About – Global Gardens

Sprouts of confidence. Nurtured with peace. Rooted in science.

Global Gardens empowers students and families through inquiry-based learning that takes place in the garden. Our holistic model teaches students about science, peace, health, and the environment, while challenging them to become caring, engaged community members. As our students plan and cultivate their gardens, they grow the confidence and skills to create positive changes in their lives and the world around them.

Science

Science is intrinsic to gardening, and it is the core of Global Gardens’ curriculum. Our garden-based lessons build STEM knowledge and reinforce Oklahoma science standards. But more important than what our students learn is how they learn: through student-led inquiry. In Global Gardens, students’ own questions and ideas drive the activities, sparking investigation and problem solving. Putting students in the driver’s seat builds their curiosity, learning motivation, and science identity.

Peace

Global Gardens is rooted in the international discipline of peace education, which emphasizes the dignity of all people and all living things. We teach students peaceful methods of collaboration and conflict resolution, as well as strategies for relieving stress and sharing emotions. As their ability to manage inner and interpersonal conflict grows, students form deeper relationships with themselves and others, which fosters increased learning and greater social-emotional well being.

Empowerment

At Global Gardens, our primary aim is to help students believe that their voices and actions are powerful. We guide them in dreaming up their gardens, setting goals, and taking the steps to achieve them. Through hard work and perseverance, students learn that they have the ability to make things grow. This process builds their confidence, which turns into excitement about what they can accomplish in other parts of their lives. We help them apply scientific thinking to social problems, and we give them the space and support to test out creative solutions.