Curriculum Connections in the Garden Workshop
Sep
18
9:30 AM09:30

Curriculum Connections in the Garden Workshop

  • Life Lab Garden Classroom, on the UCSC Farm. Park in UCSC Parking lot 116 and walk to farm. (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Curriculum Connections in the GardenWorkshop

Learn to use a school garden to provide a meaningful context in which students can apply their emerging skills in math, English language arts, science and social studies. Using lessons from using lessons drawn from all of Life Lab’s curriculum participants in this workshop will experience and discuss garden activities. Whether they are graphing the temperature of their compost pile over time; reading a recipe to make fresh salsa; writing a story from the perspective of an ant; or presenting to a buddy class on the animals that visited their sunflower patch, the opportunities for children to practice traditional academic subjects in the garden are limitless! Graduate education unit available.

Learn more and register here: https://www.lifelab.org/curriculum-connections-in-the-garden

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Plant to Plate Workshop
Oct
16
to Oct 17

Plant to Plate Workshop

  • Life Lab Garden Classroom, on the UCSC Farm. Park in UCSC Parking lot 116 and walk to farm. (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Plant to Plate Workshop

Make the connection from seed to table in this fun and delicious workshop. Using tried-and-true Life Lab lessons and recipes for grades K-8, participants explore effective ways to teach nutrition and encourage kids to eat more fruits and vegetables through hands-on activities with food, including harvesting and meal preparation. Graduate education units available.

Learn more and register here: https://www.lifelab.org/plant-to-plate

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The Growing Classroom Workshop
Jun
11
to Jun 12

The Growing Classroom Workshop

  • Life Lab Garden Classroom, on the UCSC Farm. Park in UCSC Parking lot 116 and walk to farm. (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Growing Classroom Workshop

Santa Cruz Garden Teacher Workshop

Learn to use a garden to breathe life into standards-based lessons, promote ecological literacy, encourage a love of nourishing foods, and support students’ social development. Using Life Lab’s The Growing Classroom activity guide for grades K-6, participants in this hands-on workshop experience tried-and-true garden-based lessons linked to Common Core Language Arts and Math and Next Generation Science Standards; practice basic gardening techniques; and develop management strategies for a school garden program. Graduate education units available.

Learn More and Register Here: https://www.lifelab.org/the-growing-classroom

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Santa Cruz Area School Food and Garden Tour
May
1
9:30 AM09:30

Santa Cruz Area School Food and Garden Tour

  • Life Lab Garden Classroom, on the UCSC Farm. Park in UCSC Parking lot 116 and walk to farm. (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Santa Cruz Area School Food and Garden Tour

The Santa Cruz area is home to robust, long standing gardens and innovative school meal programs. Join us to visit resilient school gardens and scratch cooking school meal programs that are exemplary of the programming that has been running for decades.

Learn more and register here: https://www.lifelab.org/santa-cruz-area-school-food-and-garden-tour

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BANANA SLUG STRING BAND 40TH ANNIVERSARY BASH
Mar
29
4:00 PM16:00

BANANA SLUG STRING BAND 40TH ANNIVERSARY BASH

BANANA SLUG STRING BAND 40TH ANNIVERSARY BASH

The Banana Slug String Band, a beloved children’s music group known for their
quirky characters and educational tunes, is thrilled to announce their 40th Anniversary show for
the whole family. With 40 years of experience and counting, the Banana Slugs have captured the hearts of millions of children with their infectious energy and environmentally conscious message. Their unique blend of folk, rock, and reggae creates a fun and engaging atmosphere that inspires kids to learn and grow.

The Banana Slug String Band is a group of passionate musicians and educators dedicated to
creating music that entertains and enlightens. Their songs cover a wide range of topics, from
the wonders of nature to the importance of kindness and cooperation. With their catchy
melodies and silly antics, the Banana Slugs make learning fun for kids of all ages. Doug Dirt, Airy
Larry, Marine Mark, and Solar Steve are the Real Deal…..Impassioned musicians, songwriters,
performers, educators, and eco-warriors! With guitars, voices, crazy characters, and an
extraordinary ability to connect with children…. they change the world, one child at a time!

