Post on 02-Aug-2015
Formal Education at Public Gardens
2011 APGA Presentation
Patsy Benveniste, Vice PresidentEducation and Community Programs
What Does “Formal Education” Mean?
Formal education in public gardens means
lessons, activities and classes that
Convene students (of any age) in a structured way under the guidance of a subject-qualified teacher
Have defined educational goals with associated curricula and materials
Are capable of evaluation and replication
What is its Use?
Formal education programs
Signal a garden’s philosophy, values and future direction
Allow the garden to communicate in depth with the larger knowledge community
Effect change
What is Formal Education’s Leverage Power?
Benefits the garden’s ongoing operations
Inspires and motivates short and long term goals
Influences public discourse and action about the environment
Shapes innovation in the education system
Brings sustainable practices and behaviors to broad awareness
Who are the Audiences? Early Childhood Elementary school students After school students (Scouts, etc.) Child specialty High School students – in school and summer College students – in school and summer Post-graduate students Teachers, PreK-12 Adult life-long learners Adult landscape workers Adult certificate students Adult healthcare and design professionals Corporate sustainability managers Human service agency sites City and county environmental managers (forest preserve districts,
natural areas managers)
Richard J. Daley CollegeArturo Velasquez West Side Technical
Institute/ Continuing Education
CoursePrefix/# Course Title
Course Description
Credithours
Lecture LabContact ContactHours Hours
1.2/01.06.08Basic HorticultureThis course will introduce students to basic concepts of Horticulture with emphasis on basic anatomy, terminology, and functions of plants and professions surrounding culture and use of ornamental plants.
3Lecture =1
Contact: 48Hours: 48
1.2/01.06.08Managing Urban Green SpaceThis subject will provide an understanding of how to manage urban green space. The study policy, planning and process issues, community consultation, structures, systems and contractual relationships, landscape documentation, project planning and implementation, life-cycle analysis of landscape elements, urban vegetation planning, implementation and maintenance, sustainability concepts and examples.
3Lecture Lab 1-4
Contact: 48Hours: 48
1.2/01.06.08Horticultural Plant ScienceThis subject covers the structure and function of plants and plant tissues, cell physiology, energy transformations, metabolism, photosynthesis, plant nutrition, water and nutrient uptake and transport and whole plant physiology.
3Lecture Lab 1-4
Contact: 48Hours: 48
Secondary, Undergrad and Grad Studies
Library Collections
Health & Wellness
Adult Continuing Education
Science Camps &
After-School
Teacher Training
K-8School Field
Trips
Informal Programs
Kids & Families
Garden Site Education
Hort Therapy for Clients atAgency Sites
Adult workforce training &
certification
Youth Training In
Communities
School-based teacher and
student training
School Garden Assistance
CommunityGarden Support
Off-Site Education
Consultation,design and staff training services
Cooperative, Multi-garden
Initiatives
Citizen Scienceprograms
Collaborative, multi-site adult
courses
K-8 Curriculumdissemination
& training
Hybrid Teaching andCertification
Programs
Hybrid Education
Hallmarks of Good Programs
Place-based
Project-based
Developmentally appropriate
Accessible
Internally collaborative
Responsive to external standards
Evaluated
Basic Rules for Delivery and Management
Education programs should be
Reflective of the garden’s larger mission
Able to take full advantage of the garden’s natural and designed spaces
Sensitive to the audience
Internally collaborative
Connected with the larger community
Business smart
Start with Staff
Hire an educator first!
Quality trumps quantity -- and sustains itself over time
Find a way to offer professional development on a regular basis
Put educators in dialogue with other department staff, no silos allowed
Welcome volunteer expertise and assistance, but manage it carefully
Funding the Programs
Garden-based programs are sexy to funders
A balance of earned and raised revenue signals astute management
Ambitious programs evolve over time: “under promise and over deliver”
Understand and implement ongoing program evaluation