
At Garvan Woodland Gardens, an on going educational program exists with 5 area school districts: Arkadelphia, Gurdon, Glenwood, Malvern and Hot Springs.
Over 600, fifth grader students in the above named districts study a National Science Foundation hands- on based curriculum entitled, Life Cycle Of Plants.
All materials and training for teachers are provided with funding from private foundations. Teachers conduct classes where students plant, observe, measure, predict, and compare the life cycle of plants. The Wisconsin Fast Plant model is used as the comparison.
The culminating activity for the students is the trip to the living laboratory- Garvan Woodland Gardens. While on the tour, activities correlated to the curriculum are utilized with the students concerning plant propagation and pollination. Another similar program for third grade students will begin in the spring of 2005.
Weekly summer workshops are also held for students ages 6-11 engaging in many areas of plant life and it's interdependence to other systems. An Educational Master Plan is under committee study for development and implementation in many areas of education at the Gardens. The Children's Garden will be a major focus in the future of Garvan Woodland Gardens Educational Programs.
Education Coordinator, Teresa Alford
501-262-9613 or 800-366-4664
talford@garvangardens.org





