Middle school student gardeners are at a stage in their learning where they’re ready to look closely at water’s importance in our ecosystems and how our actions in gardens and landscapes can impact its availability and quality on local, regional, and global scales. In this unit of Waterwise Garden Stewards, students will use gardens for investigations exploring water on micro and macro levels. They will discover how their actions can help conserve and preserve our water resources.
This unit includes five modules:
- Water in Plants
- The Water Cycle
- Water in a Changing Climate
- Waterwise Landscape Design and Management
- Irrigation Design
Each module includes three water-focused, garden-related experiments or activities with background information so students can engage in hands-on experiences to deepen their understanding of water. Students will also learn about best practices for watering the garden as well as basic irrigation design. The target age for content and activities is sixth through eighth grade.
Accompanying resources
Watering Your School Garden Tip Sheet: Explore the benefits and challenges of common supplemental irrigation techniques and learn about cultural practices that you can use in your school garden to water efficiently.
Educators’ Guide to Drip Irrigation: Drip irrigation is one of the most water-efficient ways to care for your school garden. Discover the many benefits of this sustainable irrigation method and learn how to install drip irrigation systems in raised-bed gardens to support plant health.
