Harnessing model school gardens as engaging educational platforms to improve food and nutrition security in school children

School gardens offer a powerful platform for shaping children's food choices and promoting healthy eating habits among aged children. In the context of Sri Lanka, where food and nutrition security are critical concerns, integrating agricultural interventions like school gardens into educational syst...

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Main Authors: Indramali, O.S., Karunanayaka, M.M.S., Perera, T., Dissanayake, U., Mohotti, J., Hunter, D., Silva, K.D.R.R.
Format: Poster
Language:Inglés
Published: 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/163292
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author Indramali, O.S.
Karunanayaka, M.M.S.
Perera, T.
Dissanayake, U.
Mohotti, J.
Hunter, D.
Silva, K.D.R.R.
author_browse Dissanayake, U.
Hunter, D.
Indramali, O.S.
Karunanayaka, M.M.S.
Mohotti, J.
Perera, T.
Silva, K.D.R.R.
author_facet Indramali, O.S.
Karunanayaka, M.M.S.
Perera, T.
Dissanayake, U.
Mohotti, J.
Hunter, D.
Silva, K.D.R.R.
author_sort Indramali, O.S.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description School gardens offer a powerful platform for shaping children's food choices and promoting healthy eating habits among aged children. In the context of Sri Lanka, where food and nutrition security are critical concerns, integrating agricultural interventions like school gardens into educational systems is essential. This study aimed to identify the challenges faced in implementing school gardening and to suggest improvements for a model garden that could enhance nutrition awareness and food security. Through a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten agriculture teachers from schools across two neighboring districts in Sri Lanka, along with seven agriculture experts having experience in school gardening projects. The interviews were translated and transcribed and then the data was analyzed by using N-Vivo 14 software. The findings revealed challenges such as maintenance of gardens during school vacations, lack of funding, time constraints and negative attitudes of children. Experts suggested incorporating innovative methods such as vertical farming, drip and sprinkler systems, permaculture gardening, and hydroponics to increase student enthusiasm for gardening. They suggested that school gardens help students get more nutritious food and enable combining nutrition lessons with gardening activities. Furthermore, establishment of student-managed gardening clubs with shared responsibilities will ensure sustainability of school gardens, reduce the dependency on teachers, while improve the attitudes of students towards nutrition. The study concludes that there is a high potential to use school gardens as educational tool in promoting healthy eating habits and informed food choices among school-aged children.
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spelling CGSpace1632922025-11-05T11:51:14Z Harnessing model school gardens as engaging educational platforms to improve food and nutrition security in school children Indramali, O.S. Karunanayaka, M.M.S. Perera, T. Dissanayake, U. Mohotti, J. Hunter, D. Silva, K.D.R.R. child nutrition school gardening educational gardens School gardens offer a powerful platform for shaping children's food choices and promoting healthy eating habits among aged children. In the context of Sri Lanka, where food and nutrition security are critical concerns, integrating agricultural interventions like school gardens into educational systems is essential. This study aimed to identify the challenges faced in implementing school gardening and to suggest improvements for a model garden that could enhance nutrition awareness and food security. Through a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten agriculture teachers from schools across two neighboring districts in Sri Lanka, along with seven agriculture experts having experience in school gardening projects. The interviews were translated and transcribed and then the data was analyzed by using N-Vivo 14 software. The findings revealed challenges such as maintenance of gardens during school vacations, lack of funding, time constraints and negative attitudes of children. Experts suggested incorporating innovative methods such as vertical farming, drip and sprinkler systems, permaculture gardening, and hydroponics to increase student enthusiasm for gardening. They suggested that school gardens help students get more nutritious food and enable combining nutrition lessons with gardening activities. Furthermore, establishment of student-managed gardening clubs with shared responsibilities will ensure sustainability of school gardens, reduce the dependency on teachers, while improve the attitudes of students towards nutrition. The study concludes that there is a high potential to use school gardens as educational tool in promoting healthy eating habits and informed food choices among school-aged children. 2024-11-29 2024-12-10T16:01:52Z 2024-12-10T16:01:52Z Poster https://hdl.handle.net/10568/163292 en Open Access application/pdf Indramali, O.; Karunanayaka, M.; Perera, T.; Dissanayake, U.; Mohotti, J.; Hunter, D.; Silva, K. D.R.R. (2024) Harnessing model school gardens as engaging educational platforms to improve food and nutrition security in school children. 1 p.
spellingShingle child nutrition
school gardening
educational gardens
Indramali, O.S.
Karunanayaka, M.M.S.
Perera, T.
Dissanayake, U.
Mohotti, J.
Hunter, D.
Silva, K.D.R.R.
Harnessing model school gardens as engaging educational platforms to improve food and nutrition security in school children
title Harnessing model school gardens as engaging educational platforms to improve food and nutrition security in school children
title_full Harnessing model school gardens as engaging educational platforms to improve food and nutrition security in school children
title_fullStr Harnessing model school gardens as engaging educational platforms to improve food and nutrition security in school children
title_full_unstemmed Harnessing model school gardens as engaging educational platforms to improve food and nutrition security in school children
title_short Harnessing model school gardens as engaging educational platforms to improve food and nutrition security in school children
title_sort harnessing model school gardens as engaging educational platforms to improve food and nutrition security in school children
topic child nutrition
school gardening
educational gardens
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/163292
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