New Experimental Garden to Focus on Environmental Education

Dr. JoAnn McDonald (from left), College of Education associate professor; Dr. Christine Marroquin, ECDC principal; Kathy Killebrew, University President Flavius Killebrew, Bruce Hawn, president of the Earl C. Sams Foundation; Dr. Frank Pezold, dean of the College of Science and Technology; and Dr. Dee Hopkins, dean of the College of Education.

The College of Education held a dedication for its new Experimental Garden for elementary school students Friday, Oct. 12, at the Early Childhood Development Center.
           
Following a brief ceremony, students and teachers began their first experiment by planting three plants that are native to the region along with three that are not. The purpose will be to observe and document the growth patterns of both groups.

The outdoor garden classroom will employ a hands-on, minds-on learning approach for students who will be able to cross-pollinate flowers, use certain nutrients to yield bigger vegetables and conduct other experiments.

The Experimental Garden will focus on environmental education and also engage students in scientific, inquiry-based learning on how plant life is vital to ecosystems in our world. Aspiring teachers will also learn how to create learning experiences beyond their classrooms. The garden, which will emphasize soil experiments, will be the first of three outdoor classrooms. Future outdoor classrooms will focus on air and water.