Theory of Knowledge (ToK) is a class that all IB students are required to take their junior and senior year. In ToK, students discuss controversial issues and how those issues affect them in everyday life.

One component of ToK is CAS, or Creativity Action Service hours. Through CAS, students explore how to increase their own strengths while also addressing issues that are on a community level as well as a global one.

“The goal of CAS is for students to recognize that being involved in the community is just as important as academics in life,” said ToK teacher/CAS Coordinator Laurel Maslowski.

Last year, the ToK classes helped with the library Angel Trees and also sold stuffed animals to raise money for an orphanage in Africa.

For their group projects this year, the Senior ToK class has decided to help the Northtown community. Because many of the senior IB students have an interest in the environment they are thinking of helping out through a community garden .

“I wanted to give back to the community and to brighten up Northtown. It is just kind of neat!” senior IB student Kerianne Chen said.

Central Junior High in Lawrence, Kansas already has a community garden that could be used as a model for North Kansas City’s.

Students from Dave Heller’s class (the second of two senior ToK classes) are planning on contacting the school to talk about logistics of planning, building and maintaining a school garden.

“Community and school gardens can provide an active learning environment, and the satisfaction of producing something of value […] as well as a place for after school activities, community involvement, and civic pride,” according to an EPA article on school gardens.

While the decision on how to use the produce from the garden would ultimately be up to the student body, the ToK class is hoping that the vegetables in the garden could be used in the cafeteria or donated to organizations like Harvesters. This could promote healthy eating at Northtown or help out the community.

“The great thing about a project like this is that it can be whatever the students want it to be. If we as a community have the passion and a desire to make something happen, there is nothing this school can’t accomplish,” said Heller.

If you want to help plan out the garden or know of any organizations that would provide grants, you can contact Maslowski or Heller with information.