Our MissionPEAS is on a mission is to cultivate joyful connections with the natural world through outdoor learning and edible education.
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Our WorkWe bring hands-on outdoor and culinary learning to students through 33 programs in over 25 elementary schools across Austin. Through outdoor classrooms and pop-up kitchen lessons, students explore science, health, and sustainability while building confidence, life skills and a deeper connection to food and the natural world.
Gardening, edible education, and outdoor learning provide authentic, hands-on experiences that engage students in self-directed, applied learning across subjects including science, math, social studies, language arts, health, PE, and the arts. Through growing, preparing, and sharing healthy, organic food, students not only build academic skills but also develop lifelong habits that promote well-being and healthy living. Our programs foster respect for the natural world and support social-emotional learning by enhancing self-esteem, increasing school engagement, and nurturing a sense of empowerment. Creative outdoor spaces inspire imaginative learning and exploration. We are committed to culturally responsive pedagogy and equitable access, and we collaborate with teachers, school staff, families, and community partners to build strong support networks that deepen place-based ecological stewardship and connection. Beyond the outdoor and kitchen classrooms, we offer summer camps, steward a community farm, and support educators with consulting and innovative educational resource tools. |
Our ApproachWhat makes PEAS different from most enrichment programs is how we work. Rather than pulling students out of class or relying on after-school participation, we partner directly with schools to integrate our lessons into the school day. That means every student, regardless of family schedule, transportation, or economic circumstance, receives the same enriching experience.
We currently work with 25 partner schools and reach over 3,000 students and adults each year, underwriting 90% of program costs for schools serving families facing economic hardship. |
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What is nature-based outdoor education?Nature-based outdoor learning is an approach to education that uses the natural world (gardens, green schoolyards, wildlife habitats, and outdoor classrooms) as the primary setting for children's growth and development. Rooted in the understanding that humans have always learned from the world around them, this approach recognizes that good teaching in natural environments supports children cognitively, physically, and socially. Research shows that regular time in nature can enhance brain development, improve academic performance, build emotional resilience, reduce stress, and foster the kind of curiosity and collaboration that prepares children to become engaged, thoughtful citizens.
The early years of a child's life are among the most formative and nature is one of the most powerful tools available. When children are given meaningful, repeated experiences outdoors, they begin to develop an ecological identity: a deep sense of connection to the living world around them. They learn to ask questions, care for other living things, and see themselves as part of something larger. These early experiences have been shown to predict environmental citizenship and a commitment to stewardship well into adulthood. |
What is edible education?Edible education is a seed-to-table approach to learning that connects children directly to how food systems work, from planting and tending in the garden to harvesting, preparing, and sharing a meal. It is, at its core, whole-child development in action. Hands-on cooking activities help children develop pride and confidence in their skills and abilities, encourage self-direction and independence, and teach them to follow directions and use critical thinking to problem-solve. When children follow a recipe, they must analyze steps, measure ingredients, and make decisions along the way, and when faced with challenges, they learn to problem-solve in real time, fostering resilience and adaptability. Cooking also inspires curiosity and offers authentic opportunities for students to apply their knowledge of measuring, numbers, and one-to-one correspondence, making the kitchen one of the most natural STEM classrooms available.
The impact of edible education extends far beyond a single lesson or meal. Childhood is a critical window for establishing healthy lifelong eating habits and dietary behaviors that often continue into adolescence and adulthood. Edible education plants that seed early! Children who cook are more willing to try foods they help prepare, eat from a wider variety of food groups, and develop a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence that extends to other areas of their lives. When children grow their food, prepare it with their own hands, and share it with others, they learn where food comes from AND they learn who they are capable of becoming. |
