Programs
Click through the tabs to the left to find out more about the outreach programs offered at the UT Gardens, Knoxville.
| Program | Cost |
|---|---|
| Field Trips | $10 per participant |
| Scout Programs | $10 per participant |
| Guided Tours | $8 per participant |
| Parking Passes | $10 per vehicle |
| All Other Programs | Dependent on the program |
Field Trips
We develop programs that engage students with the world around them by practicing the skills of observation and communication, attitudes of curiosity and responsibility, and knowledge of plant-people-ecosystem relationships.
These are typically 2-hour programs in which the group tours the Gardens and participates in a lesson for their age/grade. Most programs include students taking home a plant to grow either from seed sowing or transplanting.
Flexible timing and adaptable lessons | $10 per participant (limited scholarships available- reach out for more details)
Must schedule at least one month in advance.
With advance notice, we can typically accommodate up to 200 students in a program.
Sample schedule:
| 9:45-10:00 am | Arrival at UT Gardens |
| 10:00am-noon | Guided field trip (visit gardens, do hands-on activities, planting to take home, etc.) |
| Noon-12:45pm | Lunch at UTG, pick-up at 12:45pm |
Topics include but are not limited to the following:
- Parts of a plant
- Food webs
- Plants as food
- Seasonal changes (phenology)
- Photosynthesis and plant cells
- Plant-animal interactions (i.e., pollinator preferences with flowering plants, seed spreading, etc.)
- Water in the ecosystem
- Nutrient cycling
- Data collection, interpretation, and communication
- Careers in the green industry (plant-related jobs!)
- Art
- Geography (i.e., cultural influences in garden design and similar growing conditions across latitude and other factors)
Scout Programs
These are typically 1-2-hour programs in which the group tours the Gardens and/or participates in an activity or project related to gardening, the ecosystem, and/or the environment.
Flexible timing and adaptable projects | $10 per participant
Guided Tours
These are guided walks through the UT Gardens, Knoxville, and can be as focused or as general as participants would like.
Time dependent on group preference (generally 45 minutes for an overview of the Gardens) | $8 per participant
Other Programs
Would the UT Gardens be a perfect addition to your event? We would love to have an opportunity to set up a table at your event or even provide a guest speaker for your organization! Have a different idea in mind? We are open to hear new ways to share the best garden-related information our state has to offer with the public!
Parking
If you attend a program at the UT Gardens, you may be required to purchase a parking pass. This helps us make sure we have enough parking for visitors and program participants. Please let us know how many parking passes you will need at least 2 weeks before your program. After that time, there is no guarantee that you will have convenient parking available.
Note: Parking is extremely limited at the University of Tennessee. Field trips may be asked to limit participants to school buses only.
Want to know more about parking on campus? Visit the parking website here.
Policies
Programs are conducted rain or shine. We may cancel due to inclement weather; contact us for more information regarding your specific program.
If you eat lunch at the Gardens, you must provide your own trash bag. Prior to leaving the Gardens, tie the bag and leave it at the Friendship Pavilion.
Buses may not park on campus. Contact us for alternative options.
Chaperones may only attend if riding the school bus.
Are you interested in a UT Gardens field trip, garden tour, scout program, or having a UT Gardens staff member be a guest speaker for your class or club? If so, then please fill out this form, which will enable us to get back to you with the most appropriate information in a timely manner.
We are aware of the issues in submitting the form below. If you get an error message, please try to click on the submit button a second time. You can also email whitneyhale@tennessee.edu with questions.