
RPBG Funds Botanical Program at Gale Academy
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January 2017
Rogers Park Builders Group Funds Chicago Botanic Garden Traveling Plant Science Teacher Program for Pre-K at Gale Academy
The Rogers Park Builders Group kindly provided the $220 to enable the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Traveling Plant Science Teacher program, to come to Gale Math and Science Academy in Rogers Park. This donation enabled the two Pre-K classrooms to receive a visit from one of their science teachers on February 22nd. Geared toward their age group, the little ones learned about “Terrific Trees.” The curriculum is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.
Through the use of scientific tools and hands-on exploration, the Pre-K students discovered the important role trees play, the ecosystem around a tree, and how they can learn from bark, tree rings, bird nests, and other plants and animals that live near trees. The Botanic Garden teacher brought all the materials and tools, and taught each classroom separately so every child received the maximum benefit. Students potted a plant with seeds to take home, so they can share their experience with family. They learned that sun, water, air and soil nutrients will help their plants grow.
The Chicago Botanic Garden Pre-K program the Rogers Park Builders Group funded, is part of Gale’s initiative to enrich the plant, habitat, and science curriculum connected to Gale’s unique indoor greenhouse and outdoor garden. As part of this vision, Gale has a Garden Club, and students in grades 4, 5, 6, and 8 visited the Chicago Botanic Garden via their field trip program on March 15th.
https://rpbg.org/index.php/latest/news/211-rpbg-funds-program-at-gale-academy#sigProIdd044a9c040
A “thank-you bouquet” for investing in “growing” its students, comes from the Pre-K students and their teachers Ms. Graham and Ms. Gladney, Interim Principal Augustine “Augie” Emuwa, The Genesis Project Director and Lead Educator for garden-based learning Tonia Andreina, and Community Resource Liaison Carol Melnick.
Via interviews with impressive budding student scientists Azaria and Christian, Interim Principal Augie Emuwa, and The Genesis Project Director Tonia Andreina, you can learn more about Gale Academy’s greenhouse, garden, and Garden Club. Please read the wonderfully informative online “DNAinfo” article: “We Grow Kids’: Garden At Gale Elementary Sows More Than Just Plants.”
Members of the Rogers Park Builders Group are welcome to tour the indoor greenhouse and outdoor garden space, which is being transformed into a hands-on learning and community garden. A tour can be arranged with talented students Azaria, Christian or other Greenhouse and Garden Club student members. Please contact Carol Melnick, Gale Community Resource Liaison to make arrangements in advance. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gale students are worth investing in!