Discover how food connects the garden, Ethnic Studies/ History and culture. In this hands-on Life Lab workshop, educators will explore how growing, harvesting, and sharing food can bring social studies and nutrition to life.Through garden tastings and storytelling, participants will explore how food connects to people, place, and culture—helping students see that every bite has a story behind it.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Integrate history, culture, and nutrition through garden-based lessons.
Grow and harvest edible plants that connect to heritage and geography.
Use storytelling and food traditions to deepen student understanding.
Facilitate conversations about identity, access, and sustainability through food.
Inspire students to see food as both nourishment and narrative.
WHAT YOU’LL EARN
Garden-based activities and recipes that tie culture, health, and history together.
Tools for connecting edible gardening and storytelling in your outdoor classroom.
A network of educators exploring how food tells the story of who we are and where we come from.
WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE
A guided tour of our 30-acre organic farm and children’s garden overlooking Monterey Bay
A relaxing atmosphere with local snacks, drinks, and vegetarian lunch, generously provided by Charlie Hong Kong.
WHEN
Thursday and Friday, September 17- 18, 2026
9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
LOCATION
Life Lab’s Garden Classroom on the UC Santa Cruz Campus
www.lifelab.org/visiting
AUDIENCE
K-6 classroom teachers and garden educators
COST
$400
10% Early-Bird Registration Discount will be applied at check-out process for Garden Classroom workshops registered 14 days prior to workshop start date.
More Info
Continuing Education Credit available for $80 per unit through the University of the Pacific.
Financial Assistance Available. Click here to apply.
Question? Contact kelsey@lifelab.org
