The aim of the project is to teach STEAM through practical activities in urban gardens and by integrating permaculture values. Participants in the project include educators who have expressed a desire to participate, as well as children, who will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the garden space as a rich environment for teaching and learning through the curriculum, especially in the field of STEAM. Considerations of ecological and social justice will frame all aspects of the project, with a particular emphasis on the place, the city from which they come (personal, cultural, and geographical position and identity) in garden education. Extensive engagement in gardening practices, food preparation activities, and critical dialogue will be pedagogical methods of exploration throughout the project.
The idea is to support, expand existing initiatives, or promote new actions related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in education, particularly in preschool institutions.
The project consortium is committed to the idea of lifelong learning, staff development, expanding their experience, providing opportunities for younger staff to gain valuable experience for further advancement, and enabling older staff members to retrain.
PROJECT INNOVATIONS
The project is innovative in that there is not much existing material that comprehensively applies garden learning procedures in STEAM in preschool.
More Kindergarten will contribute its expertise as a preschool throughout the project.
The results that will follow after the project’s completion are:
1. Handbook of best practices on garden learning and educational material development
2. UrbSTEAM Online tool with resources for educators
3. Development of an interactive UrbSTEAM platform