“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”
-Audrey Hepburn

Watching 3rd grade students work in the Keystone garden in front of Stevens Hall with their teacher Dr. Kelly Wittwer is a joy to behold. Their fingers dig deep into the rich soil as they carefully plant whatever vegetables they chose that season. They pay deep attention to watering all of the plants, and they gleefully greet the newest sprouts.

In a demonstration of learning last Spring that was both impressive and delicious, the students explained the plant cycle, the benefits and uses of these particular greens, and the lessons learned by maintaining the garden. It does not get more “hands on” than this! And we dined on the veggies while the students presented their information.

Several years ago, Dr. Wittwer floated the idea of having a garden with one bed. Since then, it has grown to five metal tubs filled with artichokes, leafy vegetables, small watermelons, and other healthy and delectable home-grown plants.

Beyond providing a great way to get children to eat their veggies, the garden provides an excellent way for children to learn science. I asked Dr Wittwer a few questions about the gardening program.

Why did you begin the gardening program?

I can think of VERY few experiences that seamlessly and holistically combine so many great academic and spiritual learning goals AND life skills in one setting than partaking in a garden. The greater umbrella of outdoor adventures is my only comparison.

What are the educational goals of the program?

Basic major areas of science are coverable in the garden. In fact, all major Next Generation Science Standards could be accomplished in a garden-based curriculum. Having said that, areas of our current concentration include: Food web/life cycles, nutrient cycling, energy cycling, earth features, plant growth, recycling, nutrition, human health, food science, agriculture. My goals primarily are to:

• Encourage an understanding and appreciation of the life cycle of living things on earth and our need for a relationship to them,

• Instill an awe and wonder in the nature that is all around,

• Develop a sense of pride in their ability to provide an essential human need for themselves by feeding themselves what they have grown,

• Improve physical and emotional health via healthier eating and sense of peace in nature.

What have been the highlights of the program?

Seeing my students running to the garden at recess to eat whatever they can find and ask for knives to help split the strawberries among friends, ask for 2nds or 3rds when we have made something together from our garden and cooked it together, hearing from families that their child is eating new vegetables and has come home excited about gardening.

Dr. Wittwer added, “Food scarcity is prevalent in San Antonio and opportunities for restorative time in nature are too few. School gardening provides an outlet for both these things. In addition, if we want kids to love science we have to have them out in nature and having fun. Then they become curious and motivated. In my mind, gardening is a subset of the larger importance of Outdoor Education.”

The gardening program in third grade provides a wonderful example of inspiring teaching and engaging students. They are literally getting their hands dirty with real and authentic learning experiences, and in the process, children demonstrate their comprehension of the subject matter and the skills required to apply scientific understanding to real world situations.

Thank you to Dr. Wittwer and our students for inspiring and feeding us!