Their new CD is called Pollinator Nation and is all about the world of pollinators. Songs including
“Don’t Swat It”, “Go Organic”, and the title track “Pollinator Nation” lead the world to the understanding that insects are helpful, organic food is healthy, and pollinators are crucial to our beautiful planet. The Slugs use their usual wit to create songs that you will remember and learn from, helping us explore together the world of birds, bees, butterflies, and bugs who keep the world vibrating with life!

Banana Slug String Band
Saturday March 29th, 2025 – 4PM
(Note: Early Show!)
Rio Theatre – Santa Cruz

$30 Adult Ticket
(Adults are ages 13+)
$15 Kids Ticket (
Kids are ages 12 and under)

+$5 SERVICE CHARGE PER TICKET


TICKETS $5 MORE AT THE DOOR + $5 SERVICE CHARGE

All tickets are “will call” at the door, no physical tickets will be sent to you. All ticket sales are FINAL, no refunds. Got questions? Call Patty at 831-479-9421!

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Volunteer Day
Mar
22
9:30 AM09:30

Volunteer Day

Volunteer Day at the Life Lab Garden Classroom

Saturday, March 22nd
9:30 AM to 12:00 PM (Rain cancels).

What to Expect:

  • Hands-on projects such as planting, weeding, and general garden maintenance

  • A chance to learn new skills and enjoy the fresh outdoors 

  • Some goodies to take home: fruit, plant cuttings, seeds :)

What to Bring:

  • Comfortable clothing you don't mind getting dirty (we recommend layers) and closed-toe shoes

  • A water bottle (you can refill at the garden)

  • We will provide some snacks but feel free to bring extra if you might need more fuel

Parking Information
Please park for free in Lot 116. Additional parking is also available at Lot 115 and Lot 117A on the UC Santa Cruz campus. It is a ~5 minute walk to the Garden. 

  • After parking, cross Coolidge Drive and follow the sidewalk straight to the intersection of the stop sign, bike path, and dirt road. From there, follow the dirt road to the stairs and gate that lead to the Garden Classroom.

  • For maps and directions to UCSC click here.

  • If you need accessible parking, please email admin@lifelab.org.

Please confirm your assistance here! Feel free to bring friends and family – the more, the merrier!

If you have questions please contact daniela@lifelab.org.

We hope to see you in the garden!

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Jan
22
11:30 PM23:30

School Garden Support Organization Leadership Institute Application Closes January 22, 2025

Join School Garden Leaders in Santa Cruz, CA for 4 full days of Sharing and Learning!

Apply by January 22, 2025

Apply here www.lifelab.org/sgso-institute

Every year, the School Garden Support Organization Leadership Institute provides an opportunity for school garden professionals from across the country to collaborate, learn from one another, and develop resources to share with a national audience. In this way, we all become able to better support school gardens in our regions, and also advance the national school garden movement.

 

The 2025 SGSO Leadership Institute Will Prioritize Garden to Cafeteria Programs

 

The 2025 SGSO Leadership Institute will prioritize applicants representing school food service, school gardens/farms, district level farms and organizations developing or managing farm/garden to cafeteria programs. 

Each team invited to attend will send 2 key leaders to the Institute. Teams can be comprised of two people from the same organization, or two individuals from different organizations who work closely together to support multiple school gardens in their region.

 

We Are Particularly Seeking Teams Interested in:

– Enhancing trainings for garden-based educators planned for 2025-26

– Approaching garden education with a lens of equity and inclusion

– Developing or are working to enhance, school or school district farm/garden to cafeteria programs.

 

Cost: Sliding scale based on organizational budget. Travel stipends available.

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Gifts From the Garden
Nov
17
1:00 PM13:00

Gifts From the Garden

  • Life Lab Garden Classroom, on the UCSC Farm. Park in UCSC Parking lot 116 and walk to farm. (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join Us for a Garden-Inspired Afternoon of Creative Gift-Making!

Celebrate the beauty of nature by crafting unique gifts from the garden at this free, family-friendly event.

