An Analysis of Current Status and Needs for Developing Educational and Experiential Content at Eco-Cycle School Farms Mainly Concerning Elementary School Teachers

In this study, a questionnaire survey was conducted with elementary school teachers and administrative staff to explore the requirements for developing educational and experiential content at eco-cycle school farms. A total of 396 educational staff members, both male and female, from across the nation responded to the survey, which assessed the current operational status of school gardens and the need for eco-cycle content linked to school farms. Among the 323 teachers (81.6%) who participated, 133 (41.2%) were operating gardens, while 190 (58.8%) were not. The primary reason for non-operation was a “lack of space” (50.5%). The main goal of operating gardens was “ecological environment education” (57.9%), and the individuals most commonly responsible for management and operation were “students and teachers of each grade” (59.4%). Currently, school gardens are mainly operated in the form of “open fields (flower beds),” although teachers anticipate the emergence of more diverse forms, such as boxes and indoor gardens, in the future. Additionally, the gardens currently in operation tend to rely on low budgets ranging from KRW 300,000 to 600,000; in contrast, teachers believe that budgets between KRW 600,000 and KRW 1,000,000 would be more appropriate. The items indicating the highest demand for eco-cycle education content related to school farms included “education on energy conservation and low-carbon, environmentally friendly consumption” (4.66±0.62) and “resource circulation” (4.64±0.63). Thus, this study highlights a genuine interest in eco-cycle education and its practical necessity within the educational field. It also suggests that the development of such educational content may align with the educational objective of expanding garden operations into areas of ecological education, environmental awareness education, and career experience, beyond mere cultivation activities.