According to a recent research report from the Wallace Foundation, 84% of parents they surveyed rank the statement, "Your child seems happy/likes attending," as their #1 priority for Out of School (OST) programming.
Exploring Our Origins for Women’s Herstory
It’s especially meaningful for me to share the story of growing Dirt Girls at start of Women’s History Month. Pictured below are two girls from the last cohort of a “pandemic proof” version of the program offered last spring alongside a journal entry from one of the original Dirt Girls participants. "I appreciate outdoors and … Continue reading Exploring Our Origins for Women’s Herstory
Becoming a Botanist: Celebrating Jane Colden
Jane Colden is remembered as the first American woman botanist.
Plant(ing) Empowerment: Lessons from Ruth Bancroft
For a time, I was 'wintering' through the month-long stay-at-home order and rainy weather just fine. But when the sun came out again, I took advantage of the opportunity to socialize outside with a close friend. We visited the Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery for a self-guided tour of an impressive display of drought-tolerant plants. … Continue reading Plant(ing) Empowerment: Lessons from Ruth Bancroft
Cultivating Resilience: Dirt Girls Grow Indoors
Sensory experience–a hallmark of science, nutrition, and environmental education–is much harder to deliver via screen. However, a few months ago I was inspired to turn over a new leaf.
Giving Away Earth Day Kits
Submit a Dirt Girl Diary to be eligible for an Earth Day 2020 Giveaway!
Designing for Sustainable Crafts
A modified version of a simple DIY "crafting" activity offers a solution to an environmental problem in a way that incorporates engineering design while also teaching sustainability.
Presenting on Gender Equity & Empowerment
Daily highlights from an amazing conference will inspire you to build the future of your school garden program.
Building DIY Scarecrows
DIY Scarecrows are a fun STEAM Project that promotes creative solutions, teamwork, and interdisciplinary thinking. Four different teams constructed unique and imaginative scarecrows. They collaboratively fashioned outfits from ripped nylon hammocks, scavenged props from the toolshed to rubber band in scarecrow's gloved hands, and bent wire into eyeglasses that even had tape lenses!
Fostering Teamwork and Inclusion
A little over a year ago, I established an after school club that I dubbed "Dirt Girls." The decision to limit participation only to girls was initially motivated by the relative inequity in STEM fields. According to the National Girls Collaborative Project, women make up just 29% of the STEM workforce. Research suggests that time … Continue reading Fostering Teamwork and Inclusion
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