Research Projects at Troy Gardens

Tending Nature’s Classroom: A Qualitative Examination of Motivations and
Values of Educational Place-Makers at Troy Gardens

Principal Investigators: Nathan Larson and William Cronon

Overview

Recognizing that adults are key actors in the procurement and development of places for urban outdoor education, this study examines the motives and values of adults who have played roles in the creation and maintenance of educational gardens for youth. By collecting data from interviews, I worked to achieve an understanding of the significant reasons why adults support such outdoor learning environments and what they most hope young people will gain through their participation in education programs at these places. I hope the study sheds light on this vital process of place-making in a way that is useful to people trying to develop outdoor garden classrooms in urban communities around the world, as well as to researchers who study such places.

Photo: Youth and adults working in the Kids' Garden (photo by: Nathan Larson).

For further information about the results from this research please contact Nathan Larson at: education at troygardens.org (replace "at" with @ when sending the email).