It may sound counterintuitive, but school gardens can offer students fertile ground to learn about technology, from using generative artificial intelligence tools to operating hydroponic or water-based growing systems.
That's why the John Rex Charter School in Oklahoma City, which serves grades pre-K-8 with a focus on technology, has invested in creating a state-of-the-art school garden that features extensive use of technology.
Ally Audas, the school's enrichment specialist, is informally known as the school's "gardening teacher." She makes the case that gardening is important for students living in the digital age, because it teaches them to see beyond instant gratification and understand that developing meaningful things usually takes time.
"With technology, you get what you want right now," she said. "When we go and use the garden, you plant a seed and you aren't going to harvest anything for months, potentially. They have to really nurture things and learn some grit, some hard work, and some patience. It's a great life skill that I think a lot of kids don't get right now."
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