2010-12 Outputs & Outcomes
The following results were compiled from surveys conducted for the 2010 - 2012 Connecting Learning & Living curriculum.
494 Responses – 68% classroom teachers, 32% out-of-school educators
29,444 Youth – Participated in primarily Growing in the Garden lessons
211 Gardens – 173 school + child care, 26 community, 12 others utilized
90 to 100% Students showing evidence of the following:
Learned how to grow foods
Ate fruits and vegetables
Interested in going outdoors
Chose healthy foods
Talked about where food comes from
70 to 90% Students showing evidence of the following:
Increased physical activity
Improved communication skills (listened, asked questions, shared information)
Improved citizenship skills (respected plants, animals, people, and the environment)
Improved leadership skills (worked together in a team)
Most popular responses to examples of evidence showing changes in knowledge:
- General evidence of knowledge gained included - asked and answered questions, remembered what was learned later, transferred or applied knowledge, improved assignments and tests, shared what they learned with others
- Plant characteristics, identification, and how to grow plants
- Where food comes from – starting with the soil
- Healthy food choices and MyPyramid
- Identify, use, respect natural resource needed to grow plants
- Animals and insects, life cycles, interaction with plants
Most popular responses to examples of evidence showing changes in behavior:
- Students showed more excitement/engagement/enthusiasm/active participation/attentiveness/involvement/pride/teamwork.
- Students were more willing to try new foods and new activities, they ate fruits and vegetables, they asked for more.
- They made healthier choices at lunch and for snacks.
- They loved to garden, shared what they learned with parents, started own gardens, wanted to go outside more often.
- They talked with each other, friends, and family about the food they were eating – where it came from, how to grow it, and health matters.
- They showed more pride and respect for the environment, picking up trash, telling others how to take better care.
Most popular themes in the general comments:
- I/the students “love” doing this program
- The children are more willing to try new foods.
- The students choose healthier foods at lunch and for snacks.
- Wonderful/excellent program.
- Connects to what we do in class - especially science, math, language arts, health
- Compliments our curriculum with hands-on activities that students remember
- 4-H Clubs
- 4-H Clover Kids
- 4-H Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM)
- Connecting Learning & Living Programs
- Iowa 4-H Afterschool
- Iowa 4-H Camping
- Iowa AmeriCorps 4-H Outreach
- Service Learning