Students learn about ecosystems through gardening!
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Students at Summit School participated in weekly gardening with volunteers and teachers. Objectives were to teach students about the value of fresh food and how gardens create ecosystems for a variety of organisms. Students learned how beneficial insects can eliminate the need for pesticides, which are toxic. They composted and learned about enriching the soil so plants are healthy and vibrant. They also learned how to harvest seeds and the importance of preserving pure seeds uncontaminated by chemicals or GMO's. The enjoyed watching the ladybugs in the garden and understood the work they were doing in eating smaller insects. This also reinforced the food chain concept. This is a drought-prone area, so students also learned about the importance of planting drought-tolerant plants that need little irrigation and methods to grow vegetables with minimal water. Student enjoyed eating vegetables from their garden, trying new foods, and eating fresh rather than cooked vegetables. They were able to pick and eat, which was exciting for them. Students were able to observe continual changes in the growth of the plants in their garden creating a more place-based awareness of their community.