Elementary School Resource

“Flower Power” Beautification Program

Objectives:

In this activity:

• Students will design a school wide beautification program.
• Students will apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment.
• Students will examine related career options in fields of horticulture and technology.
• Students will apply mathematical concepts related to the project (graphing data, analyzing data, creating and using a budget.)

Activity:

• Students brainstorm answers to the question “How do human decisions and activities have an impact upon the physical and living environment?”
• Students survey the school ground property and identify areas in need of beautification.
• Students write a letter of request to the board of education, seeking permission to participate in a beautification project; they explain that they will provide all plans for approval before initiation of any work.
• Students write letters to a landscape architect, surveyor, and horticulturist, requesting their presence as guest speakers. They will be asked to present information on landscape design, plant selection, and design implementation.
• Students take notes on different approaches to design and implementation provided during the speakers’ visitations.
• Students research various plants, their applicability to the area, and their costs.
• Students design and measure planting areas and identify the types and number of the plants on the basis of research.
• Students prepare a budget and inventory of needed supplies and materials.
• Students draw blueprints for the beautification areas.
• Students create a graphic presentation of the proposed beautification project, including all blueprints, budgets, and needed supplies. Students make presentation to school board (or school council), seeking final approval.
• Students execute the beautification design, cultivating the area and planting all seeds, bulbs, and plants.
• Students graph growth patterns and maintain a landscaper’s log.
• Students maintain the garden.
• Students discuss the various aspects of the project.

Related NY State Academic Standards: W.5.7, W.6.7, W.7.7 & more!

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