A project built around the use of creative methods within the community to learn about nature and food production. The children were involved in artistic workshops with a focus on nature, with the aim of exploring the natural world in an alternative way, and providing teachers with further ideas on how to utilise the community edible garden and reading area for learning opportunities. The ultimate goal for the garden was to create a multi-sensory area at Mosta Primary School where all members of the community can visit and experience nature through all the senses.
The children were involved in artistic workshops that explored the natural world in an alternative way, and teachers were provided with ideas on how to utilise the community edible garden and reading area for learning opportunities. The ultimate goal for the garden was to create a multi-sensory area where all community members could visit and experience nature through all the senses.
The project has created a safe, fun, and informative learning environment where children can be taken to carry out essential development in areas such as fine and gross motor skills, social development, physical exercise, and scholastic skills such as basic mathematics, vocabulary, spelling and many others.
Through the project several materials were produced that are now available for dissemination, including a calendar showing the sowing and harvesting dates for the Maltese climate, along with pictures promoting the project activities. An instruction manual with details of sowing guidelines of each seed type purchased was also made available to school staff. A document with brief descriptions of the artistic workshops is available for use by school staff.
(images by Glen Slattery)
Ġnien Naqra Qatra was organised by Friends of the Earth Malta and Maria Regina College Mosta Primary A School – Kindergarden Annexe, in collaboration with the Local Council of Mosta. The project falls under the Schools of Sustainability EU-wide Project; organised with the financial assistance of the Creative Communities fund (managed by Arts Council Malta) and the European Union. The Schools of Sustainability Project in Malta is co-financed by the Ministry for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties.
