Science With Attitude (SWAt) is a new approach by Denton County AgriLife Extension to reach school children. A team consisting of a Denton County Master Gardener and honored Friend of 4-H, Jenny Estes, an Elm Fork Chapter Master Naturalist, Cheryl Kesterson and a Denton County 4-H Leader, Susan Kilpatrick has collaborated with curriculum directors from Denton ISD to create a three-day intensive teacher training course on outdoor learning centers and horticulture. The class was taught by Master Volunteers and assisted by a few Denton County 4-H youth that have many years experience in the Horticulture project area; 2006 Junior Master Gardener of the Year, Shelby, Lauren and Kaitlyn Kilpatrick. Topics included native plants, worm composting, plant propagation, vegetable gardening, and creating outdoor learning habitats. Much of the class is hands-on. For example the first day is spent doing Junior Master Gardener activities so that the teachers have the opportunity to experience 30 activities that they can easily implement in their classroom. The Junior Master Gardener® (JMG) curriculum is tied to the TEKS and is multi-disciplinary. During the second day, the teachers actually built a raised bed, a compost pile, and designed container gardens. On the third day, the teachers had a "scavenger hunt" at four Outdoor Learning Centers (OLC) at local elementary schools to see first hand what works and what doesn't work in an OLC.
This is only the beginning! This was SWAt Level 1 which was conducted twice this past summer and impacted 31 area Elementary teachers. Next summer, Level 2 will be unveiled. This will focus on the JMG curricula Literature in the Garden and Wildlife Gardener as well as creating butterfly gardens and other habitats. Level 3 will be added in 2011 with major educational efforts in water issues such as watershed protection and water conservation.
The Junior Master Gardener program is an international youth gardening program of the University Cooperative Extension network. JMG engages children in novel, "hands-on" group and individual learning experiences that provide a love of gardening, develop an appreciation for the environment, and cultivate the mind.
Youths can explore their world through meaningful horticultural and environmental science activities that encourage leadership development, personal pride, responsibility, and community involvement. The program incorporates service learning and volunteerism, which enables youth to make a positive contribution to their community and rewards them with certification and recognition.
Peer and cross generation mentoring occurs when JMG groups interact with Master Volunteers, community leaders and other volunteers. JMG Kids can be mentors to younger youth, by teaching them about horticulture.
To find out more about this program, contact your local County Extension office 940-349-2883, or the JMG website at www.jmgkids.us.
Written by Janet Laminack (CEA-HORT), Susan Kilpatrick (MG) and Shelby Kilpatrick (4-Her)
The Junior Master Gardener program is an international youth gardening program of the University Cooperative Extension network. JMG engages children in novel, "hands-on" group and individual learning experiences that provide a love of gardening, develop an appreciation for the environment, and cultivate the mind.
Youths can explore their world through meaningful horticultural and environmental science activities that encourage leadership development, personal pride, responsibility, and community involvement. The program incorporates service learning and volunteerism, which enables youth to make a positive contribution to their community and rewards them with certification and recognition.
Peer and cross generation mentoring occurs when JMG groups interact with Master Volunteers, community leaders and other volunteers. JMG Kids can be mentors to younger youth, by teaching them about horticulture.
To find out more about this program, contact your local County Extension office 940-349-2883, or the JMG website at www.jmgkids.us.
Written by Janet Laminack (CEA-HORT), Susan Kilpatrick (MG) and Shelby Kilpatrick (4-Her)
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