CitySprouts to honor Karen Worth at Dig It! 2018

CitySprouts will present their 2018 Environmental & Community Impact Award to science educator Karen Worth at a ceremony on May 9th, held at the Shire in Kendall Square, Cambridge. “Karen’s expertise and experience in children’s science education, and particularly for early childhood, echoes the foundational elements of CitySprouts’ vision. We are thrilled to be honoring her work with CitySprouts’ award this year,” said CitySprouts board president Dr. Jeff Perrin.

Karen Worth is a leader in early childhood and elementary science education in the Boston area and nationally, inspiring hundreds of teachers to engage with children in meaningful scientific exploration in and outside of the classroom. Karen was a pioneer in developing and publishing science curriculum materials for early childhood and elementary classrooms. She was part of the development team for the National Science Education Standards, chairing the Working Group on Science Teaching Standards. Currently, Karen teaches elementary education and science education at Wheelock College. An important part of her work is developing teacher skills in using language in science as a critical tool for scientific reasoning.

CitySprouts school garden program in Boston and Cambridge schools is building on the work of Karen and her colleague Jeff Winokur with a science learning initiative for early education teachers in the school garden. The year-long training introduces teachers to a joyful approach to standards-based teaching through engaging, hands-on science inquiry that also includes “minds-on” components of discussion and recording.

“The schoolyard garden is a tremendous way for children to discover their world. We are so fortunate to have the work of Karen and Jeff to ground this fundamental learning in solid scientific inquiry,” said CitySprouts Executive Director Jane Hirschi.

Karen Worth will be honored at Dig It! 2018 on May 9th at Shire, 650 E Kendall St. in Cambridge. Tickets and event information can be found at www.citysprouts.org.

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The CitySprouts mission is to develop, implement and maintain beautiful, resource-rich school gardens in collaboration with public school communities. Integrated into the curriculum, CitySprouts gardens inspire teachers, students, and families with a deep, hands-on connection to the food cycle, sustainable agriculture, and the natural environment. CitySprouts program provides garden-based learning to 23 public schools in Boston and Cambridge.