Every summer for more than a decade, HOPS has taken place onsite at the U.S. Botanic Garden, engaging elementary and middle school students in science learning experiences. Participants immersed themselves in the natural world: they dangled over the bridge, and learned that clean water is critical for plants and all life forms; they explored the power of the sun and learned how plants make their own food; they watched pollinators in action and had the opportunity to wander and wonder. The National Garden became an outdoor classroom where students and teachers used microscopes, dissected flowers, analyzed soil, and learned how seeds travel.

In March of 2020, due to a global pandemic, we were challenged to rethink teaching and learning at the Garden. This offered an opportunity to look at HOPS through a new lens. In summer 2020, we developed, piloted, and evaluated an online iteration of HOPS. Retaining the rich community partnership component, we collaborated with a local organization to engage students in hands-on science learning activities asynchronously at home, supported by a series of synchronous virtual learning sessions. Youth and staff received HOPS backpacks complete with the activities and supporting supplies.

The Spring and Summer 2021 HOPS programs engaged students with hands-on plant science activities using another approach to program implementation: offering HOPS in-person at a community-based organization, facilitated by the organization’s staff. This new version of HOPS lets us increase our audience, expand opportunities for informal science and plant awareness for youth, and offer an opportunity for HOPS to operate in the community.