Early Start in Science
Our Model
Early Start in Science is a pre-kindergarten through 5th grade curriculum that builds a strong science foundation for children through garden-based learning. Garden exploration helps children develop a relationship with nature and see firsthand how the world works. Meaningful, accessible science exploration is a natural container for children’s social emotional learning.
Early Start in Science is built on Next Generation Science Standards and Massachusetts Science, Technology and Engineering standards. During the school day, CitySprouts Garden Educators provide weekly science education to elementary classrooms with our Early Start in Science curriculum. Our educators collaborate with teachers to extend and deepen students’ science knowledge and skills as well as their comfort in the natural world.
Outcomes are captured by Sun Associates, an external evaluator for the Early Start in Science initiative.
The CitySprouts program is supported in part through a district-wide service agreement in Cambridge Public Schools and with individual schools in Boston Public Schools. The CitySprouts Program serves only Cambridge and Boston public schools.
“One of the things I value about CitySprouts is that it is developed collaboratively with teachers, and it doesn’t look the same in every school or every classroom. There’s a vision and ethos but the application is really flexible.”
2nd grade Teacher, Cambridge Public Schools
Curious about what we do in schools? Check out this awesome animated short video that was created from a partnership with Lesley University's Community Animation Studio class!
-Credits-
Production Crew: Isabella Blake/Mikayla Bonaventura/Joseph Corcoran/Autumn Fiore/Alex Hampson/Rae Kerschenbaum/Emmet Levasseur/Bailey Longe/Briana Loperena/Jiafu Nie/Chloe Peters
Narration: Jourdan Hagan
Score: Ben Sound
Faculty: Michael Annear