We are dedicated to providing local environmental science education and imparting a sense of place to students. Each Education Program includes an exciting variety of inquiry-based learning experiences for school-aged groups from public, private, and home schools. All programs provide hands-on learning experiences through indoor and outdoor activities. Students interact through discussions and questions to help them apply what they already know to their new experiences. Programs are aligned to Virginia SOL and are designed to complement and enhance what educators are teaching in their classrooms.
Our Vision: To be the premier outdoor-based education facility for environmental science education and training for students, teachers, and scientists in the mid-Atlantic region.
Our Mission: Encourage scientific exploration, discovery, and stewardship of our natural world by fostering a learning community among preK-12 students, educators, and scientists.
DEI Statement-Blandy Education Program
Just as biodiversity is vital for healthy ecosystems, cultural and ethnic diversity is crucial for fostering a robust and inclusive education program at the State Arboretum of Virginia to meet the needs of our diverse communities. Our education programs support students and teachers from rural, suburban, and urban areas, as well as formal and environmental educators across the Mid-Atlantic region, through our professional learning and leadership initiatives.
Questions about our education programs before you request a program? Email us at schprog@virginia.edu
The Blandy Education Team’s teaching goal is to stimulate learners’ curiosity about the natural world and their roles in it through field-based investigations. By questioning, observing, investigating, and synthesizing, learners actively increase their understanding of the process of science. All field investigations are grounded in state standards, integrate disciplines through the lens of science, and connect with career paths.
- Candace Lutzow-Felling Director of Education: pK-12 Programs
- Emily M. Ford Lead Environmental Educator
- Stefany Feldbush Environmental Educator