Professional Development participants want more….

Food was on the menu for participants of the professional development day LandLearn ran in partnership with the Botanic Gardens Education Program on Thursday May 1st. Inspirational grade 3s in the kitchen, vegetable men, pizza gardens and testing for vitamin C are just a taste of the delights that were presented on the very successful day.

Fourteen teachers from far and wide participated in the PD day held at the Royal Botanic Gardens. There was a mix of outdoor sensory experiences and indoor activities all focussed around how you can easily integrate the topic of food into your classroom curriculum across subject areas at a range of levels.

The group was also treated to a visit to Collingwood College's Kitchen Garden where the Principal, Francis Laurino inspired everyone with the achievements of the grades 3-6 students in the garden and in the kitchen. A highlight of the day was having Stephanie Alexander (chef and author) give an impromptu talk about the Kitchen Garden, emphasising that the experiences of growing, cooking and sharing food didn't need to be "dumbed down" for children. The evidence was there when we entered the kitchen and viewed the children preparing a lunch of dishes many adults wouldn't attempt.

The majority of the teachers said the workshop exceeded their expectations!

» Past Issues