cathy law: courtyard gardens at new paltz hs

Courtyard Gardens

New Paltz High School

Creating School Gardens

Mission Statement

• To create an outdoor learning center dedicated to understanding and improving the environment.

• To enable learning that is problem based and interdisciplinary.

• To promote environmental stewardship.• To help build a positive school community.• To teach students valuable horticultural skills.• Promote food literacy and healthy eating

habits.

Gardeners in training

How to Start the Garden

The power of many working together is exceptional.

- Gloria Arrovo

Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.

- James Penney

AP Environmental Science class

Power of Many

• Project based on Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots. Helping the:

–Environment–Community–Animals

How to Maintain the Garden

• Environmental Club• Propose school-wide work parties- hang signs,

school announcements• Request volunteers from community and

school from email and facebook- send garden updates for times to volunteer (be sure to give back horticultural education or food)

How to Use the Garden

Sample class ideas

• Culinary Garden: Home and Careers- cooking classes • Scented garden: AP Biology- olfactory chemicals lab• Medicinal garden: World Languages- vocabulary• Native garden: Regents Biology- animal-plant ecology• Stone garden: Earth Science- rock identification• Zen garden: Social Studies- Buddhism• Bird Thicket: Field Biology- bird behavior• Butterfly garden- Field Biology- insect identification • Bee garden: Math classes- Fibonacci numbers• All gardens: Art classes- photography

Snacks in the Courtyard

Art in the Courtyard

Coffee in the Courtyard