Life Lab offers garden-based field trips for Elementary school students
At Life Lab’s Garden Classroom, on the UCSC Farm
When: Field trips begin at 10 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.
Fall Farm to Fork Field Trips: 1st grade - 4th grade. No programs Fall 2023
Winter Feeling Fine with Fresh Food Nutrition Field Trips: 3rd-5th grades. Thursdays, January-March. Accepting sign-ups still for Winter!
Spring Science Exploration Field Trips: 1st-4th grades. Tuesdays & Thursdays, Mid-April-Mid-June.
Capacity: 1 class maximum per visit (20-30 students).
*At this time we are only offering our limited field trip slots to schools from
Santa Cruz City Schools and Live Oak School District.*
Cost: Field Trips are Free.
More Info:
Field trip visitor information (confirmation materials, parking information, daily agenda)
For more information, please contact Grace Greenfield, Garden Classroom Coordinator, by calling 831-459-4035 or email grace@lifelab.org
Fall Farm to Fork Field Trips
For 1st grade through 4th grade students.
This program helps students to make the important connection between farms and the food on their dinner table.
Farm to Fork Field Trips include:
• Hands-on Exploration of the 25-acre UCSC Farm Explore a organic flower and vegetable farm • Harvest and sample the six plant parts-roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits & seeds • Participate in apple investigations and tastings in the orchard • Gain an appreciation for the different varieties & uses of corn
Activities in the Garden Classroom
• Harvest celebration, where students make and taste corn tortillas & apple cider • Visiting chickens, honey bees, composting worms, and other garden learning sites
Winter Feeling Fine with Fresh Food Nutrition Field Trips
For 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students.
This program helps students to make the important connection between their health and the foods they choose. The activities prepare students to make informed decisions about what they eat.
Field Trips Include:
• Nutrition Activities in the Garden Classroom • Find out how eating a rainbow of fruits & vegetables keeps our body systems working • Learn how to create a balanced meal or snack • Harvest and cook “Stone Soup” and enjoy it with your lunch.
Hands-on Exploration of the 25 acre UCSC Farm
• Explore an organic vegetable and flower farm • Discuss the seasonality of food • Learn about the value of eating fresh and local
Spring Science Exploration Field Trips
For 1st through 4th graders.
Our Spring Science Exploration field trips have been designed to be in line with NGSS.
All programs include:
• Garden-based science exploration stations
• A hands-on exploration of the UCSC Farm
• Visiting with our chickens and observational bee hive
Pondering Plants - Grade 1 Come explore the garden and discover how different types of roots and leaves help the plant grow and survive.
Garden Pollinators - Grade 2 Birds, butterflies, and other creatures are essential visitors to the garden. Come explore the relationships between plants and pollinators and learn how they depend on each other.
Life Cycles in the Garden - Grade 3 Come investigate life cycles in the garden, where we can find plants and animals in all ages & stages! From seed to sunflower, egg to butterfly and back again, we'll look into how life cycles work.
Fabulous Functions - Grade 4 Dig into photosynthesis, plant and animal parts and how they help these living things survive.