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Only $1,992.05 Needed

 

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Goal

The goal of this project is to create a vegetable garden that integrates science education and promotes inclusion by pairing students with disabilities with peer buddies. This garden will serve as a hands-on learning environment where students can explore scientific concepts such as plant biology, ecosystems, and the water cycle, while also developing practical life skills and fostering meaningful social interactions. Through collaborative activities, such as planting, observing growth patterns, and measuring plant development, students will gain foundational knowledge in science and build connections with their peers in a supportive and inclusive setting tailored to their diverse needs. 

 

Category

Learning Aids - Sunshine state book sets, robotics kits, puzzle boards, science models, engineering supplies, etc. 

 

What will be done with my students

This garden project provides numerous educational benefits, with a focus on inclusivity and engagement for all students:

1. Hands-On Learning: Students will engage in hands-on activities such as planting, caring for plants, and harvesting, which enhances learning through real-world experience. This encourages the development of motor skills and the understanding of plant growth cycles.

2. Inclusion and Collaboration: The garden project will foster an inclusive environment where students of all abilities can participate. Students with diverse learning needs will collaborate with their peers in a supportive setting, promoting social interaction and teamwork. This encourages mutual respect, understanding, and camaraderie.

3. Life Skills Development: Through gardening tasks, students will develop essential life skills such as responsibility, problem-solving, and perseverance. These skills are transferable to other areas of life, helping students gain confidence in their abilities.

4. Sensory Engagement: The garden offers a multi-sensory environment that benefits students with sensory processing challenges. Activities like touching soil, smelling herbs, and observing plant growth provide sensory stimulation that can improve focus and emotional regulation.

5. Social-Emotional Learning: Working together in the garden allows students to learn how to communicate effectively, share responsibilities, and manage tasks in a group. These experiences support social-emotional growth and encourage self-esteem.

6. Access to Nature: The garden offers all students the opportunity to connect with nature, which has been shown to have therapeutic benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety, and improved mental well-being.

7. Academic Enrichment: The project provides an interactive platform to reinforce subjects like science, math, and environmental studies. Students will apply academic concepts like measurement, observation, and data collection in a real-world context.

8. Fostering a Growth Mindset: Through observing and caring for plants, students learn the value of persistence, resilience, and the rewards of effort. This fosters a growth mindset, helping students to approach challenges with confidence.

By incorporating these benefits, the garden project ensures that all students—regardless of their abilities—have the opportunity to engage meaningfully, fostering a truly inclusive educational experience. 

 

Benefits to my students

Expected Outcomes

1. Enhanced Inclusion and Collaboration:
• 90% of students will report increased collaboration with peers, including those with and without disabilities, based on pre- and post-project surveys.
• Teachers will observe a 50% increase in students’ willingness to participate in group tasks and discussions, as measured by classroom participation records. This will foster an inclusive environment where students are working together in the garden, learning from each other, and appreciating each other’s contributions.

2. Improved Social-Emotional Skills:
• 80% of students will demonstrate improved social-emotional skills, such as empathy and teamwork, as assessed through teacher observations and social-emotional learning assessments.
• Peer relationships will improve, with 70% of students showing more positive interactions, as reflected in behavior charts and social surveys. Through group garden activities, students will develop empathy and interpersonal skills, strengthening their ability to communicate and work as a team.

3. Increased Confidence and Self-Esteem:
• 85% of students with disabilities will report feeling more confident in their abilities, particularly in completing gardening tasks, as measured by self-reflection surveys and teacher feedback.
• Students will exhibit a 30% increase in self-initiated tasks and problem-solving activities in the classroom. Working hands-on with the garden will help students feel empowered, improving their self-esteem as they see the tangible results of their work.

4. Practical Life Skills:
• 100% of participating students will learn how to plant, water, and care for a vegetable, with 90% demonstrating mastery of these skills by the end of the project.
• 75% of students will show improved time management and task completion skills, as assessed through student self-reports and teacher observations. Through gardening activities, students will learn valuable life skills that they can carry beyond the classroom, building a sense of responsibility and independence.

5. Academic Growth in Science:
• 90% of students will show measurable growth in their understanding of basic biology concepts, such as plant life cycles and ecosystems, based on pre- and post-project science assessments.
• Teachers will see a 40% increase in students’ engagement with science topics, as measured by participation in garden-related scientific activities and projects. The garden will serve as a living lab, providing students with hands-on opportunities to explore key science concepts and foster a deeper connection to the subject matter.

