The Gardens provide a unique service to schools and colleges in the West Midlands and beyond. Pupils are fortunate in being able to experience a wide variety of environments in one place. They can walk straight from experiencing hot and humid tropical conditions into a desert climate and observe changes to plants due to the seasons.

The innovative education work at Birmingham Botanical Gardens has attracted much interest both nationally and internationally. It is recognised as a centre of excellence and has played a leading role in the development of education strategies at botanic gardens worldwide.

We are delighted to have been awarded a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge in recognition of our high quality education service.

News from the Study Centre

• Growing Schools Garden Temporary Closure
  From the end of November 2009 until the beginning of March 2010, the Growing Schools Garden will be temporarily closed to schools whilst building work is being carried out. Constructed using traditional techniques, the new straw bale building that is being erected, will be clad in lime daub internally and externally to provide a weather-proof structure. This new teaching and learning space will have views over the surrounding areas including the Stumpery, allowing observation of fauna and flora.
  

  Straw bale building under construction

• New CPD Programme for Teachers
  A brand new programme of CPD courses for teachers started last September at the Gardens' Study Centre. There is a range of themes including Developing School... read more »
• Special Rainforest Week
  600 school children of all ages have enjoyed the special rainforest week held in December. Tropical Inc were special guests who taught the children about the importance of rainforests with a range of live animals from creepy crawlies to birds, mammals and even snakes! Pupils enjoyed the rare opportunity to touch and hold some of the amazing creatures that Tropical Inc brought with them to help them to understand the different ways in which animals are adapted to different environments. To support the pupils' learning during their visit, they also spent time observing and learning about the diverse plant collection to be found at the Gardens; pupils studied the vibrant range of tropical rainforest plants such as cocoa, sugar cane and coffee and were able to make comparisons to plants from other world habitats. 

  Skye the genet, Incy Wincy the tarantula and Timone the meerkat all made an appearance!
  Dates announced for this year are Monday 6th to Friday 10th December 2010; further details to be announced nearer the time. Schools should telephone 0121 450 5093 to make a booking.

• Help Needed!
  Are you free during the daytime and like working with children? If so, the Gardens’ Study Centre is looking for new education volunteers to add to the current team. You must enjoy working outside in all weather and have the enthusiasm for teaching children about plants and the natural world. A basic plant knowledge is essential but we will give you the necessary training to be able to confidently lead a group of children and their teachers around the glasshouses and gardens. No two groups are ever the same and the schools are really grateful for any help that you are able to give them to bring the gardens alive. Please contact Tina van Zeller, Volunteer Co-ordinator for an informal chat on 0121 450 5093.  You will be required to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau (at no cost to yourself). Join the growing team of volunteers at Gardens and have fun!