About the Steenbreek Trophy
Stichting Steenbreek organizes the competition for the Steenbreek Trophy to showcase innovative examples in which greenery and water are used in practical ways and which illustrate what Steenbreek stands for. These are initiatives relating to, among other things, promoting biodiversity, health and social cohesion, and making a positive contribution to climate adaptation. These projects serve as inspiration and examples for others. Initiatives at street or neighborhood level, as well as at village and city level, can compete for the Steenbreek Trophy. They may come from a municipality itself, but also from a neighborhood association, neighborhood organization, housing corporation, entrepreneur or resident. In 2024, 23 excellent and highly diverse projects were submitted for participation. In June 2024, the jury nominated six projects from the entries, including the School Garden Inclusive Education Lingewaard project. On Monday 17 June 2024, the jury held a further in-depth digital discussion with the initiator(s) in order to reach a final judgment.School Garden Inclusive Education.
The jury decided to award the trophy to the unique form of school gardening in which working in the vegetable garden is integrated into other subjects in the educational curriculum, such as mathematics and history. The program is based on enjoyment, experiencing nature and learning by doing. And all of this produces demonstrable educational results. This was shown by research by Radboud University.
The Steenbreek Trophy jury consists of professionals, each with their own expertise and knowledge: Margot Ribberink, jury chair; Robert Graat, Staatsbosbeheer; Ans Hobbelink, AVVN Samen Natuurlijk Tuinieren; Henk Kuijpers, Stadswerk; Linda IJmker, IVN Natuureducatie; Wendy Bakker, Municipality of Rijswijk; Ben Roeterd, Municipality of Voorst.
The project
School Garden Inclusive Education started in 2016 at two primary schools in Bemmel as part of the mission and objectives of Stichting Lingewaard Natuurlijk (SLN). The project has a local history and aligns with the national trend of encouraging school gardening.
Every year, approximately 50 children from grades 6/7 at two primary schools come to SLN’s school garden complex to work in their vegetable garden. The garden plot is five square meters in size. The children come 25 times per season, during the period from mid-March to the end of October. Activities include sowing and planting, caring for the plants, harvesting and preparing the garden for winter at the end of the season. The children plant, among other things, potatoes, spinach, beets, carrots, leeks and beans. Six volunteers support the activities. During the holidays, parents and grandparents help with hoeing. The season concludes with a festive gathering and the presentation of certificates.
Gardening is woven into the educational curriculum, particularly the objectives of World Orientation (OJW). To achieve these objectives, a workbook containing 15 lessons and 22 assignments has been created. The lessons cover topics including maps and sowing calendars, seed germination, weather and climate, soil organisms, manure, honeybees, wild bees, weeds and herbs, vegetables and fruit, and farm visits. The topics are briefly revisited in the school garden. This takes the form of a practical lesson in which visual learning is central. At the end of each gathering, snacks made from vegetables and fruit are sampled. The aim is to promote ‘healthy eating’.
The process evaluation shows that teachers and parents are enthusiastic about this form of integrated education. The children are enthusiastic too. They not only greatly enjoy their garden plot, but also want to gain more background knowledge.
Read the full jury report here.C/em>