The Garden Project:
To learn more about ecology and how organisms and plants interact, we are created our own garden by the STEM Solar Studio (see Freshman year project). Below you will find our Garden Proposal:
To learn more about ecology and how organisms and plants interact, we are created our own garden by the STEM Solar Studio (see Freshman year project). Below you will find our Garden Proposal:
Here is our garden the day we planted:
As the inaugural class of San Marin STEM, we again are the trailblazers on this garden project. Most of the project revolved around planning in order to incorporate symbiotic relationships and make sure the soil was filled with the necessary nutrients. Our garden consisted of three to four plants per plot. Mine had three plants. For next year's STEM class, I would suggest starting this project earlier. We started the sheet mulching but did not leave enough time to let it settle and the cardboard to decompose. In the end, it was ineffective. I believe soil would be more beneficial to the garden. Even though it is expensive, it will lead to a successful garden. In terms of plants, we need a greater variety of plants. In our plot, we had lavender and poppy seeds, which will both spread. Because this is an educational garden, a variety of plants will enhance the learning experience. Maybe including some flowers or mint that attract bees would be positive. Hopefully in the future we can grow a vegetable garden that can provide for the cafeteria. In terms of aesthetics, our garden needs major improvement. The giant pile of wood chips in the middle of the garden looks unorganized. Also, we could add stepping stones, benches, and window boxes for flowers on the solar house in order for the student population to appreciate these facilities and ease their hatred towards STEM. A fence might be necessary to ward off the deer, even if the plants are deer resistant. Finally, we need to add labels in the future in order to publicly display the educational purposes of the garden. On Saturdays, when young families are out for a walk, the little kids can play in the garden and learn about the plants around them. For example, if we planted marigolds, we could make a placard that talks about how the flowers attract bees because bees need the nectar for food and the pollen for protein. This is the major reason why bees have a major role in pollination. All in all, the possibilities for this garden as a beneficial, beautiful, and educational place are endless.