6. Improved Sensory Processing and Focus:
• 70% of students with sensory processing challenges will report improvements in focus and calmness when engaging in garden activities, as documented in sensory processing checklists and parent feedback.
• Observational data will show a 50% reduction in fidgeting and off-task behavior for students who struggle with attention issues. The sensory-rich environment of the garden, with its focus on tactile and visual experiences, will help students improve their concentration and engagement.

7. Promotion of Healthy Lifestyle Choices:
• 85% of students will be able to identify at least three healthy food choices, as measured by pre- and post-project nutrition surveys.
• Surveys will show that 80% of students will express a greater interest in eating vegetables and fruits from the garden. By growing and harvesting their own food, students will develop an understanding of healthy eating and nutrition, leading to more informed food choices.

8. Sustained Engagement in Education:
• 95% of students will report higher engagement and enjoyment in learning activities tied to the garden project, based on student feedback surveys.
• Teachers will see a 25% increase in overall classroom engagement and participation during the gardening project’s integration into the curriculum. The hands-on, interactive nature of the project will encourage students to stay actively engaged in their learning, leading to greater enthusiasm for school activities.

9. Strengthened Community Bonds:
• At least 30% of families will participate in at least one gardening event, with 90% reporting positive experiences in surveys about the project’s community involvement.
• Community volunteers will contribute time to the garden project, supporting classroom activities and student engagement. The garden will serve as a hub for community involvement, fostering stronger ties between families, educators, and local organizations.
 

 

Budget Narrative

Cost Summary

Garden Beds & Raised Planters
1. Galvanized Raised Garden Beds for Vegetables (8 x 4 x 1 ft, 2-pack) – $70.30 x 5 = $351.50
2. Land Guard Galvanized Raised Garden Bed with Legs (48 x 24 x 32 in) – $79.99 x 2 = $159.98

Storage & Support Structures
3. Suncast 54 cu. ft Resin Vertical Lockable Storage Shed – $399.99
4. Garden Hose Holder - Freestanding Hose Hanger – $39.99
5. Gardener’s Supply Extra Tall Garden Arch Arbor – $79.99
6. Gardeners Supply Two Panel Folding Garden Trellis – $49.99 x 2 = $99.98
7. Tomato Cages (3-pack, Height Adjustable) – $19.99 x 4 = $79.96

Watering Supplies
8. Kink Control Plus Garden Hose (5/8 in. x 50 ft) – $28.66
9. AUTOMAN Garden Hose Nozzle with 7 Adjustable Patterns – $9.99

Seeds & Planting Supplies
10. Survival Vegetable Seeds Kit (35 Varieties) – $29.95
11. Seed Needs Herb Seeds Variety Pack – $14.99
12. Sow Right Rattlesnake Pole Bean Seeds (3-pack) – $8.99
13. Heirloom Greens Garden Seeds (10 Varieties) – $11.99
14. Sereniseed Sunflower Seeds Collection (10-pack) – $12.99
15. 120 Cells Seed Starter Tray, Biodegradable Pots (10-pack) – $8.97 x 4 = $35.88

Tools & Equipment
16. GROWIT Heavy Duty Garden Tools Set (22 pieces) – $35.97 x 2 = $71.94
17. Spray Bottles, Pack of 5 – $12.99 x 3 = $38.97
18. Rake for Leaves (Large) – $27.97
19. Garden Rake (Small) – $19.97
20. Shovel for Digging, Planting, and Trenching – $19.99
21. BILT HARD Poly Yard Dump Cart (4 Cu.Ft) – $129.99

Children’s Gardening Supplies
22. COOLJOB Kids Gardening Gloves (Small Size) – $9.99 x 3 = $29.97
23. COOLJOB Kids Gardening Gloves (Medium Size) – $9.99 x 3 = $29.97
24. COOLJOB Kids Gardening Gloves (Large Size) – $9.99 x 4 = $39.96
25. 10-Pack Mini Colorful Metal Hand Shovels – $19.99

Composting & Weed Control
26. VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Composter (43 Gallon) – $89.99
27. 3ft x 300ft Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric – $53.99

Vertical Gardening
28. Mr. Stacky 5 Tier Stackable Planter – $27.20 x 2 = $54.50

Total Cost: $1,992.05 

 

Items