From gardening to science: Teachers learn, students benefit

Iowa State University Extension "is playing an important role in educating teachers," according to Waterloo teacher Carol Boyce. "Research-based content presented by Extension experts has assisted teachers in continuing education, which in turn has had a direct impact in classrooms."

Boyce said she appreciates the thorough training ISU Extension provides with curriculum and the hands-on activities that blend multiple curricular areas in lessons that are suited to a variety of learning styles. She also recognizes another benefit.

"I have used Growing in the Garden and the E-SET (Extension -- Science, Engineering and Technology) curriculums with my students and for me, the free material that supports the curriculums is one of the most valuable services Extension offers," Boyce said. "By providing necessary supplies, books and resources, Extension is assisting educators in creating exciting hands-on, meaningful lessons."

Jen Smith, Newman Catholic Elementary teacher, likes to start her lessons with a story. Children's literature is provided as part of the Growing in the Garden curriculum.

ISU Extension added music, children's literature, fun experiments and a few famous gardeners to extensive research and created Growing in the Garden. More than 1,000 teachers have been trained to teach this K-3 curriculum.

"Growing in the Garden fits right into my curriculum," said Sue Brager, a teacher at Newman Catholic Elementary in Mason City. "I can use the lessons as they are, or incorporate them into other lessons."

Growing in the Garden, one of ISU Extension's newest curricula, is designed to fit standards and benchmarks for many Iowa schools. It was written by Janet Anderson, coordinator for the Extension 21 Food, Fiber and Environmental Science program, and horticulturist Linda Naeve, in collaboration with Cindy Haynes, an ISU Extension horticulturist, to connect students with the soil. Anderson, Haynes and other ISU horticulturists have provided Growing in the Garden experiential training since the "sprouting" of the program in August 1999.

"The training was wonderful!" Brager said. "We went through the lesson as students, with Janet Anderson as our teacher. We acted out the play, played the games, everything. It was really helpful seeing how those who wrote the curriculum would teach the lessons. I have shared the materials with the social studies, reading, art, music and religion teachers in our building."

E-SET is another ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development curriculum that added new components this past year. It is designed to help prepare youth for the future in science and math literacy. Subjects include aerospace, astronomy, biotechnology and engineering with titles that reflect the curriculum's sense of experiential learning -- Marsville, Funtivities, Bridge Building, Robotix: Roving on Mars, Exploring the Universe and Rockets Away!

Teachers in five AEAs will be introduced to a new E-SET curriculum and "tubs" this summer during 13 workshops, according to Steve Truby, ISU Extension youth initiative specialist with E-SET. The tubs contain science equipment for an entire class -- microscopes, telescopes, DNA testing kits, potentially up to $1,000 worth of materials. Teachers will experience a curriculum that takes the ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development program's focus on life skills and uses it to teach content skills.

"I appreciate having a list of all the extension kits available so I can plan where to incorporate them into my units," Boyce said. "With just a phone call, I can pick up a huge tub which includes the lesson plans and all supplies needed to teach the unit." 

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• Last update: June 20, 2000