Research & reports

Talitha Hilmi Zahara · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global

This literature review evaluated Project-Based Learning (PjBL) as an instructional strategy for fostering critical thinking skills in elementary school students. The study found that PjBL aligns with elementary students' cognitive development, offering opportunities for learning through real interaction and problem-solving. Empirical studies suggest PjBL is more effective than traditional methods in enhancing critical thinking, though challenges like limited teacher resources and time constraints need addressing.

David Caballero Franco, Judith Martín Lucas, Parra Nieto, Gabriel · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Spain (Salamanca)

This work describes the Community School Gardens Network (HecoUSAL) project, a Service-Learning program launched in 2013 at the University of Salamanca, Spain. The program aims to improve university education quality, strengthen social commitment, expand sustainability culture, and develop sustainability skills among students. It proposes new teaching-learning models that integrate sustainability skills through multi-sensory, nature-based educational experiences within school environments.

Eduardo Fernandes Martinello, Wanderley de Jesus Souza, José Virtuoso · REMEA - Revista Eletrônica do Mestrado em Educação Ambiental · Brazil

This article presents a successful experience in Araranguá, Santa Catarina, Brazil, where environmental education and popular extension movements facilitated the conversion of an underutilized urban space into a community garden. The garden produces food for people experiencing food vulnerability, and the experience demonstrated community engagement and knowledge construction by learners.

Andrade, Roseleide Dantas · A Revista Agroambiente On-line (Universidade Federal de Roraima, UFRR) · Brazil (Fortaleza)

This experience report reflects on visits to the EMEIEF Paulo Sarasate School in Fortaleza, Brazil, as part of the Youth and Adult Education (EJA) discipline at the State University of Ceará. Observations included a community garden and projects like an antiracist initiative and the Florescer Project for women. Discussions with pedagogical coordination highlighted challenges such as dropout and resource scarcity, but also recognized EJA's role in inclusion, self-esteem, and social transformation.

T. I. (Teungku) Darwis, R. (Renny) Nurhasana, C. (Chotib) Chotib, E. P. (Eurika) Andita · Neliti · Indonesia (Jakarta)

Unplanned urban growth in Jakarta has hindered social interaction and fostered individualism due to an imbalance in facilities, distance, and population. This paper proposes urban agriculture as an effective means to create new spaces for social interaction. By establishing an urban agricultural plot at TPA Ikhlasul Machfudz in South Jakarta and conducting community service and empowerment activities, the project successfully created a new interaction space for local residents, allowing participants to engage in productive activities and social interaction.

Francesca Gotti, Yona Catrina Schreyer · field · Italy (Bergamo)

This essay describes two alternative spatial practices implemented in Bergamo, Italy: "Software-ing Spaces," a living-designing-building residency in a former monastery, and "Seeds Under the Snow," an experimental laboratory for knowledge exchange and innovative methods within Bergamo's social gardens. Both projects aim to challenge systemic procedures in the construction sector and develop spatial ideas based on empathy, synchronizing place, resources, users, and builders.

Parul Mehra, Shriram Mahadev Mhaske, Shubham Singh Patel, Shikha Jain · International Journal of Research in Agronomy · Global

Microgreens are a horticultural product cultivated from various vegetable, herb, and wild herb seeds, grown in diverse conditions including urban agricultural settings. They are noted for higher concentrations of bioactive elements compared to mature plants, but their health benefits are still under dispute. A major concern is their rapid deterioration and short shelf life, which can be partially resolved by methods like controlling storage temperature and atmospheric conditions.

Hoyos Zuñiga, Elder Arnubio, Mena Gómez, Ana Cecilia · Dialnet (Universidad de la Rioja) · Colombia

This study examined the presence, transmission, and perceived relevance of ancestral culinary practices among 6th–7th grade students at the Agricultural Educational Institution of Argelia, Cauca, Colombia, and their influence on eating habits. A qualitative, descriptive design using semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and documentary review was employed. Findings indicated that students recognize traditional staples but reported low frequency of home preparation and limited availability at school kiosks.

Riska Oktavia, Ahmad Faqih, Agus Riyadi · Jurnal SOLMA · Indonesia (Semarang)

This program aimed to empower PKK women through urban farming in RT/RW 01/05, Rejosari Village, Semarang. The method involved socialization, training, direct assistance, and monitoring of urban farming practices. Participants cultivated various plants, including chili, eggplant, sweet potato, and melon, utilizing the produce for communal gardens and their homes. The program proved effective in improving family welfare in Rejosari Village.

