Published Tuesday, June 30, 2026
On a sunny, cool spring afternoon, the Children’s Garden buzzed with energy. Waves of laughter, bursts of questions and the excitement of discovering something new filled the winding paths of the Children’s Garden.
Amid the energy, one student slowed down.
An educator noticed a third-grade student from a Columbus City Schools classroom lingering near the wetlands, completely absorbed in the unique plants that live in this ecosystem. With enthusiasm that was hard to miss, he began sharing what he already knew about carnivorous plants, especially pitcher plants, describing how they trap insects and survive in challenging environments. What began as a quiet moment quickly grew into something more. His excitement sparked curiosity in his classmates, and soon the conversation turned into a stream of questions. Each new answer led to another question, creating a series of small moments of discovery for this 3rd grade class.
These are the kinds of moments our School Programs are designed to create. Through hands-on, educator-led programming, students don’t just observe; they engage, ask questions and connect what they’re learning in the classroom to the world around them. This spring, each class also received a hands-on learning extension kit, complete with materials to build a terrarium and live isopods, helping ensure the experience continues after their visit.
But for this student, it already had. When he learned there was an entire program dedicated to carnivorous plants, his response was immediate. He was already planning to return, eager to learn more and ready to ask his teacher to come back next year just for the carnivorous plants school program.
From January through May, more than 14,200 students and educators visited the Conservatory through School Programs, with 300–500 students often exploring at once. Some traveled from nearby schools in Central Ohio, while others came from across the state. This year also marked an important step forward with the introduction of virtual school visits, connecting with classrooms that might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend in person and expanding access to these moments of discovery.
Each spring, the Conservatory comes alive in a very special way, not just with blooming flowers, but with the energy and excitement of thousands of young learners discovering the natural world around them. And while the numbers are impressive, it is often the small moments like these that remind us of the very real impact of School Programs.
With your support, these moments happen every day, inspiring a lasting connection between our community’s youngest learners and the world they are just beginning to explore.
