From Garden to Classroom Outreach
Program
Program Objectives
The objectives of the From Garden to Classroom outreach program are
to develop and provide outreach education in natural sciences,
including botany, ecology and environmental conservation and
biodiversity through interactive and activity-based programs,
employing experiential learning for youth, grades K-12 using
age-appropriate, curriculum-based learning materials.
The program is aimed at engaging students and teachers and
motivating participants to take action and implement positive
changes both in and outside their schools, within their homes and
throughout their community.
This outreach program will allow the Botanical Garden a unique
opportunity to supplement the science curriculum, engage young
people in hands-on activities and hopefully encourage proactive
attitudes and behaviour in areas of environmental protection,
conservation and enhancement.
These programs are being developed and expanded across the
curriculum; not just in the areas of science education, but also
language arts, math, social studies, etc.
In addition, outreach will be available to schools during the
winter, when the Garden is normally closed to the public. Schools
can book education staff for half, full or multi-day visits to
schools.
This program aims provide resources, including guides for our
curriculum programs. Throughout the winter of 2010 the website will
be expanded to include guides and lessons for students and teachers
across the province.
Workshops for teachers, environmental educators and community
resource people will be conducted throughout the province to
develop programs based on teacher need, to pilot materials
developed and to modify programs according to feedback.
While the range and number of topics covered depends on the grade
level, all concepts relate to the theme of bringing the Botanical
Garden (and its expertise) to the classroom. In turn, the knowledge
and experiences gained will hopefully promote a responsible and
pro-active attitude towards the environment.
Most importantly, students can develop respect and a keen interest
in natural sciences. The primary objective is to engage the
student; however, teacher education and support is critical to the
success of this program and the teacher workshops and web
development are intended to supply the much-needed training and
support for educators and community leaders, province-wide.
The teacher workshops will be offered to engage teachers and youth
group leaders, in a dynamic series of experiential learning
activities. The hands-on activities will be curriculum-designed and
will provide participants with knowledge and background information
illustrating how to incorporate various concepts of the natural
environment within their classroom.
The knowledge and experience gained by teachers will assist in the
delivery of key concepts and will motivate students to study
natural science, in particular plant biodiversity and
conservation.
From Garden to Classroom Outreach Education Program is supported by
the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
PromoScience funding program.
