1. Vice President Education and Information
Welcome to
The Morton Arboretum!
Sue Wagner
Vice President Education and Information

2. Welcome to the Morton Arboretum!

3. The Morton Arboretum Education Program
Opportunities to engage in STEM education:
Field trip programs K-12 incorporate NGSS and emphasize authentic science inquiry
MACGYVERS
Summer Science Camp
STEM Field Trips and internships
Teacher Professional Development
Digital resources, bins. . .
Founded Ed program in 1940s by May T Watts, renowned naturalist and inquiry based educator.
Our mission is to collect and study trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world.
The Arboretum maintains living collections on display across naturally beautiful landscapes for people to study and enjoy, and to learn how to grow them in ways that enhance the environment.

4. K-12 Field Trips
Field trips are NGSS aligned for students Pre-K to 12th grade
Guided and self-guided field trip programs
Half- and full day field and lab programs
Pre- and post-visit resources available at mortonarb.org
Tree Lab (Grades 4-8): Students will uncover a tree’s anatomy and unique adaptations. In addition they will identify the environmental stresses these powerful producers overcome to survive. This lab utilizes iPad microscopes.
Aquatic Ecosystem (Grades 6-8): In this full day field and lab program, students collect and interpret data to determine ecosystem health. Using iPad microscopes, Students examine macro-invertebrates (water bugs), and aquatic vegetation, take observation photos. Teachers can monitor data collection and facilitate analysis using Google Sheets during the lab and afterwards

5. Youth Science Outreach Program
Provides field trip and classroom outreach programming at no cost to participating classrooms
Assists with transportation costs
Tiered approval based on school low-income rate and application.
3,339 students participated in the program.

6. Teacher Professional Development
Adult Education classes in tree identification, field ecology and botany. CPDH credits available.
Teacher Institute Day in partnership with the DuPage Regional Office of Education
ENTICE workshops in partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Project Learning Tree Workshops

7. Resource Materials for Teachers
The Morton Arboretum provides free resources for teachers to borrow and implement in their classroom instruction. Each NGSS-aligned bin contains materials, tools and lessons to bring environmental education alive in their classroom. Bins are organized by grade-level and are aligned with current field trip offerings.
Tree-rific Tree Bin (Grades PreK-2)
Animal Discovery Bin (Grades 2-4)
Itty-Bitty Science Bin (Grades 3-5)
Field Ecology Bin(Grades 6-8)
Tree Census Bin(Grades 6-12)
Make a reservation online at: mortonarb.org/learn-experince/educators/classroom-items-loan.

8. Additional Classroom Resources
Illinois Department of Natural Resource Loan Trunks
Tree Tag Kits
Arbor Day Lesson Plans and Activities

9. Where do you go for more information?
The Morton Arboretum Education Program
K-12 Field Trips
Teacher resources
Student opportunities
We appreciate Exelon, ComEd, Nicor, and BP for corporate support of the Arboretum’s Education programming.

10. Be a Summer Science Camp Instructor!
Seeking enthusiastic educators to lead our outdoor summer science camps!
Available from June-mid-August
Apply online at: