Gardening With Science And Technology

HOW I T WORKS
Gardening With Science And Technology familiarizes students with the science of planting, with many school subjects utilized. The program integrates new media, learning standards, and various subject areas in a hands-on experience in developing and implementing a school garden. The students draw upon their classroom experiences to assist them in this project.  The main activities consist of research, discussion, computer word processing, planting, and recording the information gathered. 

The students place seeds into seed racks, measure time and growth, and make graphs on the computer charting this growth. They read pertinent materials, write reports and narratives, and discuss observations and presentations. They study plant life, cell structure, and beneficial insects, as well as nutrients, soil, pollution, the greenhouse effect, and weather patterns. 

This program is implemented through a series of math and science lessons, presentations by overhead projector, and research on the Internet. Students gain technical competency that is modeled by school staff. 

This is a well-rounded program, moving from the abstract to concrete with hands-on activities. The students are comfortable working in pairs and teams, and teach/supervise one another on a regular basis. The teacher acts as the ‘guide on the side’ and moves about the room, ensuring that the class is on task and assisting as necessary. Class time and instruction are divided between lectures, student presentations, research, recording findings on the computer, digital camera photography, and class discussions.

THE STUDENTS
Up to 50 children are participating in this program. These are special education students ranging from grades 5-8, mostly from self-contained classes. They meet in the classroom and computer lab,  as well as in the garden. The classrooms are equipped with computers. Collaboration with Mr. Honigsfeld, our social worker, emphasizes teamwork and social skills. Students have the opportunity to learn key-boarding skills for this program with the Mavis Beacon typing program. 

THE STAFF
Deborah Perri is a special education teacher with three years of experience. Her colleague, Howard Honigsfeld, is a social worker with five years of teaching experience and five years as a school social worker. 

WHAT YOU NEED
Gardening and growing equipment is necessary for this program. This includes a lighted growing rack, seeds, starter mixture, growth trays, and gardening tools. A microscope is used to observe cell structure, and digital cameras provide pictures of the students’ work. Computers are used for research and recording findings. 

OVERALL VALUE
Gardening With Science and Technology puts math and science into a perspective these children have never experienced. Students gain hands-on experience, work cooperatively in an applied learning environment, and cover at least five subject areas. They also develop an appreciation for the environment and marvel at the wonder of the living plant. Teachers find this program attractive because it is a meaningful learning experience that children will remember forever. In addition, the horticultural program enhances the ability of students with learning difficulties to comprehend the subject matter. Children in this age bracket learn well when they ‘do.’ This program is an effective plan for teaching students scientific research in the modern interdisciplinary style advocated by authorities on education today.