Abiola Adebunmi Olarinre · International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science · Nigeria

This research surveyed 240 households in Osogbo, Ile-Ife, and Ilesa cities in Osun State, Nigeria, to analyze urban household food security and coping mechanisms. Findings showed that only 17.9% of households achieved food security, with 39.6% experiencing moderate and 16.3% severe food insecurity. Household income, education, household size, credit access, and food expenditure share significantly influenced food security.

Şeyma Ulukök Yıldırım, Duygu Sönmez · · Global

This study aimed to analyze academic publications focusing on school gardens in science education using bibliometric methods. It included 128 articles from the Web of Science database, conducting descriptive and network analyses with VOSviewer software. Findings revealed that research on school gardens has experienced a fluctuating increase over the past decade, with Environmental Education Research being the journal with the most publications and the United States the country with the most studies published.

Hairi Firmansyah, Petrus Suse Kobesi, Mariani, Windi Bunga Devita, Nurmelati Septiana · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global

This study analyzed the effectiveness of urban farming content on YouTube in changing the younger generation's perception of urban farming, using a descriptive quantitative approach with primary data collected via questionnaires. Findings showed practical farming tutorials were the most popular content (49%), and the cognitive dimension had the highest average score (3.44), indicating increased understanding of urban farming concepts and techniques. The behavioral intention dimension was second highest (3.34), with the intention to grow vegetables at home scoring highest (3.85), while the affective dimension (3.24) suggested emotional and motivational aspects need strengthening.

Mi-Ri Jun · The Journal of the Korea Contents Association · South Korea

This study analyzed the 'Potted Tomato Experiential Learning Group' program, applying Kolb's experiential learning theory and an SNS-based collaborative learning model. 700 elementary, middle, and high school students in Gyeonggi Province used tomato cultivation kits and online content to share their cultivation process and learning experiences on Instagram. Communication via SNS facilitated real-time feedback, information sharing, and peer interaction, which increased learning motivation and participation.

Ana Claudia Ribeiro Pinheiro, Miriã Aparecida Fidelis da Silva, Érica Coelho Pagel · Revista Latino-americana de Ambiente Construído & Sustentabilidade · Global

This qualitative study aimed to understand school communities' perceptions of green areas, particularly gardens, to develop didactic school garden designs. Through questionnaires and extension activities, the project created landscape design proposals. It found that while schools recognize the importance of greenery, they face challenges, and creative, collaborative solutions can make didactic gardens feasible.

Avisema Sigit Saputro, Sumarmi Sumarmi · Jurnal SOLMA · Indonesia (Surakarta)

A community service activity on floating raft hydroponics was conducted in Pundung Gede, Surakarta, Indonesia, on August 17, 2024, with 15 PKK mothers. The initiative aimed to educate residents on urban farming methods to utilize limited urban land for vegetable cultivation, addressing their unfamiliarity with floating raft hydroponics. The activity successfully enabled many participants to understand and practice floating raft cultivation at home.

Nana Kariada Tri Martuti, Muh Sholeh, Rossi Prabowo, Inaya Sari Melati · ABDIMAS UNWAHAS · Indonesia (Semarang)

In Tambakrejo Village, Semarang City, Indonesia, a challenge exists due to the low human resource capacity in managing integrated urban farming. This program aims to enhance partners' capacity to develop an integrated farming system combining urban farming and aquaculture. As a result of the activities, the Tambakrejo farmer group received facilities such as rainwater harvesting installations, vertical gardens, various vegetable seeds, and compost, along with training on strengthening farmer group institutions and technological innovation in vegetable and fish cultivation through aquaponics.

Valarie Blue Bird Jernigan, Tori Taniguchi, Kaylee R Clyma, Kristina Gabriel, Jessica Reese, Ying Zhang, Susan B. Sisson, Tara L. Maudrie, Jann Hayman · AJE Advances Research in Epidemiology · United States

The Go Healthy Study is a community-based participatory research study designing a 16-week randomized, wait-list controlled trial for approximately 400 Native American adults in the Osage Nation with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. The intervention includes weekly produce boxes, a healthy eating and traditional foods curriculum, cooking demonstration videos, and a kitchen starter kit. Primary outcomes are to improve systolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and to increase fruit and vegetable intake.

