School Field Trip Programs
K-5 Standards-Based Guided Field Trips
The Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton is a plant museum that serves as a learning platform for students of all walks of life, from elementary-age children to adult life-long learners. In alignment with our mission, vision, and values, as well as CA state standards, the Arboretum offers volunteer-led, uniquely curated Guided Field Trips. These are intended for K-5 students and provide a learning-based experience, which teachers are encouraged to expand upon in their classrooms with relevant curriculum. There are three different options for guided trips, and they vary seasonally:
Trees are Essential
Kindergarten - 3rd Grade Option
Big Idea:
Trees are an essential part of our environment. They are important to plants, fungi, wildlife and people. They provide countless benefits like oxygen, shelter and food.
Field Trip Experiences:
Students will investigate three areas of the Arboretum. At the Pond they will explore the life cycle of trees and investigate a variety of tree cookies to analyze tree rings. They will also use laser thermometers to collect temperature data in the sun and in the shade of trees. In the Conifers students will examine leaf and bark adaptations and will also learn about cones and wind pollination. The third investigation takes place in the shade of the Pepper tree where students will learn about the scientific and educational work that takes place in arboretums. They will then have the opportunity to use an assortment of colored pencils to create scientific illustrations of the trees and their leaves that surround them. Leaf anatomy charts are provided for those scientists who want to label their illustrations.
Next Generation Science Standards:
The experiences provided during this field trip support a variety of Kindergarten through 3rd grade standards.
- Kindergarten: LS1.C and ESS3.A
- 1st Grade: LS1.A, LS1.B and LS3.A
- 2nd Grade: LS2.A and LS4.D
- 3rd Grade: LS1.B, LS3.A, LS2.C, LS4.C, LS4.D
Trees are Essential
4th - 5th Grade Option
Big Idea:
Trees are an essential part of our environment! They are important to plants, fungi, wildlife and people. They provide countless benefits like oxygen, shelter and food.
Field Trip Experiences:
Students will investigate three different areas of the Arboretum. In the Conifers investigation students will explore geologic time. They will become familiar with three different gymnosperm plants (Conifers, Ginkgos and Cycads) from the Paleozoic Era as they learn about cones, seeds and wind pollination.
At the Pond investigation students will use laser thermometers to collect temperature data to determine the significance of planting trees to combat heat islands. Students will learn about photosynthesis as they explore how trees grow. Under the Pepper tree students will return to geologic time to investigate the introduction of angiosperms during the Mesozoic Era. Students will learn about the evolution of flowers and insects during this time period.
Next Generation Science Standards:
The experiences provided during this field trip support a variety of 4th and 5th grade standards.
- 4th Grade: LS1.A, LS1.D and ESS1.C
- 5th Grade: PS3.D, LS1.C and ESS3.C
Investigating Biomes
Kindergarten - 5th Grade Option
Big Idea:
A biome is a major life zone that can be classified by the plants and animals living in the zone. Temperature, soil and the amount of light and water help determine what life forms exist in a biome.
Field Trip Experiences:
Students will investigate three biomes (Pond, Chaparral and Desert) and compare the resources of land, air, water and sun (LAWS) in each biome and learn about the adaptations that help plants survive and grow. Time is provided in each biome for students to observe and record their observations in a science journal.
- Pond Investigation - Students will learn about the external body parts that help the red-eared slider and the dragonfly survive.
- Chaparral Investigation - Students will learn about leaf shape and color that help plants survive hot, dry summers.
- Desert Investigation - Students will learn about the parts that help barrel cactus survive and grow.
Next Generation Science Standards:
The experiences provided during this field trip support a variety of Kindergarten through 5th grade standards.
- Kindergarten: LS1.C, ESS2.E and ESS3.A
- 1st Grade: LS1.A and LS1.B
- 2nd Grade: LS2.A and LS4.D
- 3rd Grade: LS2.C, LS4.C and LS1.B
- 4th Grade: LS1.A, LS1.D and ESS2.E
- 5th Grade: PS3.D, LS1.C and LS2.A
Heritage House Local History Field Trip
For 3rd Grade Students
Big Idea:
Individuals and communities can find meaning in the world they inhabit by looking at their cultural, historical and social foundations.
Essential Question:
How can a house reveal a bigger story than itself that helps us build an understanding of how people in Fullerton's past lived?
