Study of ecological and biological features of plants on the basis of a school botanical garden

The article discusses the methodological aspects of making classes with schoolchildren who attend a biology elective course and study the growth and development of ornamental plants in a school botanical garden and a biotechnology laboratory. The article demonstrates the possibility of students mastering the methods used in scientific research, as well as making statistical analysis of data obtained from observations and experiments. The cycle of school – bachelor’s degree – master’s degree – postgraduate studies is being worked out on the example of a specific interaction between academic science, higher education, and school education. The biometric measurements of ornamental plants and subsequent statistical data processing, the variety assessment of garden roses, phlox, and daylilies, as well as the determination of the stages of organogenesis of renewal buds in ornamental perennials at the end of the growing season, have aroused the greatest interest among students in grades 5–8. The projects of flower expositions and the selection of assortment for the educational garden were carried out by the staff of the Central Siberian Botanical Garden of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the students of the Siberian State University Engineering and Biotechnology, with the aim of achieving a high decorative effect in the flower beds at the main entrance during the main celebrations associated with the end of school (peonies, irises) and the beginning of the school year (garden roses, Korean chrysanthemums). Recommendations are given for the microclonal propagation of Korean chrysanthemum varieties based on the biotechnology module available at the school.