Across the board, academic research studies have proven that students that have experienced outdoor education show marked improvement in math, reading, science, language and behavior. 33 of 40 school garden studies (83%) found improved outcomes in science, math, & language arts.
Science in the Garden - The Origin
The WELLKIND Garden Program was formally launched near the end of the last year-2020. In the midst of many ongoing issues, we envisioned a way to give hope to schools and communities. We have implemented this thru; education, garden mini-grants and being a hub connecting schools to community organizations.
In Title 1 schools we served as an educational resource- a student stated – “Growing Indigenous plants was something I could tell my parents about. Now they understand why I am excited about learning in the garden.”
During the school year 2021-2022, WELLKIND rolled out a curriculum for “Science in the Garden” to assist and support our amazing schools in Sonoma in applying Next Generation Science Standards.
Details:
WELLKIND’s unique curriculum is based on California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS)
We guide students with a phenomenon that is thought-provoking and engaging.
Real-world application: We ask students real-life questions: Why did that happen? If I did this would it have a different effect?
All questions are deemed valid as students ask questions to find a series of answers.
Our Goal
Our goal in the garden classes is to demystify as much as possible, science, crosscutting concepts and disciplinary core ideas.
The Reason why we do this:
We understand that Climate Change is real and students can feel hopeless.
Spending time in the garden opens a student up to wonder and to express ideas.
This leads to small changes in their life which will have a big impact…the ripple effect.
As one student stated after years of garden education, “I feel I can change the world!”
This sense of empowerment is the very core of the project-based education component used in our “Science in the Garden” program.
WELLKIND in partnership with you is helping students get excited about garden education. Our goal is to create the “Aha” moment for students in their school garden.
Example - Students pull wild grass.
What did they notice?
Which root is longer?
What are the benefits of longer roots?
A student learns to take ownership of the study of plants and develops leadership skills in their discovery.
Would you like the “Science in the Garden” program in your school?
Reach out to us for more information here.
Our Master teacher
We are proud to have Laura Honda onboard - a WELLKIND Master Teacher who teaches Garden Education at a Title 1 school in Marin County.
She earned several awards including the Teacher of the Year Award from the California Science Teachers Association.
She is an early adopter of the Next Generation Science Standards.
About our Impact:
Served 16 Sonoma County schools and over 5,000 K-12 students.
Over 80% of our School Garden Grantees are Title 1 Schools.
Served 12 community groups and over 17,000 people.
Webinars with over 200 viewers from 27 different countries.
Do you have questions about K-12 teachers training in using gardens for nutrition and S.T.E.A.M. classes?
Reach out to us here for more information.