Agroforestry in the School – The Perfect Classroom

Constructionism, Environmental Literacy, and Biotechnology in a School in Brazil

Abstract

This article demonstrates that agroforestry experiences transform relationships, stimulate critical thinking, and strengthen collective responsibility. The implementation of agroforestry at Casa Fundamental has proven to be a cornerstone for education that values students’ connections with natural environments and relies on cultivating the land for holistic development. The projects “Backyard Forest” and “Our Agroforestry is Tech!” illustrate this approach: the former extended learning by bringing agroforestry to a retirement home, creating a productive and accessible environment; the latter mobilized design, technology, and biotechnology knowledge to develop an automated irrigation system, highlighting the interconnection between innovation and natural resource preservation. Investigations into natural patterns – such as fractal geometry and biomimetics – broadened students’ mathematical perception, honed their analytical skills, and demonstrated that scientific inquiry can occur through art, technology, and sustainability.