EdenAcres Environmental Education
Education · Environment · Community
440-479-4813
School Gardens
Children are intrinsically motivated to learn. They do so through play and exploring the world around them. Abundant time in natural settings yields long term benefits in children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. On top of all that, nature is the perfect place to learn about the world we live in. The natural world provides the living context in which to learn about cycles, interdependence, energy and resources, scale and limits, diversity, succession, and sustainability. space where children can explore the natural world & learn to ask relevant questions, develop problem-solving skills & processes for thinking and searching for answers, & learn how to live, work, & communicate cooperatively.
A successful learning environment consists of three interacting parts:
Curriculum, Physical Environment, and
Organizational Infrastructure
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Curriculum Design - We work with your teachers and administration to integrate hands-on, project-based learning into your curriculum. Our curricula promote social-emotional learning and eco-literacy, as well as improve academic achievement across the academic disciplines while enhancing student engagement. Integrated curriculum comes with professional development for teachers to get them ready to teach in their new outdoor classrooms.
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Green Schoolyards - In collaboration with school faculty, staff, and administration, we reimagine the schoolyard and transform it into a space that provides safe and functional learning environments. Our outdoor classrooms ensure the health and safety of your students and teachers.
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Funding - We understand that budgets are tight. So, we partner with school districts and local organizations and companies to embed funding for developing green schoolyards and outdoor classrooms through grant writing, fundraising, and donations.
Explore a variety of hands-on virtual garden lessons for grades K-4th! Come along as we visit our school gardens, local farms, and more!
Fun for everyone! Our virtual field trips explore local gardens and farms and have printable accompanying resources.
Read along as Elin shares some of our favorite garden stories! Do you have a book you'd like Elin to read? Send us a note at schoolgardens@fgsd.k12.or.us
Fall STEM Garden Activities for Curious Young Scientists
Welcome fall with fun, hands-on STEM activities that bring science, math, and engineering to life in the school or home garden. Perfect for classrooms or family fun, these activities connect students with nature, sparking curiosity and fostering a love for learning!
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1. Leaf Chromatography
Uncover the secret colors hiding in fall leaves! Collect leaves of different colors and extract pigments by soaking them in rubbing alcohol. As colors separate, students can see the hidden pigments that help leaves change with the seasons. Got leftover Halloween candy? Compare and contrast the natural pigmants in leaves with the artificial dyes in candy. Check out this link for more exciting things to do with all that leftover candy!
2. Pumpkin Math & Measurements
Turn pumpkin time into math time! Weigh, measure, and estimate the number of seeds in each pumpkin before cutting it open to count. It's a hands-on way to practice math skills and learn about nature’s patterns.
3. Soil Science Explorations
Discover the world beneath your feet! Test soil samples from your garden to explore texture, moisture, and pH levels. Students will learn about soil health and why it matters for growing plants.
4. Miniature Composting
Create a small compost pile in a clear container for an up-close look at decomposition. Layer leaves, soil, food scraps, and water, and observe how natural materials break down and transform over time.
5. DIY Bird Feeders
Engineer a bird feeder using natural materials like pine cones or branches. Coat with nut butter and seeds, then hang around the garden to observe which designs attract the most birds. It’s a creative way to learn about wildlife and engineering!
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These STEM activities help students connect with nature, build critical thinking skills, and discover the wonders of science right in their backyard. Perfect for fall, these projects are designed to inspire young scientists and bring learning to life in the garden!