Celery-brate Plants

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Calling all bird nerds, beak geeks, and fans of feathered friends. Join us for a birding walk around the MSU Horticultural Gardens and Baker Woodlot. Learn the basics of bird identification, explore helpful apps and guides for birding, and discover ways to attract and support birds in your yard. Spring migration is just getting underway, so there will be an exciting mix of year-round species and some that are just passing through. No experience needed and all ages are welcome.

Learn more about Birding Basics

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join the Student Horticulture Association and view their themed indoor landscape display (The Seasons of Pixie Hollow) and plant sale fundraiser.

Learn more about Spring Show and Plant Sale presented by Student Horticulture Association

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Learn about plant pigments used in food, beauty products, textiles, and even famous works of art. Then, paint a bookmark using watercolors made from plant-based pigments.

Learn more about Botanical Pigments, presented by MSU Department of Horticulture

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Visit the many plant-focused facilities on MSU’s campus and explore the wondrous world of plants. Plants are part of daily life, from waking up in cotton pajamas, to brushing your teeth with mint toothpaste, to eating, drinking, and of course, going outside. Plants are a major industry in Michigan, creating many jobs, and spanning countless career paths from art and design, research, production, breeding, museum science, retail, marketing, and technology. Information stations and hands-on activities will be presented by the Department of Horticulture, Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden, Plant Biology Conservatory, and Student Horticulture Association, among others. Celery-brate plants with us!

The central event hub will be the Plant and Soil Sciences Building (1066 Bogue Street). Activities here will include access to the greenhouses, select classrooms, and outdoor experiences in the beautiful MSU Horticulture Gardens.

Events and exhibits will also take place at:

• The atrium of the Molecular Plant Science Building (1066 Bogue Street)
• The MSU Herbarium, located in the Plant Biology Building (612 Wilson Road, Room 166)
• The MSU Plant Science Teaching Conservatory (544 Wilson Road)

Please note that the Teaching Conservatory does not have dedicated parking. Student volunteers will be available to escort guests between the Plant and Soil Sciences Building and the Conservatory at scheduled times.

We look forward to welcoming you for an engaging and interactive experience across these unique campus spaces!

Learn more about Celery-brate Plants!

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Make your mark on our sidewalk chalk farm and flower field.

Learn more about Collaborative Garden Art Project presented by MSU Department of Horticulture

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Visit the CELL, a vertical farming research facility featuring climate-controlled rooms, hydroponic equipment, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Learn more about Controlled Environment Lighting Lab (CELL)

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Visit the Butterflies in the Garden program, learn about the butterfly lifecycle, and catch a butterfly on your finger.

Learn more about Indoor 4-H Children's Garden Butterfly House

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Visit the MSU Herbarium, view preserved specimens of plants, fungi, and algae, and test your knowledge of plant names and etymology!

Learn more about MSU Herbarium Tour

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Learn about native Michigan pollinators and go pollinator-hunting in the MSU Horticulture Gardens!

Learn more about Native Pollinators presented by Bee Urban Growers Project (BUG)

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join us for an open house at MSU’s Rachana Rajendra Neotropical Migrant Bird Sanctuary. Located in Baker Woodlot, the sanctuary provides an urban refuge for wildlife and people to enjoy year-round. It is home to a diverse ecosystem of plants, animals, and microorganisms. We invite you to come out and play in the sanctuary while learning about its inhabitants and what makes it such a special place. The open house will highlight unique habitats, like vernal pools, and the plants and animals you can find in spring.

The Sanctuary is located in Baker Woodlot. Meet us at the northern Bogue Street entrance, the closest intersection is Bogue St. and Service Rd. 

The trails are often muddy in the Spring, so please wear appropriate shoes!

Learn more about Open House at the Rachana Rajendra Bird Sanctuary

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Learn about plant diseases, then decorate a leaf cutout to “make our own plant disease”.

Learn more about Plant Diseases Presented by Student Phytopathological Organization for Research and Education (SPORE)

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

As part of the Spring Show and Plant Sale, make sure to check out the children's room for garden-themed activities!

Learn more about Seasons of Pixie Hollow Kids Craft Room presented by Student Horticulture Association

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Soils vary widely in composition, color, and texture. Learn about soil types, then create a work of art with soil-based paint.

Learn more about Soil Painting presented by Horticulture Organization of Graduate Students (HOGS)

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Tour the Plant Biology Conservatory and Teaching Greenhouse and view the Arid, Tropical, and Evolution collections.

Learn more about Plant Biology Conservatory and Teaching Greenhouse Tour

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Tour the Plant X Tech Lab which utilizes 3D printing and robotics to develop technology to accelerate plant science research.

Meet tour guide in Plant and Soil Sciences Building, Room A246 (second floor)

Learn more about Plant X Tech Lab Tour