Giving Compass' Take:

• Education Dive cites examples of schools creating project-based learning plans from gardens, which not only gives students rich experiences, but also benefits districts and communities.

• From nutrition to biology, there's plenty of lessons to acquire from green spaces. How can organizations in the education sector expand and scale programs like the ones described in this piece?

• Here's how outdoor education in general inspires environmental STEM learning.

A school garden project can teach students about science subjects from nutrition to composting, while also providing a space that the entire student body can enjoy anytime. Using project-based approaches to tie curriculum to a real-world outcome is taking root at schools nationwide.

In Akron, Ohio, students at the National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM Middle School built a new tween space in their local library as part of a project-based learning assignment. The STEM lesson did more than teach students about how to use technology and software: They also got a new space to hang out after school and on weekends.

The Edible Schoolyard Project at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, Calif., teaches students how to grow greens and vegetables while also weaving in literature, biology, history and social justice lessons. Plus, students get to eat the fruits of their labor. Project-based learning experiences not only impart real-world lessons, but with some creative forethought, they can bring some tangible benefit to schools and districts.

Read the full article about how gardens provide students with hands-on experiences by Lauren Barack at Education Dive.