STEM in the kitchen garden
This article was originally published by the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation on Tuesday 24 March, 2020.
This story was originally created in response to schools and services expressing concern about continuing to run kitchen garden classes in light of social distancing concerns due to COVID-19. We created seven stories with suggestions for delivering STEM, Arts, Recipes, Knife Skills, Literacy and Numeracy without the preparing and sharing.
Our second stage of resources, created for members, delves more deeply into curriculum links and specific topics of interest. Please see our KGP at home collection on the Shared Table. For information on becoming a member head to this page.
Now is the perfect time to slow down and get on top of that wish-list you may not have had time for, and those skills to be perfected, regardless of physical distancing. For those looking for ways to maintain a thriving kitchen garden classroom without the preparing and sharing, we have compiled a list for you below.
STEM in the kitchen garden
We have a range of opportunities and simple ideas to reinforce and enhance science and technology skills and concepts taught in the classroom. You may already be using some of these ideas without even thinking about it, but hopefully there are also a few new ideas to inspire your kitchen and garden classes.
- Find out about the science of agriculture in dry conditions and then use this information to design a garden for minimal water use.
- Investigate why a fresh egg sinks and an old egg floats. Research the structure of the egg – what is it that is causing the egg to float more and more, the older it gets?
- Research the lifecycle of a plant or animal found in the garden and present your findings using a life cycle diagram.
- Measure the pH level of the soil in your garden, this will help establish where your soil health is at and give indicators on how to fix it.
- Identify reversible and irreversible changes in the kitchen such as freezing, melting, evaporating and condensing. Discuss how these principles are used in recipes.
Take a look at both our kitchen and garden science posters for more great ideas on incorporating science into your kitchen garden.
Sharing
If you are a Program or member school or service and not sharing food during this time, remember there are other ways we can share! One way is to let us know about all the great work happening in your kitchen and garden on the Shared Table. Remember to take a landscape picture and fill in the details of your activity to let the whole kitchen garden community know what you’re up to. You are able to like and comment on other schools or services’ activities as well and keep connected!
We would like to advise that this information provided is general in nature and not specific. Please check your local government websites to make sure your program can adhere to Health and Safety Practices specific to your area.
For more information and support or to become a member, contact our Support Team on 13000 SAKGF (13000 72543) or support@kitchengardenfoundation.org.au
< Back to Latest News