Elementary students in Dickinson ISD will be growing vegetables at school for families in need, while getting hands-on experience with science, math and environmental sustainability. The Dickinson ISD Education Foundation was recently awarded a 2010 DOW Community Gives Grant for $5,000 to fund the "DISD Gardening and Giving Project" at all six elementary campuses.

 

The campuses will participate in the gardening project to grow various vegetables this fall and in the spring, which will be donated to needy families in the area through the assistance of the Dickinson ISD social workers and M.I. Lewis Social Service Center.

 

The project will offer teachers several ways to relate the different jobs involved in growing the vegetables back to topics taught in the classroom. Depending the grade level of the students, there will be different tasks involved and different objects for students to implement and learn. Activities will include preparing planting areas, measuring, weighing, journaling, making estimates, planting, using various garden tools, watering, ensuring proper sunlight and protection from the elements, harvesting, storing, transporting and finally distribution of various vegetables. A special harvest celebration is planned at the end of the project.