Certainly schools and students are extensively involved in restoration plantings. Plantings are popular because they require little training, and they give students a chance to engage the environment, do constructive work, and discover the world as it exists. And to top it off, the endproduct is impressive. Environmental education should be a journey, one that captures our interest and imagination and leaves us with the tools to become effective stewards of the place where we live. Putting the science back in Instead of a one-shot field trip, let your restoration plantings become part of an ongoing course of instruction.
Organisms live in environments.
Their biology, studied within the context of their environment, provides a coherent structure for environmental education. Most plantings don't include studying the site's biology or soils upfront, nor do they provide for longitudinal monitoring after the planting is completed. Adding these elements to your project means you must start your study months in advance of the planting event, and continue for years afterward. A formidable challenge. First, get your facts.