About the Project

Kinoshita Elementary is a Title 1 school that serves a diverse community of students ranging from preschool to fifth grade. Our STEM garden will serve as an outdoor learning lab for all of our students and provide a unique opportunity to integrate STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) into our curriculum while promoting outdoor activity and healthy living. Research shows that outdoor education can have a significant impact on student learning and development. By providing hands-on experiences, students are able to make connections between what they learn in the classroom and the real world. Additionally, a STEM garden can serve as a tool to teach important life skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and responsibility. Our STEM garden will be divided into different sections to cater to the different grade levels. For example, preschoolers will learn about basic plant life while fifth graders will learn about plant genetics and engineering. Additionally, the garden will provide opportunities to teach math skills such as measurement and geometry. The garden will include features such as raised garden beds, mesh animal protection measures, gardening tools, and automated irrigation and self-watering systems. We will also include technology such as weather sensors and soil moisture monitors to collect data and provide opportunities for analysis and interpretation.