Annually The Society of Heads publishes the Observations booklet which is a series of articles from our member schools celebrating a chosen theme. This year the theme matches our Annual Conference theme "Human Flourishing". In the run up to our conference we will publish three of the articles per week.
At Brummana High School, nestled in the refreshing air of Mount Lebanon, educational progress is measured through a holistic approach. Our deeply rooted Quaker ethos urges us, as stewards of the earth, to the light and to growth. This year, our focus is on the transformation of our campus into a living laboratory, and thus, the BHS Botanical Garden is evolving beyond aesthetics to become a powerful interactive hub for learning and community well-being.
The garden aims to demonstrate the connection between nurturing the land and nurturing the human spirit. A way to accomplish this is by making students learn in a living, breathing, interactive classroom.
Our Botanical Garden has been instrumental in creating a hands-on environment that supports varied educational goals. To conserve biodiversity, our garden curator has systematically focused on growing and collecting the area's native trees and plants to ensure the preservation of local flora. A dedicated effort involved coring the school’s "Mother Tree", a pine, to accurately determine its age, connecting students to campus history. In this age of accessible knowledge, our plants have QR codes and name plaques, transforming a simple walk into an immediate learning opportunity. This digital integration is complemented by our weekly social-media feature, "Plant-of-the-Week," which highlights our botanical assets and their unique qualities. The popular Gardening Club has empowered students to become active stewards, developing a sense of ownership and providing them with practical skills.
The garden is designed to have different dedicated sections, each targeting a different method of learning: The Sensory Garden for our Infants’ Section allows the youngest students to experience the textures, scents, sounds, and sights of nature, enhancing cognitive development through all five senses. The Maths Garden provides a unique setting where students can physically interact with geometric shapes, ratios, and patterns found in nature, making abstract mathematical concepts tangible. The Art Garden offers visual inspiration, serving as an outdoor studio where students can explore aesthetics, light, and color. The Desert Biome educates students on adaptation and resilience by showing how desert plants thrive in harsh conditions.
New frontiers of discovery are always sought after. Currently under construction or in the study phase are innovative garden sections, including a maze (labyrinth) designed to encourage quiet contemplation and reflection, aligning perfectly with Quaker practice. Also, a Tropical Biome (to be constructed within a 12x4m heated greenhouse) is under construction to challenge students to understand microclimates and environmental science as they observe how tropical species can flourish at BHS's 750-meter altitude. The ambitious Science Garden is another section in planning, where natural elements will be used to demonstrate concepts like mechanics, energy transfer, and forces.
The BHS Botanical Garden is more than just a collection of plants; it is a profound expression of our commitment to holistic education and stewardship. By tending to the soil, we are cultivating not only future scientists and artists but also responsible global citizens, ensuring the flourishing of both our community and the earth.