Learning By Doing -- Together

What do you get when you combine 240 primary school students and 36 vocational school students with trees, benches and dirt?  Thanks to a grant from The Piqua Community Foundation, the answer is “plenty!” 

Springcreek Primary School principal, Molly Hay, received a Youth Enrichment Activities Grant in November 2008 to develop a land lab on the grounds of Springcreek School.  The project allowed Springcreek students to have hands-on experience with many of the topics from their earth, life and physical science curriculum, and to have fun at the same time.  Students from the Upper Valley Joint Vocational School’s landscape management class, along with their instructor, Mark Casto, helped to design and develop plans for the land lab beginning with the reception of the grant last fall.

In the spring, students from both schools cleaned up the property and planted trees and other plants according to the plan they designed.  JVS students helped teach the Springcreek students about the specific species being planted, as well as the correct way to plant them.  Benches built by the older students will be installed and top soil delivered and spread prior to the dedication of the Land Lab this fall.

While the project was designed to benefit the Springcreek School students and grounds, it became a great learning experience for the JVS students as well.  Rather than just learning about landscape design and management, they were able to implement the plan from start to finish and to pass on their knowledge and enjoyment of nature to the younger students.

Ms. Hay expressed thanks to the Foundation and to the JVS students for being part of this enrichment activity for her students. The Land Lab will be an asset to current and future students and the school community for years to come.

"Providing your opportunity to enrich our community"