Young Botanists
Young Botanists Art Series | Foundation – Year 2
Free extension opportunities for high-ability students supported by the Department of Education’s Student Excellence Program.
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is a proud partner of the Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series which provides opportunities for high-ability Victorian Government School students to participate in the creative Young Botanists Art Series (Years F-2).
Young Botanist Art Series | Foundation – Year 2
The Young Botanists Art Series is an Early Years program that immerses students in the worlds of art and science through hands-on exploration and creative expression.
Designed for Foundation to Year 2 students, the program offers Government School students the opportunity to interact with specialist scientists, such as mycologists, botanists, and ecologists as they explore scientific concepts inspired by the natural world.
Students will also participate in experiential, hands-on art activities led by passionate artists. These creative sessions support students to make sense of their new scientific learnings through imagination, play, and expression.
The program is delivered in either a morning or afternoon session:
- 10:15–11:45am
- 12:45–2:15pm
Students must be accompanied by a teacher, parent or carer. The program is delivered by experienced Learning Facilitators.
Program Availability
- Delivered in person at the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
- Available on selected dates
- Designed for high-ability students (Foundation–Year 2)
Students Will
- Interact with expert artists and scientists
- Engage with the living collections of the Botanic Gardens
- Use their senses to explore, observe, and discover
- Consolidate their learning through open-ended creative art activities
Key Focus Areas
- Hands-on, experiential learning
- Scientific observation and exploration
- Creative and expressive arts
Program Outline
Incredible Invertebrates
Tuesday 17 March: 10:15 - 11:45 or 12:45 - 2:15 (Duration 1.5 hours)
Explore the Melbourne Gardens and discover the small but mighty invertebrates that play a vital role in healthy ecosystems.
Students will hear from an invertebrate expert, learning about invertebrate features and the important role they play in the survival of our ecosystem.
Working alongside an artist, children will be invited to draw and sketch, helping them consolidate their new learning, observations and curiosities through creative expression.
Incredible Invertebrates – School Holiday Edition
Wednesday 8 April: 10.15am - 11:45am or 1pm - 2:30pm (Duration 1.5 hours)
These school holidays, come and explore the Melbourne Gardens and discover the hidden world of small but mighty invertebrates. Learn all about the tiny creatures that play a big role in keeping our ecosystems healthy and thriving!
Children will meet a real invertebrate expert and learn about their unique features and the important roles they play in nature.
Working alongside an artist, young explorers will draw, sketch, and get creative, capturing their observations, questions, and discoveries. This hands-on experience blends the worlds of science and art, sparking curiosity and wonder in one of Melbourne’s most beautiful garden settings.
Children must be enrolled in a Government School in years Foundation to Year 2 and be accompanied by an adult.
Sale – Regional Young Botanist Program
Tuesday 28th of April 10.15am - 11.45am and 12.45pm - 2.15pm
More details coming soon.
Fantastic Fungi
Wednesday 10 June: 10:15 - 11:45 or 12:45 - 2:15 (Duration 1.5 hours)
Engage your students in the fascinating world of fungi through art- and science-based experiences at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.
Students will meet a mycologist, hear captivating stories and explore real-life specimens of fungi, gaining insight into this often-hidden world.
Children will be inspired by the wonders of mycology and invited to deepen their understanding through creative art-making.
Guided by an experienced artist, students will express their new learning through hands-on creative practices, encouraging curiosity, observation and imagination.
Spring Seeds
Tuesday 18 August: 10:15 - 11:45 or 12:45 - 2:15 (Duration 1.5 hours)
Inspire your students through the wonderful world of seeds with engaging Art and Science experiences.
Spend time with a Seed Ecologist and discover the incredible variety of seeds and the amazing “superpowers” that help them grow and survive.
Children will then bring their discoveries to life through hands-on art activities, guided by an experienced artist, creating a seed-inspired artwork to take home. This program combines curiosity, creativity, and exploration, helping students see the tiny wonders of nature in a whole new way.
Young Botanists Term 4
Tuesday 20 October 10:15pm - 11:45pm or 12:45pm - 2:15pm (Duration 1.5 hours)
More details coming soon.
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria acknowledges the support of the Department of Education, Victoria, through the Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series. Eligible schools may apply for additional funding for transportation and CRTs via the Department of Education.