Case Study: garden education programming in public schools
Abstract
Beverly Public Schools Beverly, MA 400 Third Grade Students Elementary Education
This study describes the effects of garden based education on children’s vegetable consumption and academic achievement. Not only does hands on garden programming increase the amounts and variety of produce consumed by children, it also increases their attentiveness and grades in the classroom. Past research provides statistics about engagement in the classroom setting in conjunction with garden programming and the positive impact on test scores. Results from our own research indicate a positive correlation between our garden education program and students’ familiarity with different types of produce, willingness to consume them, and understanding of sustainable food systems and their benefits.
