Mesa Mayor John Giles and Cox announced the donation of a Captain Planet Foundation Project Learning Garden to Mesa Public School District’s Eisenhower Center for Innovation in Mesa, Arizona.
Mayor John Giles together with Cox employees and the Captain Planet Foundation were on hand to observe 2nd-6th grade students from the Eisenhower Center for Innovation’s garden club harvesting leafy greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs, which quickly turned into a healthy salad on the mobile cooking cart for all those in attendance.
The Eisenhower Center for Innovation’s garden club will utilize the garden for student’s “hands on” learning of growing, harvesting, composting, and cooking of their harvest.
Why it matters
The garden donation by Cox Enterprises is part of a comprehensive partnership with the Captain Planet Foundation. Cox has supported the Captain Planet Foundation for many years and has recently focused on Project Learning Garden (PLG) as a seed funder of the Rejuvenation Grant Program in 2022 and this current initiative.
Digging Deeper
“Project Learning Garden is a great fit for Cox as we aim to empower 34 million people to live more prosperous lives by 2034,” stated Susan Anable, Cox Phoenix Market Vice President. “Cox is dedicated to making a positive impact in the communities that we serve. The Captain Planet Foundation Project Learning Garden makes a huge impact for kids at their schools; inspiring them with a direct connection to nature, environmental education, and healthy living.”
“So many subjects can be taught in the garden and hands-on garden learning is an excellent way to support student understanding of natural systems, food origins, and healthy eating,” explained Leesa Carter, President & CEO of Captain Planet Foundation. “Captain Planet Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that kids are armed with an understanding of the natural world in which they live, and we are thrilled to be partnering with Cox on Project Learning Garden.”
The Captain Planet Foundation Project Learning Garden comprise easy-to-assemble raised garden beds, soil, and seeds. Schools also receive supplies and tools to take learning into the garden. Educators are given thematic activities centered in standards and learning outcomes. A library of garden guides and tips for growing, harvesting, composting, cooking with kids, and more is also part of the garden. Schools with learning gardens report that students benefit from learning about nutrition and science, along with social studies, math, and language arts. They can expand their palates, taste-test healthy foods and learn about the origins of what they grow.
Read more Good articles from Green Living Magazine.
Header photo courtesy of Cox.
