Seattle Public Schools | Untitled Document

November 20, 2009

Orca K-8 garden teaches students about science, composting
     Orca K-8 celebrated the abundance of their school garden recently with their first Harvest Festival. Even in the cold and rain, this event brought students together for food, fresh-pressed cider, crafts and fun. Many students brought their own plates and utensils to help keep waste down and work toward a goal of zero waste. While there was some leftover trash, the school community composted an estimated 100 pounds of leftover food and apples. Compostable plates and utensils were also used and composted.
     Composting and zero waste are just a small part of the science learning and teaching happening at Orca thanks to support from Seattle voters. In 2008, construction was completed on a new science classroom, greenhouse, outdoor classroom and organic garden funded through SPS’s capital improvement levy, Buildings, Technology and Academics (BTA II). (The BTA II levy provides funds for small renovations and major maintenance, plus technology and academic infrastructure, and was approved in Feb. 2004.)
      Many sustainable features were built in to these projects including an underground cistern fed by downspouts to provide rainwater to the drip irrigation system in the garden and greenhouse. Water from the cistern is also used for toilet flushing. Natural light, natural ventilation, radiant heat, and permeable surfaces provide both environmental and educational benefits with students learning about conservation practices from real-life use.
     A garden blog tracks the growing and learning happening at Orca K-8. Last spring, students planted the garden with numerous vegetables and herbs that were ready to harvest when school started in September. Throughout the past months, classes have regularly visited the garden for lessons, as well as for some tasty tomatoes and other vegetables.
     Pre-K students visited the garden recently to explore and look for bugs with magnifying glasses. Worms were the focus of a group of lessons for Kindergarten and first and second graders in Sept. Students explored how the school’s worm bins work and what the worms are fed. Third graders are using the greenhouse to grow cold-weather crops such as collard greens and rainbow chard.
     Classes are studying more than plants, bugs and worms though. Sixth-graders have explored the path of food takes to get to their breakfast table. Though it’s nearly impossible to completely track where food comes from, the students used their math skills to try to find an answer to how many miles their food travels, and discussions also included understanding the complexity and safety of our food system.

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