Back in September, Legacy Elementary’s second-grade science teachers received a Frenship Foundation teacher grant to purchase the plant grow cart. Their goal was to improve student learning by fostering hands-on learning in science, and ultimately creating an environment where students learn how to sustain plant life.
The cart rotates throughout the week between Melani Harris, Taylor Pamplin, and Amber Norris’s classrooms, giving each class the opportunity to take ownership of the plants. Each class is growing something different, allowing the students to compare the growing process between plants.
“It has been fun to watch,” said Harris. “All of our plants are growing at different stages depending on the type of plant. The kids love seeing the difference between the bean plants and the lettuce plants. It is a great conversation too, because we talk about how all living things are different and sometimes, we need different things.”
Second grade is covering hands-on learning by following Unit 9: Plant Survival and teaching students how some plants depend on other living things. Using the cart, students are able to identify the roots, stems, flowers, fruits, and seeds of plants in all stages of growth and compare how those structures help different plants meet their basic needs for survival.
Cultivating the plants from seeds to seedlings is just the first phase of this project. The students will get the opportunity to transplant the vegetables into the outdoor garden after the last freeze.
Harris stated that this grow cart funded by the Frenship Foundation has allowed the students to understand how vegetables are produced and encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle as well.
“I believe this project is innovative because it is displaying new methods of planting vegetables in the classroom,” said Harris “This cart will be used year after year to develop seedings in the classroom for all Legacy second graders.”
Harris joined the Legacy team after serving as one of the Agriculture Sciences teachers at Frenship High School. With her background in Agricultural Education, she recognized the value of hands-on learning for students and was excited to incorporate her plant knowledge into the second-grade curriculum.
“I wrote this teacher grant in the summer when I first accepted the job at Legacy,” said Harris. “I have learned this year, that all kids, no matter whether they are 8 or 18, yearn to learn new things! I think hands-on learning is a great way to teach kids new skills that can benefit them in their future.”
With the support of the Frenship Foundation, which provided the funds for this innovative project, second-grade science teachers have witnessed their students develop a greater appreciation for growing plants.
“This opportunity wouldn't be possible without them, and we are so grateful,” said Harris.
Harris and her fellow science teachers are excited to continue their plant projects this year and look forward to cultivating plant science in students for years to come. Thanks to the Frenship Foundation, this project will continue to grow alongside the students, fostering a lifelong passion for learning, science, and the environment.
For more information on Teacher Grants through the Frenship Foundation for Leadership click here.