Science at UM [S03-ep25]: Gardening at school

[Podcast] - Published on May 2, 2024 in Science-Society

This week on A l’UM la science, Sylvain Wagnon, researcher at Lirdef, the interdisciplinary laboratory for research in teaching, education, and training, presents his latest book, co-written with Corine Martel, inspector for the French Ministry of Education, Gardening at school to open up to the world. A program co-produced with Divergence FM and broadcast every Wednesday at 6 p.m. on 93.9.

While liquid skies have been falling on our heads for the past few days, gardeners are celebrating, and not just any celebration: Saint George, Saint Mark, Saint Eutrope, and soon Saint Philip, celebrated between April 25 and May 3, are... the Horsemen of the Cold! They mark, especially in our northern regions, the end of the risk of frost and therefore the beginning of planting. My grandmother, who used to dig and weed the soil in Normandy, swore by Saint Mamert, Saint Pancras, and Saint Servais, the Ice Saints celebrated on May 11, 12, and 13, due to the north-south time difference.    

In short, it's time to get out your gloves, boots, and hoe! And since the garden is never far from the schoolyard, today we're bringing you a program dedicated to school gardens. The idea is not new, and carrots, cabbages, and radishes have long been familiar units of measurement for schoolchildren. But gardening at school has many other attractions besides learning to count. It's a place to discover concepts of chemistry, biology, and history, to draw, to sing, and perhaps to learn to look at nature and your classmates in a different way. 

The introduction to our guest's book reads: "Gardening embodies the values of patience, perseverance, sharing, and respect, which are essential for a democratic, inclusive, and empowering education. Gardening at school therefore has significant educational, environmental, and social implications. " In a world that seems a little colder and harsher than usual to all of us, and even if we are not saints, giving a voice to those who are betting on a brighter future seemed like a good way for us to break the ice too. 

In the studio with us is Sylvain Wagnon, researcher at Lirdef, the interdisciplinary laboratory for research in teaching, education, and training, and co-author with Corine Martel, national education inspector, of the book Jardiner à l'école pour s'ouvrir au monde published by ESF Science humaine.

At UM Science, you have the program, so let's get started!

Co-production: Divergence FM / University of Montpellier
Host: Lucie Lecherbonnier
Interview: Aline Périault / Lucie Lecherbonnier
Production: Tom Chevallier

Listen to the program “A l’UM la science” on Divergence FM 93.9

Keywords: Science at UM, Research, Science, Company