Programs
Living Labs Project works with schools and their communities to carefully envision and build outdoor classrooms or 'Living Labs'. The spaces are unique to each project and based on the needs and desires of teachers, students and families involved. 'Living Labs' are places for creative play, multifaceted learning, habitat regeneration, health, beauty, and often food production.
We work closely with teachers, students, and school districts to foster regular outdoor lessons that utilize and maintain the Living Lab. Each space provides empowering learning experiences and instills a deep stewardship ethic for those involved.
Currently, we have three programs operating in the San Francisco
Bay Area:
Living Labs Design School mentors high school students to collaboratively envision and implement the creation of outdoor learning spaces or Living Labs.
Living Schoolyards creates, develops, and implements sustainable school garden committees, developing a schoolyard master plan, and implementing regular community work parties to achieve the vision for the Living Lab in elementary schools.
Greening Communities is a fee-for-service residential landscape design and installation partnership, with a community education component.
Through classes, workshops, curriculum, and community work days, facilitated by Living Labs Project and our partners, activities in a 'Living Lab' may include:
- native habitat restoration
- growing food—vegetables, fruits, grains, and herbs
- cultivating healing plants
- study of ecological natural history
- pattern observation and nature awareness
- creative visioning
- nature journaling
- wildlife surveying
- art projects inspired by nature and natural materials
- collaborative design
- drafting and mathematical calculations
- proposal and presentation to appropriate stakeholders
- project management
- resource gathering
- team-building
- community service
- development of leadership skills
- landscape installation and maintenance
- composting and soil biology
- tending drought-tolerant gardens
- practical uses for native plants
- building with natural materials such as cob and straw bale
- creating greywater systems and rainwater catchment
- bee-keeping
- animal husbandry
- garden-based nutrition
- food preservation
- homesteading skills
- seasonal, health-supportive cooking
