Cultivate

Cultivate

Growing STEM Educators

STEM professional development sessions for PreK-8 teachers

Are you unsure how to incorporate STEM lessons into your classes? Do you need reliable resources, hands-on activities, and guidance from professional educators to build confidence in teaching STEM? Look no further than Cultivate.

This program presents STEM lesson ideas rooted in plant science using the 5E Lesson Model, with all activities aligned to the Alabama Course of Study: Science standards and learning progressions. Participants will leave with renewed enthusiasm and confidence for teaching STEM, along with classroom-ready curriculum, a bin of STEM resources, and a certificate for completed PD credit hours. TEAMS credit may also be awarded at the discretion of each participant’s school district.

Questions? Email cultivate@hsvbg.org

Learn More

Register for Cultivate Sessions

Hands-on, plant science-based lessons designed to inspire your students.

Cultivate sessions take place here at the Garden. Participants are encouraged to bring a notebook and pen. Don’t forget your cell phone for taking photos! Dress comfortably for the weather because we will walk through the Garden. Additional details are provided to all registered participants via email a few days before each scheduled session.

To register, select the appropriate grade level underneath the date of the Cultivate session you would like to attend.

Questions? Email cultivate@hsvbg.org

Upcoming Event:

Save the date! Saturday, November 7 · 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Registration opening in Fall 2026)

STEM Night for Teachers

Annual event dedicated to PreK-8th grade Alabama educators

Exclusively for Alabama educators in public, private, and homeschool settings—including preschools and day care centers. Explore upcoming professional development and field trip opportunities at the Garden. Enjoy hands-on STEM activities, light refreshments, networking with fellow educators, and a guided tour led by an Education Guide.

Upcoming Event:

Fourth Annual STEM Night for Teachers · Monday, July 27 · 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

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Cultivate Scholarship

Save on program registration

Complete and submit our scholarship application to receive 90% off the cost of program registration. A member of our Education Team will contact you with registration information within 2-3 business days after receiving your application. This program is valued at $100.

Scholarship Application

Symposium

Grow & Gather: An Educators Day of Discovery

A day-long professional development symposium for STEM educators, teaching grades PreK-8. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience Cultivate and connect with local community STEM partners.

Upcoming Event:

Save the date! Saturday, September 12 (Details and registration opening in Summer 2026)

Cultivate on the Road

Bringing STEM to your campus

We’re delighted to bring Cultivate directly to school administrators and teachers on their own campuses. This program can be scheduled for professional development days or incorporated into faculty meetings—and best of all, it is completely free to book.

Cultivate offers hands-on, standards-based STEM curriculum grounded in plant and environmental science. Each session includes a bin of ready-to-use STEM materials, making it easy for teachers to bring these lessons into their classrooms. We also guide a walking tour of your campus to inspire educators to connect plant science with the natural environment just outside their doors.

To host Cultivate at your school, the site must be located in Alabama, within a 100-mile radius of Huntsville Botanical Garden, and have a minimum of 15 participants.

To schedule your preferred date, please fill out the request form linked below. For additional questions, contact cultivate@hsvbg.org or call 256-830-4447 ext. 270.

Request Form

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Funding for this program is provided by the State of Alabama Legislature with additional support from The Daniel Foundation of Alabama, Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Alabama, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, and other philanthropic assistance.