FRESH Ideas

Feb 16, 2022

5-4-3-2-1

The last few years have brought about a new or intensified feeling in many people, including children: the feeling of anxiety. Being outside and connecting with nature can help alleviate anxiety. Grounding techniques can also help to control symptoms of anxiety by turning attention away from stressors and refocusing on the present. This grounding technique,… 

Jan 20, 2022

Building Excitement for Spring

Hopefully you can continue to find ways to engage students in the garden or nature spaces through the winter (SEL Activities are a great way to do this). However, there are some indoor ways to build excitement for the spring garden and get some of the prep work done in advance, too! Request seed catalogs and… 

Jan 19, 2022

Nature Bracelets

Winter can be an interesting time in the garden, though the leaves have fallen and there usually isn’t much growing in the garden at this time. It can still be a great time for discovery. One of my favorite discovery activities in the garden or outdoor classroom is making nature bracelets. Each student is given… 

Dec 13, 2021

Building Culture

One new “ah ha” take-away from our completion of the Life Lab-Certified Garden Educator program was the tremendous importance of establishing events that build culture around the school garden. An annual pumpkin toss at an elementary school in Atlanta, Georgia, is one example that stood out. After Halloween, students (and even former students) bring their… 

Dec 13, 2021

Teachers Earn Certification

Congratulations to those teachers across the nation who were part of the first cohort to become Life Lab-Certified Garden Educators. Amy Bowman and Doug Vernon, our Plants for Human Health Institute STEM Education duo, completed the certification as did three teachers in the Cabarrus County School System. Megan CharltonDistrict STEM Coach K-8JN Fries Middle and… 

Dec 13, 2021

Winter Sound Maps

While I love the holiday season, December always seems so hectic and rushed; it can take its toll on me. The same can be true for students this time of year, with holiday excitement can also come anxiety. This month’s SEL activity, Winter Sound Maps, is a great way to slow down, pause to connect… 

Dec 6, 2021

5 Tidying Tips

While a few crops, like kale and Brussels sprouts, may still be producing, most of the fall garden will be put to bed for winter. Below are 5 tips to help prep for winter downtime. For those plants you want to keep going, simply add a protective layer of mulch and keep a frost blanket… 

Dec 6, 2021

Weather Stations

Weather is something that affects our lives in a big way, from what we wear and where we choose to live, work and play, to the kinds and availability of the food we grow and eat. Adding a weather station to your school garden can be an engaging way to study weather by collecting data… 

Dec 6, 2021

Fall-themed Nature Mandalas

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year with cool crisp mornings and sunny warm afternoons. It is also a time when the garden is winding down for the season and it can be difficult to plan outdoor activities during the colder months. Nature mandalas are one way to connect with nature year-round…