The Boston Green Academy’s new outdoor classroom was unveiled Tuesday in the city’s Brighton neighborhood, one of 10 new raised-bed garden and freight farm programs at various Boston Public Schools.
The space is thanks to a $100,000 grant to give BPS students the opportunity to learn about gardening, which may not always be easy for students living in the city. “Look at different flowers and stuff, and being able to do research,” said Paige Webb, a sophomore at Boston Green Academy.
“We’re stuck in the classroom all day, and if we come out here, we get some fresh air, we get to see the plants, and we get to clear our mind,” said Amilyah Lloyd, a sophomore at Boston Green Academy. This isn’t just about beautifying this space. The mayor said there is a connection between students being active in gardening and doing better in science.
“It’s more natural to make those connections. It’s more relevant stepping into some of the very jobs we are growing right here in Boston,” Mayor Michelle Wu said. “I can’t tell you how many companies I talk to who are looking for people who are trained up in green infrastructure.”
The district partnered with GrowBoston, the city’s new office of urban agriculture, to hopefully expand the program so every school in the district has outdoor learning. “I also think that kids feel very happy and excited to come to school knowing that they’re going to be outside and actually working hands-on with things,” said Ariday Mejia, a senior at Boston Green Academy.
“These students are our future. They are the future of our city, particularly when it comes to sustainability, particularly when it comes to climate change,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper.
Source: WCVB