant collection. You’ll explore the lush plant life of the tropical pyramid, discover unique plant adaptations in the arid pyramid, and enjoy the changing of the seasons in the temperate pyramid. Tours can accommodate up to 20 individuals, include facility admission, and can be booked during weekday opening hours.

Booking Checklist

Please be prepared with the following information to make your booking:

Program name

2-3 potential program dates

School mailing address, including postal code, school telephone number, and fax number

Contact name and names of teachers for all classes being booked

Email address(es) of teacher(s) booking and attending the program

Number of students attending

Number of supervisors

Special needs / accessibility arrangements

Name and cell phone number of on-site contact person for programs at your school

Fees and Payment

The amount owing is shown on your program booking confirmation letter and/or email. Payment is required prior to the program start date. Invoices are sent out by the City on the first of each month. You will receive your invoice in the same month as your program runs. For example: for a May booking, your invoice will be issued May 1. Payment can be made by cheque, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Please have cheques made payable to the City of Edmonton and write your booking confirmation numbers on your cheques.

Credit card payment can be made over phone by calling 311.

Mail cheques to:
Citizen Services Payment Processing
PO Box 2359
19th Floor, Edmonton Tower
Edmonton AB, T5J 2R7

Group Size

The maximum number of students permitted in a program is 30. Groups exceeding 30 students must book an additional program.

Adults are required to remain with their group and supervise participating students at all times during the program. Adult supervisors are admitted free of charge with the program in the following ratios:

Pre-school (3-4 years): 1 adult per 3 students

Kindergarten - Grade 6: 1 adult per 5 students

Grades 7-12: 1 adult per 10 students

Additional adults and students/siblings exceeding these ratios will be asked to pay facility admission fees and tour the facility on their own. Additional participants can rejoin their group after the registered program ends. To ensure a high quality program, we recommend that all students participating are within the age range advertised for the program.

Program Adjustments and Cancellations

All adjustments and cancellations must be provided in writing via email to:

Programs run rain or shine

Cancellations with 8-30 days' notice are subject to a fee of 50% of the program cost

Programs cancelled with less than 7 days' notice will be charged the full program fee

School and Group Programs at the Muttart Conservatory

Programs

Program Customization

Book Your School or Group Program

Booking Checklist

Fees and Payment

Group Size

Program Adjustments and Cancellations

Attractions Program Survey

Other School and Group Programs

For More Information

School/Group Program Reservations Office