On July 3-5 over 40 VSB classroom teachers gathered in The Orchard Garden to participate in the Think&EatGreen@School 2nd Annual Summer Institute. Think&EatGreen (http://thinkeatgreen.ca/) is a multi-organizational research project focused on implementing healthy food systems within the learning communities of the Vancouver School Board. Part of this initiative includes inspiring and educating teachers on the multiple possibilities of using school gardens as outdoor classrooms as well as getting locally produced, organic food into cafeterias.
The Summer Institute included many workshops led by the faculties of UBC Land and Food Systems and Education, as well as other educational partners from the Environmental Youth Alliance, Vancouver Coastal Health, Farm to Cafeteria Canada, and public schools Tyee Elementary, Windermere Secondary, Sexsmith Elementary, and Vancouver Technical Secondary.
Workshop topics included:
- Food production, preparation, consumption and composting
- Tool safety, use and maintenance
- Teaching science in the garden
- Watering and irrigation
- Connecting the food cycle to the curriculum
- Integrating local food into the kitchen, lunchroom and classroom
teachers learned how to harvest yukon gold potatoes!
Dr. Art Bomke demonstrated how to prepare a site for soil amendments and planting
Alaina Thebault discussed the importance of pollinators and flowering plants in the school garden
Eric Drewes demonstrated the necessary maintenance for compost production
So excited for this 5-year research project to build momentum and continue inspiring educators and administrators! Hope you can join in the 3rd Annual Summer Institute next July! For more info: http://thinkeatgreen.ca/about/summary/
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