NTBG offers a wide range of educational courses. While courses have been integral to the Garden since its early years, beginning in 1999 the NTBG significantly expanded its education initiatives to include programs for teachers and professionals, and to expand its reach in the local schools. Course curriculums have been developed to interface with established standards of learning. Since that time, the NTBG has graduated more than 500 students from 40 states and 25 countries throughout the world, and has provided instruction to thousands of schoolchildren.
Keiki o ka `Āina - Nature Day Camp
Keiki o ka `Āina (KOKA) is a nature adventure day-camp offered for children ages 6-9 living on the island of Kaua`i. It provides a wide range of activities which primarily take place in NTBG's gardens in the Lawa`i Valley. The goal of the camp is to teach children about natural resources and culture through outdoor recreation that includes nature activities, environmental games, and garden exploration. KOKA is usually offered for one five-day session during the spring and at least one five-day session during the summer.
Garden As Classroom - Kaua`i gardens
The Garden As Classroom (GAC) Program provides opportunities for school children on the island of Kaua`i to study tropical plants. The course promotes enthusiasm and excitement for science and uses the extraordinary living collections of the NTBG. Curriculum is designed to closely match the content standards mandated by the Hawai`i Department of Education and NTBG Education staff work closely with teachers both in the classroom and in the garden. The course is currently held at NTBG’s Kaua`i gardens.
No files currently posted for this course
School Program - Kahanu Garden
The School Program at Kahanu Garden is offered by request to classroom groups from public and private schools throughout the State of Hawai`i. The course focuses on the botanical and cultural resources of the Garden. All visits are designed around the specific goals and needs of the individual class, working with the respective teacher(s). This program is available for all grades - preschool through college.
No files currently posted for this course
Junior Restoration Team
The Junior Restoration Team program builds on the fundamentals established in the Garden As Classroom program and takes conservation education to the next level of hands-on participation. This program brings middle and high school students to selected sites to participate in ecological restoration projects. The students come periodically throughout the school year to complete all phases of the restoration project. Emphasis is on teamwork: group problem-solving, cooperation on physically demanding tasks, and open discussion of the concepts and results. The program is currently held at NTBG’s Kaua`i gardens and preserves and other selected project sites.
Horticultural Internship Program
The Horticultural Internship Program is a work-study experience offered to college- and university-level students interested in horticulture, botany, ethnobotany, conservation, or science-related fields. The course covers a wide range of innovative topics and provides experience that will help guide students in making informed decisions regarding their future academic and career paths. Classes and practical experience are conducted at NTBG Headquarters, its Hawai`i gardens, and other appropriate sites. This internship is currently offered for late summer through fall each year.
Tropical Ethnobotany Course
The Tropical Ethnobotany Course explores field techniques of ethnobotany with an overview of tropical ethnobotany and botany. The focus is on practical techniques for ethnobotanical research, the role of plants in indigenous societies, interview techniques, and participatory observation skills. Successful completion of the course will qualify students for research expeditions in the Pacific Islands. This course is normally offered in the spring of each year.
No files currently posted for this course
Science Teachers' Enrichment Program
Science Teachers’ Enrichment Program enhances teachers’ knowledge of current information about tropical biology and equips them with innovative techniques using an inquiry-based approach, thus inspiring greater student interest in science education. Teachers construct instructional modules and devote significant time to preparing “science kits” consisting of classroom manipulatives and inquiry-based learning activities. The training is conducted in partnership with Kaua`i Community College of the University of Hawai`i system and is currently held at NTBG headquarters, its Kaua`i gardens, and other appropriate sites.
College Biology Professors’ Fellowship
The College Biology Professors’ Fellowship is designed to invigorate teaching in introductory biology classes at the undergraduate level. The course shows instructors how to use examples from tropical plants in discussing issues of form and function, evolution, and conservation. Fellows will develop teaching modules to be shared and implemented in the introductory biology classroom. The course is currently held at NTBG’s Florida garden, The Kampong, in May, June, or July of each year.
Environmental Journalism Fellowship
The Environmental Journalism Fellowship provides specialized working journalists in broadcast, print and online media much-needed information about tropical ecosystems, providing deep background in tropical ecology to enhance the accuracy of reporting on science and environmental issues. The focus of the fellowship is immersion and not advocacy. The course is currently held in late spring/early summer at NTBG headquarters, its Kaua`i gardens, and other appropriate sites.
Physicians’ Course
This course is for all physicians and health care professionals. The purpose of the course is to give important knowledge to the participants for the care of their patients, many of whom currently use herbal remedies derived from plants. Using The Kampong of the National Tropical Botanical Garden and its extraordinary living collections, the course will cover basics in botany, plant identification, medical botany, ethnobotanical approaches to new drug discovery, plant origins of pharmaceutical products, and case studies of common herbs.
Applications are in PDF Format. For more information on educational opportunities available with the NTBG please contact: education@ntbg.org
