Cultivating Community through Gardening: A YPAR Project on Greenhouses

• In Event: Out-of-school Learning: Engaging Communities and High-Impact Practices

Abstract

This case study shares findings from a YPAR project led by a group of sixth-grade students who explored the significance of gardening and plant cultivation in a school community greenhouse. Students engaged in collaborative planning, research, and teaching that supported their development as leaders and caretakers of their school. The students designed and taught lessons to kindergarteners, aiming to foster environmental awareness and build a shared, communal learning space on gardening and plants. Data comes from two audio-recorded classroom conversations as the sixth-grade class reflected and discussed their work with their teacher. Our findings suggest that students who take on teaching roles cultivate collaborative skills, empathy, and a deeper sense of leadership, which are essential to cultivating environmental stewardship.

Authors

• Kayeon Koh, University of California - Los Angeles

• Victoria Arali Daniels, University of California - Los Angeles

• Mariana Gudino Avalos, University of California - Los Angeles

• Christine Lee, University of California - Los Angeles