Urban Advantage Program
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a partner in Urban Advantage, established in 2004 to enhance public school science education through support for the teaching and learning of science in participating schools.
- Urban Advantage (UA) teachers receive access to guided programs and group visits at UA's eight science-rich cultural institutions to support student learning, engagement, and exploration.
- UA Parent Coordinators receive vouchers to bring school community groups for field trips and days of exploration and inquiry.
- UA students and families can ask participating science teachers for vouchers that provide special access to these NYC science-rich cultural institutions.
UA Teachers
Opportunities for teachers currently enrolled in the Urban Advantage program.
Guided Programs
Use your Class Trip Voucher to cover the cost of an instructor-led program for elementary and middle school grades. Capacity: One or two simultaneous classes of up to 30 students.
Walking Tours are 45-minute BBG instructor–led outdoor nature programs. (In the case of severe weather, programs will take place in the Steinhardt Conservatory.) Teachers return to school with a planting kit containing materials for each student to grow a seed connected to the tour topic. Teachers select from two topics.
Exploration Workshops are 90-minute BBG instructor–led programs where students explore plants hands-on in our classrooms, pot up a plant to take home, and tour the Garden in small groups. Teachers select from eight seasonal and grade-appropriate themes.
Self-Guided Backpack Trips
Use your Class Trip Voucher to register for a Backpack Trip—a self-guided visit designed to spark exploration and learning. Each backpack comes with themed resources, including:
- Journals for every student to complete during the visit
- Magnifying glasses and pencils to investigate plants and nature up close
- Potting-up kits with pots, soil, seeds, and care instructions for planting when you return to school
Choose between two themes:
The Plants of the Caribbean backpack trip immerses your class in the lush Steinhardt Conservatory, giving students the feeling of exploring the Caribbean right here in Brooklyn. Students learn how some Caribbean plants—used for medicine, food, and home purposes—made their way to the United States. They also discover the different layers of the rainforest and how each supports unique plant life. Throughout the experience, students explore the cultural connections we share with the many plants in the Conservatory. This trip highlights the rich blend of ecology and heritage that Caribbean plants bring to our lives.
The Power of Trees backpack trip immerses students in the Native Flora Garden, where they explore the vital role trees and native plants play in the urban ecosystem. Students will learn how Indigenous peoples traditionally used the native plants of the New York City area for food, medicine, and tools. After the Native Flora Garden, you will make your way to the Discovery Garden, where you’ll investigate different tree structures and learn how these adaptations help trees grow, thrive, and survive in their environment. Finally, your students will have time to reflect on how they can become tree stewards on their very own block!
Backpack Trips are a fun and flexible way to make the most of your Garden experience! Capacity: Up to five simultaneous classes of up to 30 students.
See Backpack Trip Dates and Register
Self-Guided Group Visits
Preregistered self-guided groups receive an admission pass for entry to the Garden grounds and Steinhardt Conservatory and priority admission to the School Lunch Area, open seasonally. No voucher required.
Register for a Self-Guided Group VisitPlanning Your Visit
Visit the Garden yourself beforehand with your UA Teacher Voucher. Map out the plant collections you will visit, locate restrooms and the lunch area, and identify the entry gate your class will use (depending on whether your class travels to BBG via school bus, public transportation, or on foot). See BBG’s map and collections to begin planning.
Program Comparison:
| Includes | Guided Programs | Self-guided Backpack Trips | Self-guided Group Visits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admission | Included | Included | Included |
| Materials | Included | Included | Not included |
| Instructor | Included | Not included | Not included |
Ask us for help! We are glad to help you plan your visit. For more information about guided school programs or self-guided school visits, contact [email protected] or 718-623-7235.
UA Parent Coordinators
Urban Advantage Parent Coordinators along with their students and families can use a Community Trip Voucher during non-school hours to receive free admission to the Garden along with a Parent Coordinator kit with materials and resources for a structured learning experience.
Request a Community TripFor more information about planning a trip with a Community Trip Voucher, contact [email protected] or 718-623-7237.
UA Students & Families
Urban Advantage middle and elementary school students can use a UA Student+3 Voucher for free admission to BBG for the student and three additional people. Children 12 and under enter free. Children 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.
To help choose your visit date, explore Discovery Garden programs or the full event calendar.
Get TicketsTickets are available 30 days in advance. Choose your date, select Affiliated Organization tickets, and at checkout, under Affiliate Program, select Urban Advantage. Show your voucher at the box office when you visit.
Save the Date: Special UA Family Events
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Community Days at BBG
Community Days bring together students and families who are part of Urban Advantage.
- November 11, 2025
- June 19, 2026
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Family Science Day at BBG
Family Science Days are special events held each year for students who are part of Urban Advantage.
- May 9, 2026
