Students in South Douglas Elementary's garden clubs have been studying pumpkins, parts of plants and seeds, and how farmers grow crops such as corn.
About 60 students participate in the two clubs—Sprout Scouts for grades K-2 and Green Thumbs Club for grades 3-5, according to music educator and school garden coordinator Natalie Murray.
Both clubs meet monthly with rotating stations where students learn about garden topics, create crafts, enjoy edible activities and work in the garden planting and harvesting. As part of a corn lesson, Sprout Scouts recently enjoyed a candy corn popcorn treat.
"The garden is viewed as an 'outdoor classroom' where students can learn about so many things from science applications, such as micro-organisms in the soil, habitat conservation and math applications such as measuring how seeds or plants need to be planted, and so much more!" Murray said.
The clubs also host special guests from the Farm Bureau and Master Gardeners.
"Our garden club is very popular with our students, and they love to do anything and everything in the garden," she said.