| Clatsop County Master Gardener™ Association |
youth program
With traditional school subjects taking up most of the school day, there is usually little time left in K-12 classrooms for education about horticulture and gardening. However, research indicates that gardening education provides students with benefits like increased nutritional awareness, environmental awareness, and life skill development. Plus, it’s a fun change of pace for students and teachers. To address this need in Clatsop County, Master Gardener volunteers used funding awarded to the Clatsop County Master Gardener Association from an OR Bottle Drop grant to start facilitating horticulture activities with youth in 2024. Master Gardener volunteers have partnered with a variety of community partners to facilitate educational activities in classrooms, summer camps, and other events: 4-H, Sunset Empire Parks + Recreation, the Seaside Library, the Astoria Library, Consejo Hispano, and STARBASE Rilea. As a result of these programs, hundreds of young students tried growing a vegetable on their own for the first time, learned to appreciate bees, or became more aware of the native plants around them. |
Youth activity kits available for checkout from the OSU Extension Office!
Master Gardener volunteers have developed horticulture activity kits that are available for free checkout by teachers and parents. Visit the Extension Office at 2001 Marine Dr. Ste. 210, Astoria, OR 97103 anytime the office is open to check out a kit. Office hours: 8 am - 4:30 pm Monday to Thursday, 8:30 - 11:30 am on Fridays.
Here are the kits we currently have available:
Bean DissectionGrade level: K-5 Duration: 20-50 minutes depending on how many of the activities are completed. This kit is designed to teach the anatomy of a bean seed by dissecting and then examining the inside of a bean followed by drawing the anatomy of the bean. A bean book template is used to teach the anatomy of the bean which the student to puts together as a study of the bean seed. The lesson is designed to follow a book titled “Oh Can You Seed?” by Bonnie Worth written in a Dr Sues style which is included in the kit. Build a GreenhouseGrade level: K-5 Duration: 15-20 minutes What is a greenhouse and what is the purpose of a greenhouse? These questions are explored as the kids build their own miniature version. Once completed, the students will be able to take their greenhouse home to watch their plants grow.
How to Read a Seed PacketGrade level: 3-5 15-20 minutes This is an opportunity to interpret what conditions seeds need to germinate and become a mature plant. First students identify what grow zone they live in and then they use that information to guide them on the right planting time. Then the detailed information on the seed packets is discussed and written down in a chart as a tool for planting. This activity is a great start for the planting season.
Native PlantsGrade level: 2-5 Duration: 30-60 minutes Native plants are all around us, but how did they get there, and how can they survive without human involvement? Check out this kit to learn about several species of berry plants that grow right here in Clatsop county, including what advantages they have to succeed in our harsh, coastal environment and what sort of animals they support. Matching game and coloring activities included! Students will also learn what constitutes an invasive species and how they impact ecosystems.
Soil CompositionGrade level: 6-8 Duration: 45-60 minutes Students will investigate the nonliving components of soil and how to describe them. Students will use this information to explore the relationship between soil composition and plant growth. The student will perform soil sifting and the soil jar test to identify the different components of soil.
Seed KitGrade level: K-2 Duration: 40 minutes total - 20 minutes each for 2 mini-activities This kit contains 2 activities geared towards the younger crowd. Seed Dissection/Bean Seed Fun – The students will begin by sorting a mixed bag of beans. Then they will proceed with looking inside of beans that have been soaked overnight. They will identify the parts of a seed through exploration and drawing. How seeds move and travel – Students will explore seed shapes and size and then sort the seeds in how they adapt to travel and therefore disperse. |
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