+34
A Gold Coast school is using its greenhouse to grow food and teach maths and science, with research suggesting the hands-on approach can improve attendance and engagement.
Research suggests this kind of learning can improve engagement, wellbeing and learning. Applications are now open for another five south-east Queensland schools to join the program.
It's warm, it's green and, for these students at Pacific Pines State High School, it's definitely not a typical classroom. Pacific Pines is one of nine south-east Queensland schools to benefit from a greenhouse program run by not-for-profit Food Ladder. The organisation has 68 school greenhouses operating across Australia.
The program aims to tackle food insecurity, but research suggests that learning to grow food could help a student learn maths and science, and even give them a reason to come to school. Year 8 student Lilly Anne Robins said growing produce had given her a new perspective on its value.
"Especially for parents out there, if you don't have a lot of money but you're able to grow all of this produce, vegetables and fruits, it makes you feel a lot better because you know that you've grown this yourself, you've put hard work into it and you get to use it. "ABC News: Berge BreilandFood Ladder chief executive Kelly McJannett said the program is teaching students a valuable life skill.
"This is not a handout, this is not free food, this is food that children have grown and nurtured," she said. "Students plant the seeds, monitor the conditions and eventually harvest the produce, which can then be taken home or used in cooking classes. " Pacific Pines State High School students care for rows of lettuce, herbs and vegetables inside a high-tech greenhouse. For student Lucy Brock, that connection between the greenhouse and the kitchen was part of the appeal.
Learning STEM skills by growing food Inside the greenhouse, the education goes beyond horticulture, taking science, technology, engineering and maths out of the textbook and applying them to the real world. Students learn about water temperature, growing conditions and the technology used to maintain the greenhouse environment. Students Jesse Walton and Ahmed Maryol from the Gold Coast's Pacific Pines High School admiring their plants.
"It's science as well, using the AI, how it's made, how the water goes through it, the fans. " For Lilly Anne, seeing how the plants responded to different conditions changed the way she thought about growing food. "I thought all water is the same for plants but … the plants rely on the temperature of the water," she said. Bridget Gutteridge is head of the Business and Home Economics department at Pacific Pines State School.
Teacher Bridget Gutteridge, who has helped drive the program at Pacific Pines, said interest in the greenhouse was spreading.
"From STEM, we've had geography classes reach out. "We've also had business classes interested to grow and then sell their produce as a little side business. " Adolescent-education expert Donna Pendergast, from Griffith Institute for Educational Research, agreed. Donna Pendergast says the research suggests this kind of hands-on learning has benefits well beyond the garden.
"Students are learning practical skills, applying classroom knowledge to real-world problems and working collaboratively," Professor Pendergast said. A reason to come to school Professor Pendergast said hands-on food programs could give students a greater sense of purpose, responsibility and belonging.
"They don't want to miss anything that's happening in the greenhouse, so attendance rates tend to increase on those days. "Lessons could last long after students leave school Food Ladder hopes the program will give students skills they can take with them long after they leave education. The Gold Coast's Pacific Pines is one of nine south-east Queensland schools to benefit from a greenhouse program.
For Ms McJannett, teaching young people how to grow their own food is about more than what ends up on their plate.
"The same applies here. Let's teach them how to grow food, give young people the tools that they need and set them on their path for the future. "
Food Insecurity Greenhouse Food Ladder Pacific Pines State High School School Refusal Vegetables STEM School Greenhouses Attendance
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canadian Sailor Survives Nightmarish Sinking Off Remote Indian Ocean Coast70-year-old James Rutledge narrowly escaped death after his catamaran began taking on water 1,000 kilometers from land, forcing him to navigate a submerged life raft and cut himself loose from a stuck dinghy while injured.
Read more »
Five luxury coastal homes for sale in Sorrento, South Coast, Byron Bay and Benowa WatersA roundup of five luxury coastal homes on the market, featuring properties in Sorrento, the South Coast, Byron Bay and Benowa Waters with pools, spas, ocean views and resort-style outdoor living.
Read more »
Our five favourite luxury homes by the coast for saleWhether it’s the sound of crashing waves, the water views, the salt air, or the outdoor lifestyle, there’s nothing quite like living in or visiting your holiday home by the coast.
Read more »
Gold Coast Cats boss Andrew Mackie clears air on Zak Butters pursuit failureGold Coast Cats head of football Andrew Mackie addressed the failed pursuit of Zak Butters, stating that while Geelong was reluctant to trade, the Cats were prepared to meet Port Adelaide demands within reason. Mackie expressed optimism about the clubs future cap space and linked them to potential targets Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Matt Rowell.
Read more »