Bulgarian Journal of Science and Education Policy (Dec 2009)
The School Gardens in Preserving Biological Diversity for Education of Sustainable Development
Abstract
In the teaching-learning process, a school garden allows to fully cover the contents of biology and environment protection curricular basic requirements. The role and importance of school gardens increased immediately after WW II but later the idea of these school structures waned. However, today we come back to the creation of school gardens and incorporating them in the educational process. A school garden fulfills a great didactic and tutorial function. At the same time, it allows to connect theory with practice. It enables teachers to conduct classes in the open air in “a green classroom”. Didactic literature quotes that the use of school gardens in teaching and learning of biology increases the effectiveness of the educational process. The analysis of reports of students of IV Biology at the Natural Sciences Department of Szczecin University, who have conducted classes in a school Botanical Garden of Primary School No. 61 in Szczecin, shows the huge role of a school garden in the teaching-learning process. The students conclude that a school garden gives them an opportunity for direct contact with nature. The garden develops pupils’ talents and interests and teaches them to conduct ecological and phono-logical observations.