Field Trip Experiences:
The field trip offers experiences, beyond a simple tour of Heritage House, that provides students with opportunities to discover evidence that reveals the cultural, historical and social foundations of Fullerton's beginning. A brief group introduction sets the scene for students to bring meaning to the investigation stations to be explored. Students will receive a historian's journal to record their findings as they work at each investigation station. These investigation stations are grouped into three rotations. Each rotation lasts approximately 30 minutes.
- Rotation #1: "Think Like a Historian" Investigation Stations
- Artifact Analysis
- Analyzing Historic Photographs
- Fullerton's Agricultural Past
- Rotation #2: "Victorian Era Culture" Investigation Stations
- Golden Era of Postcards
- Victorian Children's Games - Graces and Hoop Rolling
- Rotation #3: Heritage House Investigation Stations
- Eastlake Victorian Architecture
- Heritage House Tour
- Medicinal Garden and Outback Buildings
History-Social Science Content Standards:
The experiences provided during this field trip support a variety of 3rd grade standards.
- HHS 3.1.2, 3.3.3, 3.4.2 and 3.5.1
Are you interested in having your students experience one of these guided trips? Please read below for more important information and to submit an Arboretum Trip Request Form.
Important K-5 Guided Trip Notes:
- Fall Semester (October - December)
- Trees are Essential Field Trips
- Option 1: Kindergarten - 3rd Grade OR
- Option 2: 4th - 5th Grade
- Wednesdays ONLY, 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
- Trees are Essential Field Trips
- Spring Semester (February - June)
- Investigating Biomes Field Trips
- Kindergarten - 5th Grade
- Wednesdays ONLY, 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
- Heritage House Local History Field Trips
- 3rd Grade ONLY
- Thursdays ONLY, 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
- Investigating Biomes Field Trips
- NOTE: Field trips may not be scheduled on university holidays or during Commencement week.
- In an effort to be mindful of our volunteers who lead these programs, guided trips must always conclude at 11am, even if buses arrive late.
Guided trips must be scheduled and approved at least 4 weeks in advance.
A fee of $5 per person helps support the garden and make these experiences possible.
We require that all teachers and chaperones are adequately prepared with drinking water for their students so that field trips can operate smoothly and remain on-time.
Food is not allowed inside the Arboretum (with exception for water bottles). If your group plans to provide lunch to your students, we ask that you leave food on the bus until the guided trip has concluded. Groups may use the picnic tables outside the front entrance to eat once the guided trip has concluded.
Buses may drop students off in front of the Arboretum, but must park in CSU Fullerton’s Lot A.
Minimum of 30 students, maximum of 96 people including students, teachers and chaperones.
- Grade Level: We ask that all students in your group for K-5 guided trips be the same grade level - we will not be able to provide guided tours for groups with mixed grade levels (see below for info about Self-Guided Trips if your group is mixed grade).
- Teachers: At minimum, 1 credentialed teacher must be present for every 30 students (i.e., 90 students = 3 credentialed teachers). Instructional assistants, paraprofessionals, parent volunteers, etc. are not credentialed teachers, though they are welcome to assist as chaperones.
- 3 groups: Regardless of the size of your school’s group or the number of classes present, all students should be split into three groups prior to arriving.
If for some reason you need to cancel your visit, please do so at least 24 hours in advance of your date. No shows will not be rescheduled. We reserve the right to cancel a scheduled trip within 48 hours of your visit should there be inclement weather or other unplanned events.
The indoor portion of the Heritage House Field Trip may be unavailable if there is inclement weather.
NOTE: the Arboretum Trip Request Form must be submitted for your request to be approved, scheduled, and confirmed. Whether you are requesting a Guided Field Trip or a Self-Guided Experience, the form must be submitted in advance of your visit. You will receive an email confirmation when your request has been approved. Save the email confirmation to present upon your arrival at the Arboretum. All phone and email inquiries about Field Trips and Self Guided Experiences will be referred to submit the Arboretum Trip Request Form. Groups who come to the Arboretum without submitting a request or receiving an email confirmation will be advised to explore the Arboretum as visitors.
