Embedded Files
The JHS Gardens are a project conceived by the Pinelands Green Team and funded by the NJ Department of Education Climate Change Education and Resilience Grant. In addition to the funds received, Pinelands participated in the Climate Change Learning Collaborative (CCLC) Southern Region at Stockton University.
The Grant has 2 major goals:
1. Expand equitable access to high-quality, standards-based climate change education for K-12 students.
2. Encourage student-centered experiential learning opportunities and engagement in location-based climate change solutions.
NJDOE Key Elements
1. Grounded in Climate Science. 4. Interdisciplinary.
2. Developmentally appropriate. 5. Locally-focused.
3. Standards-based. 6. Student-centered.
Pinelands Green Team:
Dr. Kimberly Clark (Supervisor of Science)
Mr. Jim Ardoin (HS, Sustainability Coordinator)
Mr. Alex Henderson (JHS)
Mr. Harry Cross (Community - retired farmer)
Mrs. Laura Cross (Community - retired farmer)
Kylie Ballin (student)
Peyton Auermuller (student)
Katie Dillinger (student)
Mrs. Kelly Ramirez (staff)
Mrs. Toni Ann DiFrancia (staff)
Ms. Jen Suralik-Quintenz (staff)
Mr. Jim Becker (staff)
Mrs. Megan Costello (staff)
Mr. Eric Pschorr (JHS Principal)
Mr. Troy Henderson (HS Principal)
JHS Gardens Site Location: an area between the JHS media and Wildcat Shack was chosen for our garden area and outdoor classroom space. Grant funds were used to fence in the area, purchase a storage shed for tools, raised garden beds, and soil.
December 11, 2024: Representatives from the NJDOE tour the JHS Greenhouse, Garden site, and various classrooms that participated in cross-curricular Climate Change lessons.
January 2025: Mrs. Gerilynn Williams' STEAM students worked in collaborative groups to create a design concept for the JHS Gardens. Students took raised bed shapes, sunlight, and other variables into account in their designs. Students then presented their designs to a panel of judges in "Shark Tank" presentation to promote their designs. The presentation with the highest score was chosen and implemented in the JHS Gardens.
February 2025: Mrs.Gerilynn Williams' STEAM students assembled the raised beds in the media center to be placed in the JHS Gardens
March 3, 2025: Mrs. Gerilynn Williams' STEAM students continue assembling the raised beds outside in the JHS Gardens in the outdoor classroom space.
March 10, 2025: Mr. & Mrs. Cross helped Mrs. Traci Eggert's & Mrs. Megan Costello's 8th Grade Science students begin mixing soil and growing plants from seed in the JHS Greenhouse. Seeds were donated from various seed companies after students wrote letters asking for donations in their ELA classes.
March 31, 2025: After the soil was delivered and the raised beds were in place, Mr. Alex Henderson's & Mr. Kylie Minnisale's science class began filling the beds with soil.
Page updated
Report abuse