Emma B Trask Middle School

Our first goal is to create an Ability/Sensory Garden. The purpose is to provide a dynamic interactive educational space for engaging in gardening with a therapeutic goal. These types of gardens are popular with and beneficial to both students and teachers, especially those who have sensory processing issues, including autism and other disabilities. It may be used as a calming place and as a gentle way to stimulate the senses. This type of environment can become a place where students with autism and other sensory processing disorders feel safe and comfortable in exploring their senses without feeling overwhelmed by them. An ability/sensory garden is a wonderful way for children to explore their senses and learn about the environment around them. It is also a healthy place of discovery and gets children outdoors. Children with disabilities also greatly benefit from exposure to sensory gardens, as they provide a therapeutic and safe way for them to explore their senses.

We will be utilizing the community outreach program at the New Hanover County Arboretum. They have worked with schools in the past to create outdoor classrooms for students and teacher to enjoy.

Features of the Garden:
For visual stimulation, color is an important consideration. When designing a garden, people should be creative in their use of color stimulation. Colors may be seasonal, placed for maximum contrast, or grouped in clusters. Color doesn't only pertain to plants, either. Choose colors carefully when adding brick, gravel, or stone to the garden. When adding color, create a balance between energizing colors and restful, soft colors to avoid over stimulation. Colorful butterflies and birds are also attracted to the nectar and colors of plants and add to the visual interest of a garden.

Sound is another fun feature of a sensory garden, and it is crucial to creating a calming environment. Certain ornamental grasses create unique sounds, and the rustling of leaves is also soothing. Man-made additions such as wind chimes add to the sounds of the garden. Smells can trigger a wide range of emotions. Plants such as honeysuckle, lavender, violets, mint, and chocolate cosmos will be utilized.