Workshops at the Garden Classroom

Come to a workshop in our model Garden Classroom to get inspiration and information on bringing learning to life in the garden! Take a tour of the 25-acre UCSC Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems while meeting and learning from other garden educators.

Workshop Cost: $200/day – 10% Early-Bird Registration Discount will be applied at check-out process for Garden Classroom workshops registered 14 days prior to workshop start date.

Upcoming Workshops

Responsive Outdoor Classroom Management

How can we possibly manage 30 students in an Outdoor Classroom?! Participants in this workshop will explore tried-and-true tips for establishing and maintaining a positive, engaging culture of learning and fun in a garden setting. Together we will experience and discuss setting the tone for effective learning; garden class routines; station rotations; and specific techniques to maximize student engagement and participation. We will also discuss year-round garden activity planning that supports academic and garden care goals.

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The Growing Classroom

Learn to use a garden to breathe life into standards-based lessons, promote ecological literacy, encourage healthy eating, and support students’ social development. Using Life Lab’s The Growing Classroom activity guide for grades K-6, participants in this hands-on workshop, experience tried-and-true garden-based lessons linked to Common Core Language Arts and Math and Next Generation Science Standards; practice basic gardening techniques; and develop management strategies for a school garden program.

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Responsive Classroom Management 4/21/23

The Growing Classroom 8/24-8/25/23

Next Generation Science in the Garden Workshop

Let’s apply the guiding principals of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to make our students the lead scientists in our garden lessons! This workshop is ideal for participants who have already attended the Intro to NGSS in the Garden Workshop or are otherwise familiar with NGSS. Using activities from Life Lab’s award-winning curricula, and/or lessons brought by participants themselves, participants in this workshop will spend a day developing, modifying, and sharing lessons for the garden using the NGSS approach.

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Plant to Plate

Make the connection from seed to table in this fun and delicious workshop. Using tried-and-true Life Lab lessons and recipes for grades K-8, participants explore effective ways to teach nutrition and encourage kids to eat more fruits and vegetables through hands-on activities with food, including harvesting and meal preparation.

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Next Generation Science in the Garden 9/14/23

Plant to Plate 10/12/23

Why Invest in Professional Development?

If you would like to be notified when we add new workshop dates, please join our email list.

ACCESSIBILITY

Workshops tend to be active through the garden which has some wood chipped, some dirt, and some paved areas. With advance notice, we can make modifications as needed to allow for participation from everyone. There is a 10-minute walk up an inclined dirt road from the parking lot to the Garden Classroom. See walking directions here. If you require more accessible parking we can accommodate you. Please contact us at 831-200-1864.

CANCELLATION POLICY

We understand that plans can change. Should you wish to cancel your registration, please submit, in writing, your cancellation to [email protected]. Your registration fee will be refunded, less a $50 administrative fee. Regretfully, we will not be able to refund any fees if cancellation is made within 2 weeks of the workshop date except, of course, in cases of illness or emergency.

FINANCIAL AID

Life Lab offers a limited number of workshop fee reductions based on need and anticipated impact. FinancialAssistanceApp.

PVUSD, SCCS & LOSD School Educators email us to learn more about reduced rate registration!

EDUCATION CREDITS

Continuing Education Credit available for $80 per unit through the University of the Pacific.

QUESTIONS?

Please contact [email protected]