Everyone will leave with the crafts they create and you will also get a sneak peek of the activities we typically offer during our Summer Camps!

Crafts Available:

  • Flower BookMarks / Greeting Cards

  • Veggie Print Wrapping Paper / Greeting Cards

  • Succulent Cork Magnets

  • Family Tea Bags

  • Leaf Rubbing Cards

  • Seedy Mosiacs / Ornaments

  • Painted Rocks or mini pots

  • Burlap Wrapped Seedlings

Please RSVP Here.

Donations are appreciated and will help support this event and our programs. If you would like to donate craft supplies, please email kelsey@lifelab.org

Directions to Life Lab: lifelab.org/visiting

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2024 UCSC Harvest Festival
Sep
30
11:00 AM11:00

2024 UCSC Harvest Festival

The 2024 Harvest Festival will feature live music, an apple pie baking contest, kids' activities, pumpkins for sale, delicious food, and more!

$5 admission / Free admission for kids under 12, UCSC, Hartnell College, and Cabrillo College students with a student ID, Semillas program families, and Friends of the UCSC Farm & Garden members. Please pre-register with credit card or pay cash at the gate.

Bicycling, car pooling, ridesharing, and public transportation are encouraged as parking is limited. If you drive to the event, please plan to park in UCSC Lot #104 (East Remote parking lot) and walk or take a complimentary shuttle to the farm. There will be directional signage to help you get to the correct parking lot and farm entrances.

Please bring a reusable water bottle to save plastic and stay hydrated! Pets are not allowed on the UC Santa Cruz campus (with the exception of service animals).

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Engineering in the Garden Workshop
Sep
26
9:30 AM09:30

Engineering in the Garden Workshop

Learn to facilitate engineering experiences for students in the garden! Participants will engage in a 3rd-5th grade unit designed for Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), in which students design and build trellises for peas in the school garden. We will make observations; design, build and test prototypes; and then build full-size trellises to grow peas. By unpacking this unit, we will learn how to facilitate engineering experiences that address real problems or needs in school gardens. You will leave with resources to lead this unit, and also a framework for designing your own engineering in the garden unit.

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Life Lab-Certified School Garden Educator Program - 8-Week Course
Sep
9
3:30 PM15:30

Life Lab-Certified School Garden Educator Program - 8-Week Course

Building on Life Lab’s 40+ years of experience in the school garden movement, we’ve put together a virtual course that will guide and support educators in becoming a Life Lab-Certified School Garden Educator!

Cohort 9: 8 Week Program

  • Live classes will be held on Zoom, every Monday and Wednesday, from 3:30 - 5:00 PT.

  • September 9, 2024 - October 30, 2024

  • Register Here.

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Life Lab-Certified School Garden Educator Program - 16-Week Course
Aug
27
3:30 PM15:30

Life Lab-Certified School Garden Educator Program - 16-Week Course

Building on Life Lab’s 40+ years of experience in the school garden movement, we’ve put together a virtual course that will guide and support educators in becoming a Life Lab-Certified School Garden Educator!

Cohort 8: 16 Week Program

  • Live classes will be held on Zoom, every Tuesday, from 3:30 - 5:00 PT.

  • August 27, 2024 - Dec 10, 2024

  • Register here

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The Growing Classroom Workshop
Jun
20
to Jun 21

The Growing Classroom Workshop

  • Life Lab Garden Classroom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Learn to use a garden to breathe life into standards-based lessons, promote ecological literacy, encourage a love of nourishing foods, and support students’ social development. Using Life Lab’s The Growing Classroom activity guide for grades K-6, participants in this hands-on workshop experience tried-and-true garden-based lessons linked to Common Core Language Arts and Math and Next Generation Science Standards; practice basic gardening techniques; and develop management strategies for a school garden program. Graduate education units available.

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Sowing the Seeds of Wonder Workshop
May
18
9:30 AM09:30

Sowing the Seeds of Wonder Workshop

Spend a day looking at the garden through the eyes of a young child. Using Life Lab's Sowing the Seeds of Wonder activity guide for preschool and kindergarten, participants in this workshop sample activities designed to encourage young children to learn about the world using their senses; practice basic gardening skills with a focus on gardening with young children; discuss safe and age-appropriate garden design; and learn garden art projects and songs for preschoolers. Graduate education unit available.

