Kidsgardening.com KidsGardening.com Teachers' Room Family Room Shop KidsGardening.com Adopt a Garden
Kidsgarden Store
Request a Catalog
Free E-newsletters
NGA Membership
Member Log-in



Official Web site sponsors:



 

Plants and Energy


Switchgrass is touted as an efficient biofuel source. Photo: USDA Ag. Research Service
Looking for a bright side to climbing gas prices? One benefit is a renewed interest in conservation and the development of alternative and renewable energy sources. This month, we’ll delve into the important roles plants are playing in energy conservation and emerging energy technology. Ultimately, wise use of plants will contribute to a healthier environment for future generations.


Background and Lessons

Plants and Energy – Learn about the history of plants as a fuel source, and how they're connected to almost every energy-oriented topic in the news.

Lesson: Plant-based Biofuels – This lesson introduces students to the history, benefits, and challenges of plant-based fuels.

Lesson: Energy Efficient Landscaping – Students are challenged to develop a landscape plan that will boost energy conservation.


What's New?

Plant a Seed, Watch a Community Grow – Kidsgardening.org Advisory Board member Susan Stradling reports on an innovative partnership involving a seed company, schools, and a food shelf that's boosting food security in rural New York state.

Visit our Kids Garden News page to find out about funding opportunities, gardening resources, professional development, and more.

Find Fruitful Classroom Exchanges

Connect your students with classrooms who garden in another hemisphere, or find garden buddies close by that you didn't know were there! There are many e-mail pals listed in our School Garden Registry. Below are some highlights:

Program for Academically Talented Students Center (FL) - K-8 "naturalist activists" wish to swap seeds, experiences, and their hand-made flower greeting cards.

Francis Mallory Elementary School (VA) - Primary students are looking to exchange data with other classes or environmental science clubs.

Porta Central School (IL) - This school garden club (grades 3-6) seeks pals for trading seeds, ideas, and experiences.

Croydon West Primary School (Australia) - These K-8 students from down under tend gardens, compost, and chickens. They're eager to swap photos, stories, and ideas.

S.U. Botijas #1 (Puerto Rico) - Students in grades 6-9 have a patio garden and also work on the school farm, improving habitats for animals and people! They'd love to trade photos!

If your garden or habitat is not already represented in this international database, register it now!

 

 
Seeking inspiration or advice?
Use our Digging Deeper search:

Or browse our Kidsgardening topics.

Subscribe to Kids
Garden News

We'll send you monthly e-mail updates of available grants, educational resources, youth gardening conferences, and more.

Read the current issue online.
Catch up on back issues

Fundraise with Flower Bulbs: Earn 50% Profit Looking for a "healthy" and alluring option for raising funds for your school? NGA endorses the Flower Power Program. It features easy-to-grow spring-flowering bulbs and is a good deal to boot; your school gets to keep 50% of the profits. Click here to learn more.



More Garden Activities
and Lessons

Seeds Feed the World
These precious packages have the potential to produce plant life and to sustain human life. Discover the fascinating history of people/seed partnerships and find ideas for classroom investigations. Click here to download a .pdf version.

Seeds! The Promise of Life
Discover how these minuscule miracles can inspire your classroom gardeners and scientists. Click here to download a .pdf version.

Plant-Insect Interactions
Thematic classroom stories, standards- based project ideas, how-to advice, and resources. Click here.

Our Favorite Kids' Fiction Books
An annotated list to inspire imaginations and garden projects

 

Digging Deeper Search
© 2008 National Gardening Association
www.garden.org, www.kidsgardening.com