The Problem
Our Urban Greenhouse Club is continuing to improve the school environment by planting Indiana Native plants in the courtyard. This project is beginning to make a significant difference to the biodiversity of the school. Pollinators and butterflies are being attracted to the urban environment, creating a positive impact on the daily lives of the students. This project is bringing environmental awareness to middle school children and allowing students to experience nature that they might not be exposed to in their own homes. By providing this project it is educating the students about native plants to take that knowledge and use it in their daily lives. In our spring project, we would love to extend the planting of the native flowers and bring more biodiversity to the school environment. Additional planting will also bring further learning experiences for the children. Children are encouraged to be active members of the school club by selecting, planting and caring for native species, we also have a partnership with Sycamore Land Trust which gives the children opportunities to speak and interact with knowledgeable environmentalists. Students are also able to transfer knowledge from the projects and apply and extend to their real life experiences. Many students grow starter plants from the original plant seeds in the greenhouse and transfer the plants in the summer to their own gardens at home.
