Sunshine Coast Hinterland Times

Montville state school Year 7 students from left: Anja Christoffersen, Niamh Netherwood, Max Hajncl and Nathan Gneist

STUDENTS in Year 6/7 at Montville State School have successfully combined classroom learning with achievements in the garden via a multi-layered outdoor learning experience.

Mathematics skills were a core part of the project. Class teacher Suzan Zeichner supported by an interested team of parents helped the 24 students measure the garden plots and construct scale models of the gardens.

Students then conducted experiments testing the effectiveness of different growing practices. Data was then transformed onto graphs comparing growth rates under different growing conditions.

“Students also kept a journal,” said permaculture garden coordinator, Ms Duggan,“ and used their literacy skills to comment on their observations and write descriptive paragraphs comparing the results of the experiments. A PowerPoint presentation communicated their conclusions,” Ms Duggan added.

In the school’s permaculture garden students learn that sustainability is about growing enough for everybody forever. They learned to work cooperatively and to talk knowledgeably about the social impact of growing fresh produce for their community in the future.

Student Maxwell Hajncl was busy helping to sell the produce at the markets.

“I have learnt some new skills,” he said. “It will be good to keep on growing produce as it will help sustainability for future generations.”

Ms Duggan said other students had already started their own gardens at home so this initiative has resulted in learning that is really embedded into their daily lives.