Self-Guided Trips
Do you have less than 30 students in your group? Is your group mixed K-5 grade level, or in 6th grade and beyond? Can’t make it during the 9am-11am timeframe? Not to worry, the self-guided trip option is available as well! These trips are intended to accommodate all group types. Self-guided opportunities may include Discovery Stations - based on volunteer docent availability - featuring different habitats, animals and themes of our environment (see below for more info).
- All year (with the exception of university holidays and Commencement week)
- Any day of the week, including weekends.
- Any timeframe during the Arboretum's open hours (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
- Self-Guided trips are not available for Heritage House.
Self-guided trips must be scheduled and approved at least 4 weeks in advance.
A fee of $5 per person helps support the garden and make these experiences possible.
No more than 90 people.
Food is not allowed inside the Arboretum (with the exception of water bottles). If your group plans to provide lunch to your students, we ask that you leave food on the bus or in vehicles until the self-guided trip has concluded. Groups may use the picnic tables outside the front entrance to eat once the trip has concluded.
- Personal vehicles may park in the Arboretum parking lot or in Lot G for a fee.
- Parking must be paid on-site using the ParkMobile app, or may be paid in advance using CSUF's Guest Parking Portal. Parking in Lot G is free on weekends until August 25, 2025.
- After August 25, 2025, CSUF will require paid parking permits 24 hours, 7 days a week. Please review the following website regarding parking fees after August 25, 2025.
- More information about Visitor Parking at CSUF can be found here.
- NOTE: For any inquiries or issues related to parking, please contact Parking and Transportation Services.
- Buses may drop students off in front of the Arboretum, but must park in CSU Fullerton’s Lot A. It is recommended for groups travelling by bus to obtain a full-day parking permit for their visit.
If for some reason you need to cancel your visit, please do so at least 24 hours in advance of your date. We reserve the right to cancel a scheduled trip within 48 hours of your visit should there be inclement weather or other unplanned events.
A request for Self-Guided Trips may be submitted below. Upon approval of your request for a self-guided trip and confirmation of your visit date, you will receive prep material to support your science teaching while guiding your students through the Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
Self-Guided Trip Materials Options
- Self-Guided Arboretum Tour: Includes a map of the Arboretum with fun facts about various trees and plants of interest. Encourages exploration of the entire 26-acre space. Appropriate for all ages.
- Fibonacci Sequence in Nature Tour: Includes a map of the Arboretum and various activities that revolve around the Fibonacci
Sequence occurring in nature; a scavenger hunt activity encourages exploration of
the Arboretum. The curriculum involves science and mathematics topics appropriate
for middle and high school aged students.
- For a preview of what the Fibonacci Sequence is and its relationship with plants, we encourage you to check out this video.
- Plant Heroes Resources - Journals and Lesson Plans
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NOTE: the Arboretum Trip Request Form must be submitted for your request to be approved, scheduled, and confirmed. Whether you are requesting a Guided Field Trip or a Self-Guided Experience, the form must be submitted in advance of your visit. You will receive an email confirmation when your request has been approved. Save the email confirmation to present upon your arrival at the Arboretum. All phone and email inquiries about Field Trips and Self Guided Experiences will be referred to submit the Arboretum Trip Request Form. Groups who come to the Arboretum without submitting a request or receiving an email confirmation will be advised to explore the Arboretum as visitors.
Learning at Discovery Stations
Discovery stations are a form of Informal Science Education (ISE) that is often seen in natural history museums, zoos and botanic gardens. ISE promotes free-choice learning and the use of authentic artifacts. We have developed a series of discovery stations that highlight the habitats found at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden and make use of the principles of ISE. Each station includes artifacts authentic to the habitat, which are meant to be held by visitors and inspire questions that lead to learning. Students can focus on which artifacts interest them, reflecting the principle of free choice.
Each Discovery Station has a volunteer docent to answer any questions. Social interaction is another component of ISE and our discovery stations maximize learning through interactions between peers and volunteers. It is our intent to make use of ISE to complement the formal science education that takes place in the classroom.
NOTE: Discovery Stations are led by volunteer docents. Access to Discovery Stations is based on volunteer docent availability.
Read more about ISE at Discovery Stations.
Advising
No matter where you are in the Study Abroad process, our advisors are always here to help you create an ideal Study Abroad experience that will align with both your personal and academic goals. To schedule an appointment or learn more about walk-in advising, please visit our Contact page.
