Lower School students in grade 1 are learning about responsible consumption and production for its project-based learning and service learning, per the grade’s alignment with United Nations Sustainable Goal No. 12.

This week, grade 1 students had the opportunity to learn more about locally grown produce while serving the school community. The students visited The Ecology Center, a 28-acre farm and education center in San Juan Capistrano and longtime St. Margaret’s partner, to learn more about their farming practices and to pick a basket of strawberries. 

The strawberries were not for the students to enjoy (though they did get to taste a couple). Instead, some of the strawberries were served on the Scottie Snack Cart this week, while others were used in an activity with Lower School art teacher (and jam-maker extraordinaire) Mary Mayer, who took grade 1 students through the steps of turning fresh strawberries into delicious strawberry jam. 

The jam will be gifts for their guests at the Lower School Grandparents and Special Friends Day next month. 

“We are so thankful for our partnership with The Ecology Center, and the abundant learning opportunities it offers students right here in San Juan Capistrano,” Lower School Principal Jennifer Blount said. “Through this trip, our grade 1 Tartans were able to serve the St. Margaret’s community while learning more about responsible local farming. It aligns perfectly with their grade-level U.N. sustainable goal.”

The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Goals are urgent calls for action by all countries in a global partnership, and are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by all UN member states in 2015. Other goals involve issues like poverty, education, gender equality and economic growth.

St. Margaret’s uses the UN Sustainable Goals as guideposts for meaningful project-based learning and service learning in the Lower School.