Exploring Horticulture in Human Culture: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Youth Education

Abstract

<jats:p>By examining the ways that societies have raised and prepared their predominant food crops, students can gain insights into horticultural methods and origins of food, and develop an awareness of and appreciation for diverse cultural heritage. An interdisciplinary approach to the subject permits young people to synthesize information form diverse sources and to understand the important historic relationship between humans and plants.</jats:p>

Transformative Approaches to Sustainable Development at Universities

“…A garden and gardening activities make it possible for pupils to learn about the environment and also experience the natural world firsthand. In addition, a gardening-based curriculum can cover several subjects while giving the students the chance to experience nature firsthand (Eames-Sheavly 1994;Klemmer et al 2005;Pigg et al 2006). Outdoor educational programs when compared to traditional biology teaching are generally believed to improve environmental attitudes and knowledge (Fančovičová and Prokop 2011) and at the same time they combat the problem 'plant blindness' and give pupils more incentives to study the subject.…”

Growing Environmental Stewards: The Overall Effect of a School Gardening Program on Environmental Attitudes and Environmental Locus of Control of Different Demographic Groups of Elementary School Children

“…Not only can a garden and gardening act activities enable students to learn about the environment, but also children can actually experience ecological processes firsthand. In addition, a gardening-based curriculum can cover a wide range of classroom subjects while giving the students a glance at nature on a more personal level (Eames-Sheavly, 1994;Klemmer et al, 2005;Pigg et al, 2006;Skelly and Zajicek, 1998).…”

The Pennsylvania State University Medieval Garden: Using a Specialized Garden as an Alternative Teaching and Learning Environment

“…Horticulture provides an excellent opportunity for such hands-on learning (Skelly and Zajaicek, 1998) and the role of agriculture in development of the human race can be integrated into these programs. It has been suggested that an interdisciplinary approach, focusing on multiculturalism, allows for integration of horticulture across several disciplines (Eames-Sheavly, 1994). These disciplines can include history, medicine, art, science, and language arts.…”