meet the Plant Discovery Bus
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The Plant Discovery Bus is a new educational tool that will mimic the experience learners receive when they visit the gardens. The idea for the bus was born as an effort to serve our local school districts more effectively, while removing barriers for our local learners who want to experience our mission first-hand, on their terms.
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impact & access
Each year, we reach more than 12,000 learners at our gardens. The Plant Discovery Bus will allow us to reach even more learners by taking programming directly to schools and offsite opportunities. Over the next five years, conservative projections show the bus will have the opportunity to serve thousands of learners each year at local schools, community events, and other outreach events.
Having the ability to take our programming out into the community will allow us to continue to ensure we are working to achieve access for all while adding something unique and one-of-a-kind to our Quad Cities Community. This bus will also travel to community events throughout the year when it is not being used to teach local youth. The Plant Discovery Bus will ensure greater access for learners in the Quad Cities to have an immersive experience within their own schools, communities, and neighborhoods.
Having the ability to take our programming out into the community will allow us to continue to ensure we are working to achieve access for all while adding something unique and one-of-a-kind to our Quad Cities Community. This bus will also travel to community events throughout the year when it is not being used to teach local youth. The Plant Discovery Bus will ensure greater access for learners in the Quad Cities to have an immersive experience within their own schools, communities, and neighborhoods.
faq
When can I book the Plant Discovery Bus?
What does it do?
Who do I contact?
- For Schools: Starting in our own back yard, the bus will spend its first school year in the Rock Island-Milan School District. From the ’25-’26 school year and beyond, we will continue to work with additional districts as more dates become available. If you’re interested in a future visit, email Belinda to be put on a list. Your class is always welcome to visit the gardens for an on-site field trip.
- For Community Events: The bus is accepting inquiries for community events on a limited basis (including school fairs). Please contact Belinda with information on your event.
What does it do?
- In an educational setting, the bus serves as a hands-on, immersive learning experience. At community events, the bus can lead a program or activity, sell plants, or develop a program specifically for your event.
Who do I contact?
- Contact Belinda at [email protected]
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“Today, YOU put an incredible smile on the faces of all students and staff. I saw excitement and engagement I have not seen yet this year.
I heard students asking questions, participating, behaving, and learning! The students even asked when they could do this again. WOW!” - Local Educator |
supporters
This completed project is a wonderful conglomeration of Quad Citizens coming together to do something cool, unique, and special for their community. In all, over 50 Quad Citizens had a hand in this project from start to finish. They all contributed within their field of expertise ranging from philanthropy, to curriculum development, to public transit, to exhibit creation. It is truly an asset for the QC, by the QC.
The Plant Discovery Bus is made possible by multiple partners and supporters in the community. The Plant Discovery Bus is sponsored by: Linda Bowers, Quad Cities MetroLINK, Regional Development Authority, Scott County Regional Authority, Quad Cities Cultural Trust, Keith and Rosemary Woodward Trust, Moline Regional Community Foundation, Mark W. Schwiebert Fund for Environmental Studies at the Quad Cities Community Foundation, and American Chemical Society IL/IA branch.
Thank you to the Illinois Department of Transportation for the approval of the MetroLINK bus donation. The Plant Discovery Bus was designed and created with the local experts at Edwards Creative.
The Plant Discovery Bus is made possible by multiple partners and supporters in the community. The Plant Discovery Bus is sponsored by: Linda Bowers, Quad Cities MetroLINK, Regional Development Authority, Scott County Regional Authority, Quad Cities Cultural Trust, Keith and Rosemary Woodward Trust, Moline Regional Community Foundation, Mark W. Schwiebert Fund for Environmental Studies at the Quad Cities Community Foundation, and American Chemical Society IL/IA branch.
Thank you to the Illinois Department of Transportation for the approval of the MetroLINK bus donation. The Plant Discovery Bus was designed and created with the local experts at Edwards Creative.
