Zachary Lane students showcase GrowLab partnership with U of M master gardeners

At the start of the June 3 meeting, Zachary Lane Elementary Principal Phelps and a group of K-5 students told the Robbinsdale board about the school's GrowLab (Junior Master Gardener) program.

Principal Phelps described partnerships with Hennepin County and University of Minnesota Master Gardeners and grants from the 7 Dreams organization that funded raised beds, a pollination and sensory garden, and outdoor classroom benches built as Eagle Scout projects. He said fifth graders receive STEM partnerships with Northrop Grumman and fourth graders partnered with Daikin.

Four students took the microphone to describe why they volunteer during recess to work in the gardens. Second-grader Bridal said, "Fruits and vegetables are very important to the Earth" and that the GrowLab teaches "what plants need and what they don't." Third-grader Kayson said, "they grow plants, and me and my mom and my whole family likes plants, and they also help the earth." Principal Phelps and Superintendent Dr. Stallo presented certificates and invited the board to visit the gardens.

Why it matters: board members said the program supports multiple strategic priorities including academic achievement, student engagement and partnerships, and praised the cross-collaboration between schools, local businesses and volunteer gardeners.

Ending: The students gave board members packets of forget-me-not seeds and invited them to plant and return with photos of blooms to share with Zachary Lane.