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Gardens as Science Learning Contexts Across Educational Stages: Learning Assessment Based on Students' Graphic
Marcia Eugenio-Gozalbo1, Lourdes Aragón2, Inés Ortega-Cubero3
1Department of Didactics of Experimental, Social, and Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Education of Soria, University of Valladolid, Soria, Spain.
Frontiers in Psychology
|October 5, 2020
Summary
Educational gardens enhance science learning across all age groups by fostering connections between prior knowledge and new concepts. This study shows gardens improve student drawings and understanding of plant science and water management.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Integrating daily-life contexts into science education promotes meaningful learning.
- Educational gardens offer a unique environment for hands-on scientific exploration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide evidence supporting the use of gardens in educational centers.
- To assess the impact of garden-based learning on science topic comprehension across educational stages.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of paired graphic representations of gardens drawn by students before and after a garden-based learning program.
- Quantitative assessment of element frequency and qualitative analysis of changes in graphic representations.
- Sample sizes: 24 (pre-school), 19 (primary), 25 (secondary), 29 (university).
Main Results:
- Overall improvement in students' graphic expression and detail across all educational stages.
- Increased representation of water-related elements, indicating enhanced understanding of water management.
- University students shifted from conventional agriculture concepts to permaculture-based models.
- Prevalent learning focused on plant knowledge, including anatomy and diversity.
Conclusions:
- Educational gardens are valuable tools for promoting science learning, particularly plant knowledge and water management.
- Garden-based learning fosters connections between prior knowledge and new concepts, enhancing student engagement and understanding.
- The study supports the integration of educational gardens to facilitate contact with plants and related fauna.