Photo by shutterstock/Jacob Lund
Date
Available Sept. 29-Oct. 13, 2026
Times: 9:30-10:45 a.m. or 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Grade
PreK-1
Location: Learning Center
Fee
$235/class (max 3 classes, max 30 students/class)
Concepts and Activities
Experience the magic of Minnesota forests as summer turns to fall. Get up close and personal with decomposers (the forest’s recycling crew!) as they break down leaves and plants into rich soil.
- Enjoy an interactive puppet show about forest layers featuring the Talking Tree.
- Investigate live decomposers in action with hands-on discovery bins in the indoor learning lab.
- Take a guided hike through the beautiful Arboretum forest and make real-world connections in a diverse, ever-changing habitat.
2019 Minnesota State Science Standards
0L.1.2.1.2 Observe and compare plants and animals
0P.2.1.1.1 Sort natural objects by their characteristics
0L.2.1.1.3 Observe patterns in plant/animal needs for survival
1L.1.1.1.1 Comparing plants as they grow
1L.3.1.1.1. Modeling plant and animal needs and function