Redesigning School Grounds: Lise-Meitner-Gesamtschule Pupils Fashion New Landscapes
In a recent initiative, a group of young people collaborated with professionals from the state gardening association to redesign their school's garden, focusing on sustainable gardening practices. The project, which took place at the school garden, aimed to promote environmental awareness among the young participants and teach them valuable skills in gardening and landscape construction.
The process began with partnership development, involving local gardening professionals, nonprofit organizations, schools, and community groups. The youth were then engaged in the planning and design stages, guided by state or local master planning guidelines, with workshops and sessions helping them develop plans that incorporated sustainable landscaping and educational components.
The practical work involved building raised beds, installing a fence, and planting a flower meadow. The young people also learned about composting and water conservation techniques, as well as soil management and the importance of biodiversity. The professionals from the state association demonstrated organic gardening methods throughout the project.
The apprenticeship opportunities provided by the project offered the young people a chance to gain hands-on gardening experience, learn about nonprofit and garden program management, and participate in wellness and culinary programs linked to the garden's produce. Applying for these apprenticeships usually required submitting an application with a resume and cover letter, indicating interest and availability for an interview.
The event concluded with a discussion on the benefits of sustainable gardening for the community, emphasising environmental education, wellness, food security, and community building. The youth continued their school's garden redesign project, providing an opportunity for them to ask questions about apprenticeship and its requirements.
This youth-led school garden redesign project required youth engagement, collaboration with professionals, meeting application and health requirements, and often included apprenticeship opportunities that blended hands-on gardening with broader educational experiences. The model fosters youth leadership, community engagement, and sustainability education, making it an invaluable experience for the young participants.
The youth-led school garden redesign project, blending sustainable gardening practices with home-and-garden landscaping, aimed to impact their lifestyle by fostering environmental awareness, essential gardening skills, and sustainable landscaping. As the project advanced, they had opportunities to apply for apprenticeships, gaining hands-on experience in gardening, nonprofit management, and wellness programs while learning about organic methods and the importance of biodiversity in a lifestyle lifestyle setting.
