Make a Difference
Donate now to our classroom field trip program
Help bring the children to the garden to experience the world of nature
Your Help
Provide help to our title one and bubble schools in need of programs
to help meet STEM requirements and develop these students
as stewards of the future.
The Need
Our title one and bubble schools here in Washoe County are underfunded and often cannot afford extra-curricular programs that can assist the schools in meeting STEM requirements. This fund will help the society to continue to fund our Pollinator Star Program and Pollinator Star Field Trips.
The Program
The Pollinator Star Program is a comprehensive program taught to third grade students where our education coordinators will go out to approved schools to teach.
The Funds
The funds will help to cover supplies needed for the classroom and provide reimbursement for bus transportation to and from the local school to the arboretum. For our Pollinator Star Field Trips, the funds will help cover the cost of activities and supplies needed for activities done during their trip to the arboretum.
Powering Minds
By giving a gift to the May Arboretum Society this coming Giving Tuesday, you are helping to power the minds of our children about the vital role plants play within our ecosystem.
Why We Made This Program
The Pollinator Star Program exists to reach students of Washoe County with fundamental, hands-on pollinator education. The Program intends to help local teachers meet critical Nevada state science learning objectives through pivotal experiences delivered to their classroom.
Program Outline
January, February, March
ln the months of January, February, and March, an educator will visit the classroom to lead a hands-on lesson with students for approximately 1.5 hours.
April
ln the month of April, students will visit the Arboretum for a tour, activity, and craft.
May
ln the month of May, the educator will return to the classroom to plant native flowers at the school and host a celebration that designates each student as a Pollinator Star.
Learning Objectives
The Pollinator Star Program is a semester long commitment, with a target audience of 3rd grade classrooms. Here is what teachers would receive:
Further, the program aims to provide meaningful learning experiences to help address and achieve the following learning objectives:
3-LS1-1 Plant and Animal Life Cycles
Develop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all have in common; birth, growth, reproduction, and death.
3-LS4-3 Habitat and Organism Survival
Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.
3-LS4-4 Environmental Changes
Make a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change.
Field Trips
The May Arboretum Society seeks to provide high quality, hands on field trips to the students of Washoe County. These field trips will educate students on the topic of pollination within the context of Nevada state science learning objectives through pivotal experiences delivered to their classroom.
What to Expect
Field trips are available in April and May.
The May Arboretum can accommodate up to 80 students per trip. Field trips are available Mondays and Fridays and Last approximately 2 hours, with the option to extend for an on site picnic or visit to the May Museum.
At each field trip, teachers can expect:
- A tour of the main gardens of the arboretum.
- Grade appropriate hands on activities such as crafts, games, scientific demonstrations, and more!
- Individualized curriculum coordination with the staff educator to ensure grade level objectives are met.
- Participants from WCSD will also receive a complimentary nature exploration backpack for each student.
What is Giving Tuesday?
December 3rd, Giving Tuesday, is an opportunity for local communities to come together on one day to support the needs of non-profit organizations.
Giving Tuesday FAQs
Can I make a donation before December 3rd?
Yes! You don’t have to wait until Giving Tuesday to help the society provide this service to our school children who with out may never get exposure to our information or ever be given the opportunity to visit our community arboretum. You can donate now. You will receive a confirmation receipt at the email address you provide when you complete your donation. Your donation will be included in the total amount for Giving Tuesday.
Why should I make a donation on Giving Tuesday?
Your gift can help ensure that children in our community will be afforded the opportunity to learn about nature and our ecosystem along with an outdoor off-site visit to the arboretum. Unite with other generous people like you to help us reach our goal this Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
Is my gift tax deductible?
Yes, your gift is tax deductible. You will receive an e-mail confirmation that will serve as your receipt for tax purposes.
How will my May Arboretum Society Giving Tuesday donation be used?
Unless otherwise indicated, donations made will be dedicated to a restricted fund specifically used for these program services.
How will I receive a receipt for my donation?
Upon completing your donation at mayarboretumsociety.org you will receive a confirmation receipt for your donation at the email address you provided when you made your donation.
If you need a reissued receipt, please contact May Arboretum Society or submit your request to info@mayarboretumsociety.org so that your inquiry can be promptly addressed.
Who can I contact for help with my donation?
Please contact Frances Munoz, Executive Director of the May Arboretum Society, at 775.234.8040 or submit your request to info@mayarboretumsociety.org so that your inquiry is promptly addressed.
When is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday is on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Giving Tuesday takes place annually, the Tuesday following Thanksgiving.
