Grand Prairie Elementary School greenhouse project

Kindergarten through second grade students are trying out their “green thumbs” as they work with the school’s new greenhouse and gardening project.

The project started last December with a grant for $3,000 from the South Suburban Schools Business Officers organization. The grant went towards raised beds and the greenhouse structure which was erected over Spring Break. The students planted pumpkins and sunflowers in the raised beds in the spring. Much to their delight when they returned to school this fall, their “crops” had grown and were ready to be harvested.

Recently, the school was awarded three grants from Nalco Ecolab that will be used to continue work on the greenhouse project in conjunction with the Next Generation Science Standards. These standards closely align with math and language arts standards found within the new Illinois Learning Standards, also known as the Common Core State Standards.

Grand Prairie Assistant Principal, Mrs. Sharon Nepote, and teacher, Mrs. Brenda Strutzenberg, wrote the grant to enhance the greenhouse effectiveness. Mrs. Nepote stated, “Seeing the students’ enthusiasm as they explored science and math concepts intrigued us to explore additional ways to enhance the greenhouse and gardening experiences at Grand Prairie. We wanted to provide additional opportunities for the students to raise questions, manipulate materials, sort, test, and investigate their natural world.”

Grand Prairie’s greenhouse and gardening project expands the classroom, reconnects students with the natural world, allows children to discover the true source of their food and teaches children the value of gardening and agricultural concepts. The project provides the children with opportunities for authentic, hands-on learning and teachers plan for the integration of several subjects including math, science, art and social studies. Lesson plans include hands-on activities with plants to address standards by grade level.

In addition to the grants awarded from Nalco Ecolab at Grand Prairie in the amount of $4,420, the company also awarded Chelsea Intermediate School three grants for a total of $8,600 and Hickory Creek Middle School three grants for a total of $5,890.