While colors are changing, one crop blossomed at Pathfinder School! A large pumpkin patch is ready for picking at thePathfinder Learning Garden! Take a look at the patch and the work over the past year to make it all happen!

The Pathfinder Learning Garden was established in 2017 when Pathfinder Principal Mr. Nick Fratto applied for and received a grant from Grow Pittsburgh and The Kitchen Community (TKC) to create a learning garden. The goal of the learning garden is to grow, cook and eat fresh food while celebrating the cultures and experiences of our students and our community. The work of Grow Pittsburgh and TKC in schools across the region is driven by the understanding that hands-on, inquiry-based learning has significant positive effects on the development of children.

A school garden fits perfectly with Pathfinder’s initiative to promote healthy eating habits and physical activity within our school environment. Research has shown that when children actively participate in the growing of a vegetable from seed to harvest, they are more likely to eat that vegetable.

Many of our students have limited dietary preferences and, in many cases, do not default to healthy food choices. We hope to observe students expanding their palate, with hopes it’ll transfer over to home.

Another benefit of a school garden is that students with special needs learn best when they engage in hands-on learning activities. A school garden is a perfect environment for this kind of learning, immersing students in elements of nature. Students will be able to use their gardening experiences to reinforce concepts taught in math, science, reading and the arts!

Finally, research has also shown that creating and maintaining a garden provides therapeutic qualities and is now being recognized as a tool to help children with special needs. Benefits include increased social skills, enhanced creativity, improved motor skills and improved self-confidence. Gardening also helps reduce stress and helps children cope with anxiety and frustration. We're so proud of our student's careful stewarding!