A Living Laboratory for Learning: The School Garden as an Educational Tool

2025-02-25

As the world grapples with pressing environmental and health challenges such as antibiotic resistance, innovative approaches to education are more important than ever. To support educators in integrating school gardens into their teaching, ReAct has developed a practical guide titled "Huerta Escolar y Mundo Microbiano" (School Health and the Microbial World) that offers valuable insights into creating and maintaining school gardens as spaces for learning about food cultivation and soil microbiology. Silvina Alessio, ReAct Latin America, who developed the guide, shares her perspective on how school gardens can inspire and educate.

School gardens can serve as living laboratories where students explore sustainability, food systems, and antibiotic resistance through hands-on learning.

This comprehensive resource, authored by Silvina Alessio, ReAct Latin America, transforms the school garden into what she calls “a living laboratory” where children can directly observe cultivation processes and understand the critical role of soil microorganisms in food production. As coordinator of the Alforja Educativa project at ReAct Latin America, this since 2012, Alessio brings her extensive experience in environmental education to this practical guide.

The following interview with Silvina Alessio explores her vision for school gardens and how they can impact children’s learning, health, and connection to nature.

What is the central message of the guide?

The central message is to understand and value the function of microorganisms in the life of the earth and their role in the production of healthy food. The garden is a living laboratory where children and teachers can interact with nature in a practical way, directly observing cultivation processes and the importance of soil beyond just its physical appearance.

How was this guide developed?

It wasn’t an isolated process. We worked with various educational communities, beginning by exploring children’s prior knowledge about the microbial world and bacteria in the soil. Later, we designed playful activities to help children understand the importance of microorganisms in agricultural production. The impact of the project has transcended borders, expanding to different countries and awakening interest among teachers and communities seeking to implement school gardens as pedagogical tools.

What advice would you give to schools wanting to start a garden but don’t know where to begin?

It’s not necessary to have large tracts of land. You can make gardens in pots, recycled tires, or any available space. The guide offers a detailed chapter on how to start a garden from scratch, including soil preparation, seed selection, and planting strategies appropriate for each season.

How do you think School Gardens impact children’s learning and motivation?

This experience leaves an indelible mark on students, allowing them to connect with the land and understand natural processes that would otherwise go unnoticed. All curricular areas can be integrated into the garden, turning it into a space where different learnings come together in a practical and meaningful way. Beyond knowledge about soil and crops, the garden promotes comprehensive education that strengthens children’s social, emotional, and cooperative skills, as well as values like solidarity, responsibility, and empathy.

How does learning about soil microbiology affect children’s health?

Understanding the relationship between growing food and healthy eating helps children improve their nutrition and reduce unnecessary consumption of medications and antibiotics. When children grasp how soil nutrition influences plant growth and food quality, they develop a more holistic perspective on health that begins with the soil itself.