Bates Garden
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Contents |
Goal
Expansion and improvements to the already existing Bates Academy's Patriots Patch Garden in Detroit, Michigan:
- A greenhouse for growing plants in cold and challenging weather.
- A barrel for collecting rain water from the school roof. Rain water will be used to water the garden.
- An outdoor white board and benches for our outdoor classroom garden.
Objectives
Students will design and prototype a greenhouse for an outdoor classroom. Students will design and prototype the outdoor classroom and benches.
Materials
- Prototyping Resources:
- recycled and class materials
- For the Greenhouse:
- 3/4" PVC pipe + various connectors
- 1/2" Rebar
- Clear plastic sheeting
- Wooden palettes (for the floor)
- Lots of Duct tape
- Plastic Rain Barrel
- For the Benches:
- Painted Lumber
- Cinder Blocks
- Wipe Off Board:
- Cut Shower Boards
Preparation
- The greenhouse is to butt up against an already existing school building wall and have a southern exposure.
- The greenhouse is constructed from 3/4" PVC pipe. It is anchored to the ground by pounding 4' long 1/2" rebar into the ground and sliding the vertical pipe over the rebar. 6 or 8 mil clear or white plastic drop cloth can be used to fabricate the walls and curved roof.
- Because the site is bare ground, a simple floor can be made from discarded wooden palettes.
Activity Procedure
1. Brainstorming: Using a tree map categories-
- a. Materials
- b. Tools
- c. Resources
- d. Goals
2. Create an illustration of the greenhouse and label.
3. Select materials to construct the prototypes of the greenhouse using recycled materials.
4. Use materials to construct your illustration.
5. Add details like benches, wipe off board and paper grass.
6. Have students write a narrative to describe the prototyping process, the challenges of construction and design.
7. Share the design with your class.
Resources
- From the OER Commons Wiki:
- DIY Greenhouse
- HOME DEPOT
