Jefferson Elementary is growing more than plants in its school garden. It is growing curious minds and young scientists, one investigation at a time.
At Jefferson Elementary, learning extends beyond the classroom and into our school gardens! Students participate in hands-on investigations, garden scavenger hunts, and outdoor explorations and observations that bring science to life.
As young scientists, students observe plants, search for insects, investigate their surroundings, and ask questions about the natural world. These experiences encourage curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of living things and their environments.
"Taking my students outside to our school garden provides my learners with the hands-on learning they crave, deserve, and need,” said teacher Ilana Goldstein. “Outdoor learning builds powerful connections between their growing knowledge, their lived experiences, and their rich communities. My students engage in critical thinking practices -- primarily the routine See, Think, Wonder -- with the natural world that they can immediately and meaningfully access."
Lucia Brea, another Jefferson teacher, said: “Our gardens are more than green spaces; they are outdoor classrooms where students connect science to the world around them while developing an appreciation for nature and environmental stewardship.”