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Responsive Classroom Management Workshop
Apr
19
9:30 AM09:30

Responsive Classroom Management Workshop

How can we possibly manage 30 students in an Outdoor Classroom?! Participants in this workshop will explore best practices for establishing and maintaining a positive, engaging culture of learning and fun in a garden setting. Together we will experience and discuss setting the tone for equitable and inclusive instruction; garden class routines; station rotations; and specific techniques to maximize student engagement and participation.

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Certified School Garden Educator Course - Cohort 7 - 16 Week Series
Jan
23
to May 8

Certified School Garden Educator Course - Cohort 7 - 16 Week Series

  • Life Lab, Garden Classroom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Building on Life Lab’s 40 years of experience in the school garden movement, we’ve updated and put together a series of 4 virtual courses that will guide and support educators in becoming a Life Lab-Certified School Garden Educator. Upon completion of the full 16-week course, participants will receive a certificate and the distinction of being a Life Lab – Certified Garden Educator!

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School Garden Support Organization Leadership Institute
Dec
4
to Dec 9

School Garden Support Organization Leadership Institute

  • Life Lab Garden Classroom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Every year, the School Garden Support Organization Leadership Institute provides an opportunity for school garden professionals from across the country to collaborate, learn from one another, and develop resources to share with a national audience. In this way, we all become able to better support school gardens in our regions, and also advance the national school garden movement.

View Event →
Plant to Plate Workshop
Oct
12
9:30 AM09:30

Plant to Plate Workshop

Make the connection from seed to table in this fun and delicious workshop. Using tried-and-true Life Lab lessons and recipes for grades K-8, participants explore effective ways to teach nutrition and encourage kids to eat more fruits and vegetables through hands-on activities with food, including harvesting and meal preparation. Graduate education units available.

View Event →
Introduction to Next Generation Science in the Garden Workshop
Sep
14
9:30 AM09:30

Introduction to Next Generation Science in the Garden Workshop

How can we possibly manage 30 students in an Outdoor Classroom?! Participants in this workshop will explore best practices for establishing and maintaining a positive, engaging culture of learning and fun in a garden setting. Together we will experience and discuss setting the tone for equitable and inclusive instruction; garden class routines; station rotations; and specific techniques to maximize student engagement and participation. Graduate education units available.

View Event →
Certified School Garden Educator Course - 16 Week Series
Sep
5
to Dec 19

Certified School Garden Educator Course - 16 Week Series

  • Life Lab, Garden Classroom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Building on Life Lab’s 40 years of experience in the school garden movement, we’ve updated and put together a series of 4 virtual courses that will guide and support educators in becoming a Life Lab-Certified School Garden Educator. Upon completion of the full 16-week course, participants will receive a certificate and the distinction of being a Life Lab – Certified Garden Educator!

View Event →
The Growing Classroom Workshop
Aug
24
to Aug 25

The Growing Classroom Workshop

  • Life Lab, Garden Classroom (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Learn to use a garden to breathe life into standards-based lessons, promote ecological literacy, encourage healthy eating, and support students’ social development. Using Life Lab’s The Growing Classroom activity guide for grades K-6, participants in this hands-on workshop, experience tried-and-true garden-based lessons linked to Common Core Language Arts and Math and Next Generation Science Standards; practice basic gardening techniques; and develop management strategies for a school garden program. Graduate education units available.

View Event →
Responsive Classroom Management Workshop
Apr
21
9:30 AM09:30

Responsive Classroom Management Workshop

How can we possibly manage 30 students in an Outdoor Classroom?! Participants in this workshop will explore best practices for establishing and maintaining a positive, engaging culture of learning and fun in a garden setting. Together we will experience and discuss setting the tone for equitable and inclusive instruction; garden class routines; station rotations; and specific techniques to maximize student engagement and participation. Graduate education units available.

View Event →