Why do bees prefer yellow flowers to red flowers? Hundreds of Oakland grade school children know the answer, thanks to an Oakland Museum school program featuring the Gardens at Lake Merritt. The program, known as the Secret Garden Tour, provides students with an understanding and appreciation of the mysteries and beauty of the natural world.

The two-hour program begins with the Museum’s engaging docents directing small groups of children through the collection of gardens, ensuring that each child has an opportunity to discover, touch, smell, and question as they explore.

The diversity of flowers, plants and trees in the Gardens makes it an ideal educational venue. The tours end with students drawing, making leaf rubbings, writing poetry, and examining their specimen collections.

“There is nothing like learning real-time and hands-on,” said Michelle Cascio, whose 5th grade class from Korematsu Discovery Academy, “discovered” the Gardens in early November. Exploration of these Gardens will support their grasp and interest in the science lessons we cover in the classroom,” added Cascio. “This was the first visit to the Gardens at Lake Merritt for most of these children and I will encourage them to bring their families here.”

A special thank you to Suzanne Pegas, Natural Science Program Coordinator for the Oakland Museum, Ron Krause, Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt, and the terrific Museum docents for creating and supporting this educational, inspirational and fun program.