Plants are all around us, yet many of us know very little about them. Most of us know even less about fungi and algae. Students in this course will learn about the major groups of plants, fungi, and algae before exploring topics based on their own interests. Students have the option to delve into plant anatomy and development, plant and fungi identification, plant evolution and ecology, and the impacts of climate change on plant and fungal communities around the world and in California.

Student will also select and complete a project, which can range from designing and executing their own experiment, to writing their own field guide, cataloging the plants in their area, and so on. Students will end the summer with a project or experiment that they can bring home along with a deeper appreciation of the natural world.