Training for Garden Based Curriculum Integration

With generous support from a family foundation, the SGW established the Green Academy for Garden-Based Curriculum Integration in collaboration with the Tucson Unified School District. The primary purpose of the Green Academy is to encourage more extensive, consistent pedagogical use of school gardens at SGW-affiliated schools  by providing teachers and UA interns at these schools with a set of grade appropriate and subject specific, garden-based lesson plans. These lessons are developed according to Common Core standards and adhere to the principles of placed-based education. The Green Academy is also based on series of professional development workshops, offered each Fall and Spring during teacher contract time, that demonstrate the basics of gardening (soil science, composting, aquaponics, etc.) as well as how to take the lessons off the page and into the garden.