In a day and age when kids are already being bombarded at schools by unhealthy choices from soda makers and fast food conglomerates, it’s nice too see that at least one school is seeing the importance of exposing kids to the importance and rewards of knowing where food comes from and the benefits of growing it themselves.
The architecture firm Work AC, in collaboration with Edible Schoolyard New York and the Chez Panisse Foundation, is designing a new schoolyard for PS216 that will give the 417 K-5th grade students the opportunity to connect with nature and learn how working with it can bring about an abundance of delicious rewards. The Edible Schoolyard consists of a series of interlinking structures; each of which will serve a specific role.
The main structure on the site of the large outdoor garden is the kitchen classroom where 30 students per class will be able to prepare meals together using ingredients from the schoolyard which they grew themselves. The angled butterfly roof incorporates a rain collection system that directs water into large above-ground cisterns located behind the building. One of the most unique features of the building is the mobile 4-season greenhouse attached to its front side. To extend the growing season, the mobile greenhouse can be extended out over 1600 sqft of the schoolyard garden to protect plants and seedlings from the cold. In addition to the large garden and kitchen classroom, there are also composting areas, solar batteries (connected to onsite solar PV), a chicken coop, and of course a tool shed.
The Good: A low environmental impact and highly beneficial school program/facility that serves to educate and engage students on a multitude of health and environmental issues.
The Bad: Only being done at one school. Security might be an issue in protecting the crops.
The Bottom-Line: By engaging children and their parents in discussions of nutrition, health, and sustainable planting, the Edible Schoolyard at P.S. 216 will promote healthy eating and a sense of responsibility for the environment to an age group that is just beginning to form their own set of ideals, ethics, and responsibilities.
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