Megah Stefani, Bunga Cahya Putri, Wardina Humayrah · Community Empowerment · Indonesia (Jakarta)

This community service program at RPTRA Rasamala, South Jakarta, aimed to improve planting literacy and food production efficiency using mini-greenhouse optimization. Employing a participatory approach with Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and Just-In-Time (JIT) techniques, the program reduced seedling growth time from 14 to 10 days, increased the production cycle by 38%, and cut water and fertilizer usage by 30%. Participants also gained technical understanding of organic planting media and harvest utilization for family nutrition.

Kadri Maikov · Vytautas Magnus University · Europe

The Nordplus project "Healing greenery" has fostered interdisciplinary collaboration since 2018, bringing together international students and lecturers to design healing green spaces. Educational projects serve as a research foundation to raise awareness of environmental risks and the importance of green spaces for mental health, addressing the new generation's disconnect from nature. Participants in annual projects (2021-2024, 19-26 participants each year) highlighted environmental risks including insufficient green spaces and limited awareness of nature’s impact on health.

Natália Abdul Khalek Mendonça · Revista Brasileira de Educação Ambiental (RevBEA) · South America

This article explores the potential of a school garden where students engaged with the indigenous concept of Tekoha, focusing on ethnic-racial and environmental education. It analyzes how experiences with alterity, activated by an encounter with Guarani-Kaiowa culture, contribute to initiating "ecological paths" and fostering an understanding of Earth as a participant, not merely a scenario for human actions. Pedagogical practices aimed to challenge stereotypes about indigenous people and cultivate skills in care and diversity.

Muhammad Kaulan Karima, Erni Erni, Annisa Fitria, Annisa Rahayu, Hikmah Apriasih Riswanti, Njuah Mayatih Lumban Gaol, Siti Sundari Jaya Ningrat, Syalinni Kemala Nur, Salsa Islami Pashya · Jurnal Riset Sosial Humaniora dan Pendidikan · Indonesia

A qualitative study at State Elementary School 2 Metro Timur, Indonesia, explored the use of the surrounding environment as a Social Studies learning resource. While school gardens and community activities were found to be contextual and meaningful, obstacles included time constraints, unpredictable weather, poor student coordination, and limited facilities. The study suggests that environment-based learning has the potential to improve conceptual understanding and social skills, but faces significant limitations.

Apri Kuntariningsih, Andhy Supriyadi · Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat dan Riset Pendidikan · Indonesia (Semarang)

A community service program implemented in Bendan Ngisor Village, Semarang City, Indonesia, aimed to enhance food security, reduce organic waste, and create new economic opportunities through hydroponic urban farming and eco-enzyme utilization. The program demonstrated increased knowledge and skills among residents in waste management and food cultivation on limited land, supporting sustainable household economies. The integration of hydroponics and eco-enzymes proved to be an effective solution for urban food and environmental issues.

Paim, Vitória Angela, Theves, Denise Wildner · Lume (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul) · Brazil

This study presents a proposal where elementary school children in Canoas, Brazil, were invited to create a collective experiential map of a community garden space after visiting it. Through an ethnographic study, the activity mobilized children's experiences and authorship, confirming that children's spatiality transcends the classroom and gives multiple meanings to geographical knowledge. The collective map construction demonstrates that children translate their spatial experiences into the constitution of their geographical plenitude.

María Sofía Herrera-Oesterheld, Sonia Reyes‐Paecke, Alejandra E. Muñoz, Paul Amouroux, Catalina Trujillo, José Tomás Ibarra · Scientific Reports · Chile (Santiago)

A study analyzed plant and invertebrate species richness and influencing social-ecological filters in 33 vegetable gardens in municipal schools within the Metropolitan Area of Santiago (MAS), Chile. A total of 362 plant species and 127 invertebrate morphospecies were recorded. The most influential social-ecological filters for plant richness were garden area, percentage of cultivated ground cover, and summer irrigation. For invertebrate richness, the most influential factors were plant species richness, bare ground cover (with a negative effect), and to a lesser extent, tree cover in the garden's buffer zone and summer irrigation.

Ivana Blešić, Tamara Gajić, Татjana Pivac, Milka Bubalo Živković · Ekonomika poljoprivrede · Serbia

This study collected data from 473 residents in three cities in Vojvodina, Serbia, using a structured survey to examine factors influencing urban gardening intentions. It found that all motivational factors significantly predicted intention, with psychological well-being being the strongest predictor, followed by healthy food, physical well-being, community engagement, and economic benefits. Women showed higher intentions than men, while younger adults (18–24) were less motivated to engage in urban gardening.