Research Database

This searchable database is a collection of research articles that demonstrate the value and effectiveness of Garden-Based Learning. Research articles listed were collected and categorized via the work of the CSGN Research Working Group and the Cornell Garden-Based Learning Program (http://blogs.cornell.edu/garden/).

How zucchini won fifth-grade hearts.

"Children Today, 16 (3), 18-21" By Cavaliere, D. 1987

Survey on the needs of elementary education teachers to enhance the use of horticulture or gardening in the classroom.

"HortTechnology, 8(3), 370-373." By Dobbs, K. et al. 1998
A 1995 survey of teachers in Virginia found that 88% of the respondents were interested in incorporating horticulture/gardening into the classroom; 785 of the respondents said that additional training was needed; 86% said that volunteer support for gardening programs was important.

The Best of Both Worlds: A critical pedagogy of place.

"Educational Researcher, 32 (4) 3-12." By Gruenewald, Davis A. 2003 May

Growing Minds: The effect of a school gardening program on the science achievement of elementary students.

"HortTechnology, 15 (3) 448-452" By Klemmer, "C.D., T.M. Waliczek, and J.M. Zajicek" 2005
"Science achievement of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students was studied using a sample of 647 students in Temple, TX. Of the two control groups, one combined gardening activities with science instruction; the other used only science instruction. Results showed the experimental groups scored significantly higher on the science achievement test compared to the control group."

Development of a science achievement evaluation instrument for a school garden program.

Development of a science achievement evaluation instrument for a school garden program. By Klemmer, "C.D., T.M. Waliczek, and J.M. Zajicek" 2005
"The purpose of this study was to develop three cognitive test instruments for assessing science achievement gain of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students using a garden curriculum. Reliability and validity were established."

Beneficial Science Teacher Training (Benefits of hands-on education).

"Journal of Extension, April 2000, 38 (2)." By Konen, Joseph & Robert L. Horton 2000 April

Closing the achievement gap: using the environment as an integrating context for learning.

"Sacramento, CA: CA State Education and Environment Roundtable, 1998." By Lieberman, G.A. and L. Hoody 1998
"This is a study on the effects of environmental education. It describes several dimensions of EE programs. Results for schools with such programs show better performance on standardized measures of academic achievement in reading, writing, math, science and social studies. Classroom behavior showed improvements as well. "

Equal Opportunity Science: Linking English Language Learners and Gardening.

"Science Teacher, Pub 1992, 59 (5) 22-25" By Mason, C.L. & R.H. Barba 1992
More Research

Garden-Based Learning Research Summaries

The CSGN Research Committee along with the UC Garden-Based Learning Workgroup has created research summaries that highlight the value of garden-based education programs. These were created to give promoters of school gardens data to share on the impact of garden-based learning.

More benefits of Garden-Based Learning are documented on Cornell's Garden-Based Learning site.

Garden-Based Learning Assessment Tools

For resources on assessing garden-based education programs try the following sites:

Garden-Based Learning Evaluators Tool Kit

Easy to use guidance, aimed at the educator with minimum experience with evaluation, for purposes of program improvement and documentation.

Farm to School & School Garden Research Consortium

A social network that coordinates research and evaluation efforts to strengthen farm to school and garden-based education programs, practices and policies