Southern Seeds
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is looking for an enthusiastic and diligent metro Atlanta teachers and students to help study and conserve rare native plant species. Over the course of 8 to 10 weeks, students will grow native seeds in their classroom and answer questions about germination and seed viability to help our scientists understand best practices for conservation through seed banking. The Garden will provide training and all materials necessary, working with the teacher throughout the process to integrate STEM concepts into their curriculum.
The Southern Seeds program will allow students to take direct action to protect and preserve native plants in addition to cultivating their own interest and experience with STEM related careers.
For questions regarding the Southern Seeds Program, please email Lorin Boren at lboren@atlantabg.org.
Requirements and Expectations:
- School must be Title I designated and located within 20 miles of the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
- Teachers and students of STEM-related subjects are preferred.
- Students observe, collect data and report findings weekly through an online form (average of 15 minutes per week)
- Students will present findings to Education and Conservation staff at the conclusion of the project.
- Pending school schedules and safety protocols, a Garden staff member will meet physically at the school or virtually to help introduce the project to students and again at the end of the project to help students organize and analyze their data.
- Students will be offered a free field trip to the Garden to see our conservation collection and micropropagation lab.
The program promotes:
- Critical thinking and collaborative problem solving
- Application of the scientific method and connection to STEM careers
- Hands on training in micropropagation and seed banking
- Increased access to remote learning opportunities for Title I students
- Equitable inclusion of underrepresented minorities in STEM