West Linn High School

Permaculture Syllabus

Instructor Information

Class Description

Permaculture is a design process. Permaculture will provide students with an opportunity to learn about science and engineering through permanent agriculture.  Students will observe energy flow through nature observation and build systems that replicate natures complexity and benefit humans.  Students will learn to stack functions and engineer solutions to a site-specific location and problems.  This class is designed to be either physical or a life science depending on the needs of the individual student.  The final project for the student will be designed around this need.  Each semester will be different based on seasonal availability.

Expectations and Goals

Be present and dressed appropriately for class activities.  This is a hands-on-class.  Students will learn how to solve complex issues through application and engineering. Come to class prepared to work both in the class and outside of the class. There will be a lot of group work and interaction between students. Keep an extra pair of shoes/work shirt with you to use outside. We will be collecting plants, weeding, and working in the greenhouse.

Class Rules

Be respectful of the teacher, themselves, classmates, guests, and of school property.

Be responsible by coming to class prepared and on time with proper materials and a good attitude.

Be safe because we will be doing labs, group activities, among other things that require everyone to cooperate and be attentive.

Put forth your best effort towards all class activities, assignments, assessments, readings, etc…

Topics

                Observation

                Connection

                Energy

                Engineering

                Conservation

                Efficiency

Collaboration

Skills we will develop:

Weeding, collect seeds, clean seeds, store seeds,

plant propagation from cuttings: woody vs perennial,

division of plants, woody cuttings, planting from seeds,

transplanting (potting up), perennial/annual storage and seeds

Grading: Grading will be based on the following percentages & using Category Weights.