Better Understanding Garden Science is unique to Brittan Acres. Built from scratch by BA parents starting in the late 1990's it's designed to provide a hands on learning experience for the kids while being extremely easy and convenient for volunteers to present and lead.
The BUGS program teaches children about
life science through gardening, by using fun hands-on activities. This
program allows children to experience and connect to nature all around
them and directly through the garden. By learning about the
interconnection of the elements of a garden (soil, water, sun, plants
and animals), children will gain an understanding of the garden's life
process and how it relates to themselves and the wider natural
environment. It is designed to be supplementary to the Life Science
that the children receive in class from their teacher.
Acclaim: In April 2007, BUGS was awarded the San Mateo County School Boards Association J. Russell Kent Award
for excellence. This prestigious award provides our BUGS program with
county-wide recognition and will hopefully inspire other schools to
implement similar programs*. The basics:
- Each
month's lesson incorporates a particular educational theme.
- The lesson starts with
a 5-10 minute whole class discussion
- The class breaks into three groups, which rotate through three activity stations
- Two stations expand on month's theme and usually include reading and a fun hands on activity
- One station is in the garden
- There are seven sessions throughought the school year,
one a month. This program is fully run by volunteers, minimum 3
per classroom.
- The total volunteer time commitment for BUGS is
typically between 1-2 hours per month.
- All
lessons are pre-designed, and all lesson materials have already been pre-assembled
and packed into backpacks.
- Volunteers simply need to review the
lesson materials (online or at the library), show up at the scheduled
time, grab the lesson backpack, and unpack and present the lesson.
- Occasionally volunteers will need to bring in some common household
items, such as newspaper or ice for a particular station. Volunteers
also purchase plants twice per year, and are reimbursed by the BUGS
program (limits apply).
- There is no need for volunteers to be highly trained scientists or green thumbed gardeners. No experience is necessary!
So that's the nuts and bolts of the program. As for the "Why's" - click here to learn why people volunteer their time to be associated with this wonderful program. Contact
the BUGS coordinators with any questions or suggestions you may have
about the program. The program leadership is being shared this year by
Bill Biggers and Bill Sharratt. Please send the Bills an email at: brittanacresbugs@gmail.com * If you want to implement BUGS at your school, please contact Bill and Bill above and we'll help get you started.
|
|
