The Science Department's New Grow Camp

I am pleased to share with all avid gardeners and lovers of the outdoors an exciting addition to our MPA science facilities. Delivered this afternoon from the Gardener's Supply Company (www.gardeners.com) is a new greenhouse that can accommodate dozens of plants of all sorts.

The timing for this is particularly good as the 4th grade is currently studying plants and the 5th grade is learning about ecosystems. Called the "Grow Camp", this sturdy 4'x8' greenhouse is fully collapsible so that it can be moved and stored if necessary. The base is made of rot-proof polypropylene and the plastic cover can be replaced with netting in the summer to let air circulate freely while keeping out pests.

With this new gardening site we now can conduct growth experiments, learning about the effects of pH, fertilizers, moisture levels, etc. on plant growth while also growing healthy vegetables for lessons on nutrition and planning a healthy menu. All we need now are a few enthusiastic volunteers who would like to help with gardening projects and general maintenance of the garden. If you are interested in helping out or have tools or seeds you can donate or share, please let me know. I hope to get the garden together and filled with soil by the middle of the month so we can have fresh lettuce by the end of the school year!

Happy Spring!

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Janeth Eby
Science and Health Educator
Menlo Park Academy
14440 Triskett Road
Cleveland, OH 44111
(440) 478-5556 (cell)

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. - William Butler Yeats