JOPLIN, Mo. — Spring is a season of new life and of learning about the wonders of nature.
Students at St. Mary’s Elementary School were hard at work today, making room for new life in the school garden. They spent today’s science class weeding and pruning the Missouri-native plants so they can bloom in the coming months.
Science teacher Debi Staton says, it’s a chance to connect classroom lessons with real-world impact.
“I really enjoy being outside with the kids, and letting them understand how they’re an important part in the environment, and how they play a role, and how important it is for them to take care of the Earth,” said Staton.
“I think just being able to experience nature is just a really big privilege for everyone, I think,” said June Heisten, St. Mary’s 5th Grader.
“Nature, being in it is beautiful, the calm of it. And then we can get so distracted, but if you just work with that calm, the green, having a green thumb, you can be so much happier. You can have all of that,” said Michael Eronmwon, St. Mary’s 5th Grader.
Inside the classroom, Staton’s students have created “eco-columns”. Along with plants like mustard, rye, and alfalfa, they’re also caring for snails, fish, crickets, and roly-polys.
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