Virtual Field Trips
Reservation inquiries for the 2022-23 school year are now closed. Inquiries for the 2023-24 school year will open in August.
Bring a bit of nature into your classroom! Our Naturalists are ready to connect with your students virtually to encourage exploration and understanding of the outdoors. We offer lessons for all grades, whether you are learning at-home or in school.
All sessions include:
- pre-field trip background video(s)
- live ecology lesson
- meeting an ambassador animal
- live Q&A with your Naturalist
- post-field trip reflection activity
DETAILS
Group Size: Up to 30 students, 1-2 teachers and assistants
Teachers must be present for duration of the program
Duration: 45-minute sessions, flexible start times
Available: 9:30 am – 3 pm, Tuesday – Friday by reservation only
Cost: $100
Virtual Platform: Zoom Meeting hosted by Houston Arboretum, co-hosted by Teacher
Complete the Virtual Field Trip Request Form below to begin your reservation.
THEMES
A Habitat is a Home
Learn how and where living things meet their needs. We’ll examine each element of a habitat and see how we create a home for our animal ambassadors. (Grades K-2)
Nature’s Recyclers
Investigate how nature recycles nutrients through the process of decomposition. Children will meet some of the organisms that work on the decomposer team. (Grades 1-3)
Pleased to Eat You!
Follow the energy of the sun on a pathway through producers, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and decomposers in a food chain. Students will get to observe one of our animal ambassadors being fed and discuss their role in the food web. (Grades 3-5)
Creature Features
Discover adaptations that help organisms survive. While meeting our animal ambassadors, students will identify and compare adaptive characteristics of organisms. (Grades 3-5)
EcoExplorers
Identify ways that organisms live and survive in their ecosystem by interacting with the living and non-living elements. Students will explore woodland, savanna, prairie, and wetland habitats to compare physical characteristics and how they support biological communities. Great STAAR review! (Grades 4-5)
FAQ
VIRTUAL PLATFORM
Virtual field trips will be held in a Zoom meeting hosted by the Houston Arboretum. A private link to the meeting will be sent for use in classrooms and by at-home learners. Teachers are encouraged to schedule a technology review with us to familiarize themselves with the Zoom environment before the field trip.
SCHEDULING A PROGRAM
Please ensure that your Field Trip request has been pre-approved by your educational institution before scheduling.
STUDENT COUNT
An accurate count of attending students is required before submitting a scheduling request.
CHAPERONES
Teachers must be present for the duration of the program.
RESCHEDULING
Rescheduling requests are addressed at the Houston Arboretum’s availability and discretion. Rescheduling a confirmed program 0-14 days prior to your scheduled date will result in a rescheduling fee of $25.00.
CANCELLATIONS AND NO-SHOW POLICY
Program fees are non-refundable.
PAYMENT
Payment is required in advance and in full. Accepted forms of payment are organizational check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. All checks must be made payable to: Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Questions about payment policies? Please view our School Program Payment Policy (pdf).
QUESTIONS?
