Garden program

Syllabus outcomes - Science

Early Stage 1

Observations and questions spark curiosity

• STE-SCI-01

identifies and describes characteristics of living things, properties of materials, and movement

Stage 1

Investigations of changes provide knowledge and understanding

• ST1-SCI-01

measures and describes changes in living things, materials, movement, Earth and the sky

Stage 2

Physical and living systems depend on energy

• ST2-SCI-01

uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems

Stage 3

Knowledge of our world and beyond inspires sustainable solutions

• ST3-SCI-01

uses evidence to explain how scientific knowledge can be used to develop sustainable practices

Syllabus outcomes - Geography

ES1

People are connected to places

• HSE-GEO-01

Stage 1

People are connected to places and groups

• HS1-GEO-01

Stage 2

Geographical information is used to understand the world

• HS2-GEO-01

Stage 3

Geographical information is used to plan for sustainable futures

• HS3-GEO-01

We’ll explore the reasons for growing food and go through the plan for the program. We will focus on preparing garden beds and discuss what we need to have a thriving garden. Participants will learn how to make healthy soil, garden safety, and how to choose what to grow and why. We’ll also provide guidance on training garden monitors to support ongoing garden care. This session will include a hands-on session in the garden preparing the beds for the rest of the program.

This session covers essential plant growth needs, including planning for different climates and seasons, understanding seed and plant types, and the stages of a seed. Participants will learn sowing techniques, seedling transplantation, caring for plants and seeds, and maintaining the garden to ensure healthy growth throughout the year. This will include a hands-on session in the garden planting seeds and seedlings.

We will explore the wonderful world of compost and why we need it as part of a healthy school garden. Students will learn how to make it, how to manage it and what makes good compost. We will explore different types of compost, what can go in the compost, how to keep it healthy and troubleshooting. We can work with what the school already has, or we can start a compost from scratch.

We will explore the magical world of living things in the soil. Using the digital microscope and magnifying glasses we will explore the creatures that help make healthy soils, from worms to beneficial microbes. We will discuss the soil food web and where relevant how to maintain a worm farm. This will also include garden maintenance and ongoing care of the garden.

We will explore where food comes from and the benefits of growing our own. We will look at food miles and the nutritional value of fresh, organic and chemical-free produce. We will discuss the health benefits of growing food and where appropriate we can harvest food for eating, culminating with making something to eat from the garden.

Cost

$5 per student per day

Location

Run at your school