Eaton Elementary students showcase pumpkin patch STEM project at school board meeting

Joe Bell, principal of Eaton Elementary, and teachers Jennifer Gaskins and (Mrs.) Attwood brought first graders to the board meeting to present the Eaton Nature Lab and a pumpkin patch project intended to teach math, English language arts and science standards through hands‑on work. Teachers described the project timeline: students started pumpkin seedlings at home early in the school year, introduced pumpkin life‑cycle lessons in class, planted seedlings in the school’s patch, took measurements and recorded observations. Students measured vine lengths, counted and dried seeds for spring planting, and experimented with buoyancy to test whether a pumpkin would sink or float. Staff said the first season yielded a few small pumpkins but that an early hard freeze destroyed most plants; teachers told students this outcome was part of the life cycle lesson and that they plan to restart planting in spring so the patch can be ready for use next fall. Principal Joe Bell encouraged board members to ask the students about their data collection and thanked the board for the opportunity to share. The presentation emphasized hands‑on learning, cross‑grade mentorship — third graders mentored kindergarten students this year — and plans to maintain the Nature Lab as an outdoor STEM resource.