I’ve been a teacher educator for 15 years. I started with literacy methods, then migrated to science, but what I most love to teach is garden pedagogy. Thanks to @ucmastergardenersnapaco I was able to bring lessons I learned from @ucdstudentfarm Life Lab and @beetlesproject to Napa. From 2013-2017 the #SchoolGardenTaskForce hosted several workshops aimed at increasing the horticultural knowledge of garden educators. I found a community of like-minded folks to connect with in California. #communityconnection
Life Lab cultivates children’s love of learning, healthy food, and nature through garden-based education.
Drawing on over forty years of work with young people in gardens, Life Lab, is a national leader in the garden-based learning movement. Through workshops and consultations, we have provided tens of thousands of educators across the country with the inspiration and information necessary to engage young people in gardens and on farms. Our workshops and award-winning publications are the go-to resource for educators and families interested in engaging young people in gardens. At the Life Lab Garden Classroom educational center in Santa Cruz and the Blooming Classroom garden in Watsonville, we promote experiential learning for people of all ages through field trips, children’s camps, and teacher workshops.
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See How We are Changing the Nature of Education
Life Lab History
It all started in 1979 with a team of inspired teachers, some open land outside a classroom, and a vision. Since the first Life Lab school garden was created at Green Acres Elementary School in Santa Cruz, CA, Life Lab has continuously engaged young people in gardens and taught others to do the same. View a timeline of our history documented on our blog.
Life Lab in the News
From the New York Times to our local TV stations, Life Lab has been press-worthy for over thirty years. View 35 plus years of press.
Recognition for Life Lab
Life Lab has won numerous awards and has been acclaimed by the following groups and individuals, among others:
- National Science Teachers Association
- National Science Foundation
- National Science Resources Center/Smithsonian Institute
- California School Board Association
- U.S. Department of Education
- National Academy of Sciences
- U.S. Congressional Record
- California Senator Bruce McPherson
- United Way Family Friendly Workplace
- Santa Cruz Education Foundation
- Santa Cruz City Council
- National Parenting Publications Awards, Honors Winner
- Independent Publisher Book Awards
- Parents’ Choice Book Awards, Gold Medal
- Tillywig Toy Award: Books, Brain Child Award
For media inquiries, contact John Fisher, Outreach Director – gardendirector@lifelab.org or 831.471.7831(cell)
