All Practical Work is mandatory. The Botanical Gardens is an important outdoor training facility in which the students develop practical skills, applying knowledge gained in the classroom, demonstrations and additional training programs. Under the direction of staff the students are responsible for annual bedding displays and the culture and maintenance of the gardens. Beyond scheduled class time, students spend the balance of their 40-hour work week in the practical program.
The students are required to keep a daily log of activities and accomplishments and provide verbal and written feedback to their student supervisors or student crew members. The practical program constitutes 70% of the time the students study in the entire Program (30% academics) and comprises 50% of the student’s final grade each year. The students are evaluated three times a year on their practical skills, based on horticultural skill, work performance and personal leadership, each weighted differently for each of the three years in the Program.
Study Tours
The purpose of the comprehensive study tours is to provide the student with a broader knowledge, awareness and experience in horticulture beyond the Parks system. The first and second year tours are within the confines of North America, whereas the third year study tour may be to a destination outside of North America. Under the direction of instructional staff, the study tour destination and sites of horticultural interest are researched by the students. The final approval of the study tour destination is at the discretion of The Niagara Parks Commission. Students are required to submit a report analyzing and reflecting on the experience. The mark on this report constitutes a respective percentage of their final practical mark in each year. The cost of the study tour is the responsibility of the student, as outlined in FEES AND DEPOSITS in this Prospectus. Participation in the study tour is compulsory.
Practical Horticulture Training – First Year
The purpose of the first year practical training program is to train the students on the safe and proficient use of equipment and tools. Theory and proficient application of horticultural techniques, procedures and skills are a major focus. First year students receive a Practical Proficiency Checklist of horticultural tasks. Once the student has mastered a technique or activity to the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens standard, the student supervisors will check off that task. A broad range of horticultural and related tasks are covered, including participation in the Plant Health Care Program. Lawn Technician is a first year responsibility, where on a rotational basis, the students are required to mow and line trim designated areas of the Botanical Gardens.
On a similar rotational basis the students are assigned as Duty Students, responsible for additional tasks during and after work hours, such as watering, turning on alarms and checking that the buildings are locked and secure at the end of the day. There is a specific Duty Student check list of tasks and the student is evaluated on their performance, reliability and leadership, which is reflected in their practical mark. The first year students are evaluated according to horticultural skills (40 %), work performance (35 %) and personal leadership (25 %).
Greenhouse Floriculture Practical I
The purpose of this practical training is to give the student an opportunity to participate in and become familiar with professional growing procedures and maintenance of show-quality crops and bedding plants under the direction of the NPC Greenhouse staff. The student is evaluated according to: their knowledge of the culture of plants, development of horticulture techniques, following instructions, interest in work, quantity and quantity of work, organizational skills, dependability, punctuality, co-operation, communication and feedback, documentation, use of equipment, clean-up and safety. The Greenhouse Floriculture Practical I mark is worth 15% of the October to March practical evaluation term in first year.
General Horticulture Knowledge Testing (GK)
GK Testing evaluates the first year students on their general knowledge and proficiency of horticultural practices and concepts. Such knowledge is gained through instructional staff, second and third year students presenting scheduled demonstrations, posted articles and practical work experience in the Botanical Gardens, and asking questions throughout the practical program. Information gained through the GK testing program will help to build a strong foundation of horticultural knowledge. First year students are evaluated on their general knowledge and proficiency through a series of written and practical tests. A passing grade of 60% is required in the GK program. GK Testing represents 10% of the practical mark in first year.
Study Tour
The study tour report mark represents 5% of the final practical evaluation mark in the first year.
Practical Horticulture Training - Second Year
This program is a continuation of first year with the further development of horticultural skills, work performance and personal leadership skills. Supervisory skills are initiated to develop management and scheduling practices. They help to train and assist second year students in horticultural practices involved in the specific areas of emphasis of the practical program. They assume the role of the student supervisor in the absence of a third year student. The second years receive training on the Botanical Gardens irrigation system and on a rotational basis throughout the growing season are responsible for maintaining the watering requirements of the gardens. They are also responsible for assuming the role of Duty Student on a rotational basis. The second year students are evaluated according to horticultural skills (35 %), work performance (35 %) and personal leadership (30 %).
Greenhouse Floriculture Practical II
This practical training program is a continuation and enhancement of Greenhouse Floriculture I, under the direction of the NPC staff at the production facility at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory. The students are responsible for plant propagation, pest monitoring and identification, fertilizer applications, familiarity with computerized environmental control system and general greenhouse management with the emphasis on proper culture and watering techniques. The Greenhouse Floriculture Practical II mark is worth 15% of the October to March practical evaluation term in second year.
Study Tour
The study tour report mark represents 15% of the final practical evaluation mark in the second year.
Demonstrations - See Practical Horticulture Training – Third year
Practical Tree Maintenance (non credit compulsory course)
This introductory–level practical course for second year students is five consecutive days in duration and is intended to familiarize the student with two skill sets which are
considered essential to arboriculture operations: tree climbing and chainsaw operation. The majority of this program will be dedicated to hands-on learning in the tree. Emphasis throughout is on workplace safety and proper techniques. The instructor evaluates the students and their mark is reflected as a portion of their practical evaluation mark for the July to September practical term.
Practical Horticulture Training - Third Year
The third year of this program further enhances all skills acquired during the previous two years with the emphasis on people skills, leadership qualities and supervisory management to better prepare the student for positions of responsibility. The third year students assume the role of supervisors and are involved in proper job instruction with their fellow crew members. This position involves IPM techniques in the greenhouse. The third year students are assigned, on a rotational basis, the role of Greenhouse Duty Student, responsible for the care and maintenance of the Botanical Gardens production facility and the entire grounds, with the help of the Duty Student, on holidays and weekends. They are responsible for evaluating their student crew on a daily basis and their input contributes 10% of the final mark in each of the three practical evaluations terms for first and second year students. The third year students are evaluated according to horticultural skills (25%), work performance (30%) and personal leadership (35 %).
Study Tour
The study tour report mark represents 20% of the final practical evaluation mark in the third year.
Demonstrations
Demonstrations provide an opportunity for the second and third year students to present accurate information and techniques on selected horticultural topics to first year, intern and co-op students. Each student is required to present 3-4 demonstration topics, including submitting a 1-2 page fact sheet when the demonstration is given. Demonstrations are evaluated on technical content, relevance, organization and presentation, collectively contributing to the information included in GK testing. Demonstrations represent 5% of the practical mark in third year.
Third Year Internship
The students are required to secure a 10-12 week internship from an approved horticultural institution or business, locally or internationally, in the spring or summer of their third year. The purpose is to gain new experiences and potential employment opportunities. The destination is confirmed by the end of their second year. A work diary, evaluation reports from the employer, report and a 20-minute oral presentation of their experiences is mandatory. The report constitutes a percentage of the third year practical evaluation mark. The oral presentation comprises a smaller percentage of the Horticultural Seminar course mark
