The Boys and Girls Club of Covington is planting an American Heart Association Teaching Garden as part of an educational initiative to help build healthy bodies and minds, locally sponsored by Chevron.
This Teaching Garden was created using American Heart Association science and nutrition guidelines coupled with information from gardening and education experts, all thanks to Teaching Garden founder Kelly Meyer. The program combines nutrition education with garden based learning. It is a real-life laboratory where students learn how to plant seeds, nurture growing plants, harvest produce and ultimately understand the value of good eating habits. Numerous studies have shown that participation in school garden programs can have a positive impact on student’s attitudes toward fruits and vegetables.
“Chevron is dedicated to supporting partners and programs that promote healthy and active lifestyles,” said Leah Brown, Public Affairs Manager for Chevron Gulf of Mexico. “The Boys and Girls Club Teaching Garden uses hands-on learning to bring science to life for students and encourages them to have a greater appreciation of healthy foods. We’re proud to be a part of it.”
Chevron’s support of the Teaching Garden is directly linked to the company’s involvement with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculums. Investing in hands-on programs like the Teaching Garden enables students to become more exposed to the fields of science and math.
“We are so thankful to be the host site of a Teaching Garden,” says Thomas Falgout, President/CEO at Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana. “Curriculum based learning such as this, provides our students with a better understanding of how the foods they eat can impact their bodies. The Teaching Garden education can help our students make better food choices which can lead to a healthier life outcome.”
Studies show that healthy behavior positively impacts learning. The goal of the program is to improve children’s health.
• Louisiana ranks fourth in childhood obesity (Trust For America’s Health)
• Nearly one in three American children are overweight or obese.
• American eating habits are leading to modern day “malnutrition,” with diets full of high calorie foods
• French fries are the most common source of vegetables consumed by children and make up one-fourth of their vegetable intake. Juice, which may lack important fiber found in whole fruits, accounts for 40 percent of children’s daily fruit intake.
For more information about the Teaching Garden program and how other schools can participate, visit www.takepart.com/teachinggarden.