The first steps on agricultural education in Turkish elementary schools: The school garden project

In this study, we aimed at revealing the alterations in the agricultural knowledge of students that have occurred by means of the "School Garden Project" which had been conducted to accomplish 5 targets that were determined in the scope of an agriculture course program held in Turkey. The application was made in 5 months' time between February and June in the spring semester of the academic year 2007-2008. We have followed the steps of a model named "RAST (Researchers, Administer, Student, Teacher) Model" developed by researchers with the aim of conducting the School Garden Project. The sample of the study consisted of twenty-four 6th grade students intentionally choosing agriculture course in Trabzon in Turkey. During the application, the 24 students were divided into 6 groups of 4 students each, and a representative was chosen for each group. In order to collect data in the research, interviews have been made with students both before and after the application. Also, observations have been made by researchers during the application. The project has generally made alterations in the desired level of all the targets; and suggestions have been made in this direction.