Greater Newark Conservancy - Living Laboratories

What is a Living Laboratory?

A Living Laboratory is an outdoor classroom where students learn through actual hands-on experiences. In creating the Living Laboratory, students, parents and teachers work together to transform an abandoned city lot or underutilized plot of land into an oasis for learning and recreation.

What Does the Conservancy Provide?

The Conservancy provides committed schools with construction and plant materials, equipment, tools, and technical guidance to help them make their dream a reality. In addition, the Conservancy trains the teachers how to utilize their Living Laboratory, and accomplish the objectives of their daily curriculum. As teachers and students grow vegetables, test soil and compost, they gain insight into interdependence of ecosystems and relate local environmental and meteorological conditions to their experience outdoors.

To ensure the success of the project, the Conservancy continues to provide full support, as needed, to all teachers and parents involved, and gives a variety of curricular materials to assist them in planning innovative lessons.

Beyond the Living Lab

Students at participating schools are exposed to careers in the natural sciences including horticulture, botany and biology. As a part of the project, professionals in relevant fields are invited to schools to speak with students about their careers and the skills and training necessary for students to pursue such a career. In addition, these scientists and environmentalists will speak to the students about how the activities in the Living laboratories will help prepare them for similar careers in the future.