This web page and the pages linked to are for historical purposes only and do not contain the most up-to-date information.
Hawai‘i Island students are producing their own food in school gardens and developing a taste for healthy, fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, edible flowers, and more. In turn, they and their families are learning about health and nutrition, how to nurture and keep island soils healthy, and how our ma uka or “uphill” work protects our oceans. And about how we—as individuals, families, and a society—can care for the island and its communities.
Numerous studies show that school learning gardens improve academic performance in a wide spectrum of subjects, foster positive attitudes toward learning, bolster healthy behaviors and nutrition, promote cooperation and teamwork, and instill children with pride in their work and the food they grow.
WATCH: Hawai‘i Island School Garden Network featured in Hau‘oli Mau Loa Foundation’s Hope for Kids initiative
At public, private, and charter schools across the island—from cool, breezy South Kohala to tropical Hilo, from sunny South Kona to verdant Hāmākua—more than 16 acres (700,000 square feet) of school learning gardens have been planted, annually yielding 15 tons (30,000 pounds) of food for these students and their school communities to enjoy. And in the process, deeper learning of mathematics, social studies, language arts, fine arts, and the natural sciences is taking place in these vibrant, engaging outdoor classrooms.
Hawai‘i School Garden Curriculum Map now available!
/in HISGN Announcements /by liamThe Hawai‘i School Garden Curriculum was created by teachers for busy teachers who may not be gardeners themselves, but intuitively understand the benefits of inquiry-based, place-based, project-based learning for their students. Released at the beginning of the 2016–2017 school year, the Hawai‘i School Garden Curriculum Map is a pathway to connect core curriculum in the […]