Master Gardener Junior Gardener Program
Junior Gardener Program
The Junior Gardener program was originally designed to engage young learners in grades K-3 with environmental science and horticultural programs to complement Delaware State Science Education standards. Master Gardeners continue to offer this program in preschools and now, K-5, but they are also delighted to receive requests from homeschool groups, youth organizations, libraries, and “school’s out” and summer camps.
This program reaches about 1500 students each year through the efforts of the Master Gardeners, a group of experienced gardeners with additional training in home horticulture with an environmental sensitivity, as well as training in developing and using teaching materials and techniques specifically targeted toward young learners.
Complete and submit the application to request your program today!
Junior Gardener Program FAQs
Note: a “course” or “program” is a Master Gardener presentation. A “class” is one group or classroom of students at your school.
1. I am not in New Castle County. Can I still request a course?
Our charter requires us to limit our programming to New Castle County. You may wish to contact the Master Gardeners in your state/county to find out if they offer a similar program.
2. Are the same courses offered every spring and fall?
We generally are able to offer most of our courses every spring and fall. In addition, occasionally a program may be temporarily unavailable due to the presenter’s schedule or other commitments.
3. How do I sign up for courses?
There is a request form on the website which needs to be filled out and faxed or mailed to the extension office. You will need a separate request for each course you
request. The request form can be found on the same webpage as these FAQs.
4. How much time will it take to schedule a program?
After you submit a request form, allow one to two weeks for a Master Gardener instructor to contact you. If more than two weeks pass, contact the NCC Extension office at 831-2506.
5. What do I need to do with the students to prepare for the course?
The presenters may contact you ahead of time for preparation of handout materials that need to be ready by the time of the class. It may be helpful to speak with the presenter about how the Master Gardener course fits with science material that you are covering in your regular classroom curriculum.
6. Do I need to be in the classroom during the presentation?
Yes. Teachers, not Master Gardener presenters, are responsible for the children’s discipline, and the presenters may comment on follow-up to be done after the presentation.
7. What equipment will you need?
Equipment needs will vary depending on the course. You will need to speak with the presenter about what she/he needs for each course.
8. Can we plan on several classes meeting together?
Our experience is that more than one class is very difficult to manage for interactive courses. You will need to discuss this with the individual presenter as you agree on the timing for the presentation.
9. The grade level I teach is not shown for the program I would like my children to see. Can I still request it?
The presentations are designed for the class levels shown. If your grade level is not shown, you will need to talk with the Master Gardener presenter about the difference and if the program can be used with your grade level.
10. We are a small homeschool group that would like to request a Junior Gardener program; can we use Extension’s facilities for the program?
Yes. Once your instructor contacts you, you can discuss this possibility, as well as room availability, with the instructor.
11. Are the courses free?
Yes, all courses are free except where the brochure indicates a fee. A fee is only charged to cover materials for a particular program (e.g., “Taming the Wild Ivy”).
12. Why does “Taming the Wild Ivy” require a payment?
In this program, each child plants ivy in a pot and starts a topiary which he/she can take home. The fee covers the cost of these supplies.
13. Do Master Gardeners have any other programs for youth?
Yes, we support outdoor classrooms with technical assistance in planning and execution and have a small grant program. The Grant Request forms are on our website. You may also contact the NCC Extension office at 831-2506 for additional information.
Delaware Master Gardeners (MGs) is pleased to announce their Junior Gardener programs. MGs will come to you to engage young learners with environmental science and horticulture programs originally designed to complement Delaware State Science Education standards. Contact us right away to schedule a program for your group!
- Junior Gardener programs are FREE!
- Please read and complete the program request form. A MG instructor will contact you to schedule your program and discuss equipment needs.
- Each program is approximately 45-50 minutes in length unless otherwise indicated.
- It is necessary for teachers to be in the classroom to monitor the conduct of their students during the presentation. If a teacher is not present, the class will not be conducted. Please see Suggested Guidelines for Teachers.
Schedule a Program
Please complete the program request form linked above.
An instructor will contact you to schedule your program and discuss equipment needs.
Forms can be submitted via e-mail to Harolyn Temeng, htemeng@udel.edu
with the subject heading: "JG Request", by fax (302-831-8934) or mail it to:
Junior Gardener Program
UD Cooperative Extension
501 S. College Ave.
Newark, Delaware 19716
Program Options
The Buzz on Bees, recommended for Gr. 1-2; indoors; 45-50 minute program
Students will learn about the life cycle of honeybees, the pollination process, the many jobs that bees perform in a beehive, and the importance of bees to the environment. The amazing array of beekeeping tools, clothing and equipment will also be demonstrated. The importance of honeybees and other pollinating insects in our environment will be stressed. Since it is known that pollinating insects are at risk, conservation methods as simple as planting sunflowers and allowing some dandelions in a lawn will be suggested. Instructors: Sherie Stiles and Ellen Pell
Insect Detectives, recommended for Gr. 1-3; outdoors; 45-50 minute program
Students will explore the school grounds in search of insects, spiders, and other tiny creatures. Children will catch, identify, and record their finds using nets, specimen jars, and log sheets. Instructor: Sherie Stiles
Life Cycles of Butterflies, recommended for Gr. 2-3; indoors; one-hour program
Students will learn about the life stages of butterflies, and how structure and function differ with each stage. This program will compare and contrast monarchs with black swallowtails, spicebush swallowtails, and painted lady butterflies. Instructors: Ellen Hahn, Fred Mann, Ellen Pell, Sande Taylor, and Ed Vacek
The Living Tree House, recommended for Gr. K-1; indoors; 30-40 minute program; mornings preferred
Students will learn about the importance of trees for a healthy environment and for providing the food that we eat. The environmental aspects of this program include the use of wood products and the effects of trees on forest animals. The parts of a tree are reviewed and the class will play a mini-forest game. If time permits, the program concludes with drawing a tree with animals illustrating what they have learned. Instructor: Megan Grubbs and Melody Kasprzak (For this program only, we are piloting online sign up. After the program request form is submitted and reviewed, the instructors will contact you with a link to schedule this program online).
Suggested Guidelines for Teachers
Thank you for your interest in the Delaware Master Gardeners’ Junior Gardener Program. We are excited to come to your school because we thoroughly enjoy sharing our knowledge of nature with the kids.
To help ensure a successful program, we need your help! Your interest, and engagement, in the program is just as important as that of the kids. For this reason, we ask that you stay in the classroom and participate along with your students. It’s helpful if you’re paying attention, encouraging the kids to participate, and helping to manage any disruptions. If possible, set aside your phone/computer while your visitors are there.
We want your students to have the best possible experience. You know your students best and you have the classroom management skills needed to help us deliver a successful program for all. We depend on your participation and support.
Thank you. We look forward to presenting our program to your class.