Positively Food: Shanahan Middle School Green Project

Shanahan Middle School, in the heart of Ohio, is the setting for raised garden beds, an outdoor classroom, and a sizable greenhouse. On two separate occssions, I have planned and implemented two school-wide wellness initiatives. The focus of the wellness initiatives have been to empower students to choose real food over processed foods through garden-based learning. Each month, during a specified time, every student was engaged in identifying the ingredients in processed foods and the possible harmful health effects of artificial ingredients, colorings, and perservatives. During the course of the school year, each Advisory Group of students started seeds inside during late winter while they researched the health benefits of consuming real food from plants.  Students then devised recipes using their plant as one of the ingredients, such as a carrot salad or salsa.  Each Advisory Group prepared the recipe and it was shared between the students. 

As a teacher at the school, I have collaborated extensively with the sixth grade science team to meet Ohio Standards through project-based activities in the greenhouse.  Last year, sixth grade science students presenting their projects on soil, composting, and growing pea plants during a school-wide greenhouse open house for all students.

This year, I have been developing a Middle School model that can be shared with any school wishing to start a garden or extend the season with hoop houses. Specifically, I am working with special needs students this year, where we have started seeds inside for a salad garden and herbs for vineragrettes.  Shortly, we will be taking the seedlings to the greenhouse and then they will be transplanted in the raised garden beds in May.  At an end of the year event, we will be preparing salad in the cafeteria along with the vineragettes for all students to taste.

Each year, we have surveyed students at the beginning of their plant-based learning and at the end to assess the effectiveness of the program and make adjustments for the following year. 

In 2009, I was named one of the Mother's of the Revolution by Kiwi Magazine for my efforts. My goal for the upcoming years is to share my model for garden start-ups including a Middle School curriculum in Central Ohio through my role as the local chairperson for the Slow Food USA National School Garden Program.