Spring has officially arrived, meaning that the Botany class here at Eagle High is preparing for their annual plant sale in April and May. The Botany class grows and sells many different types of flowers, succulents, veggies and more every year in the greenhouse behind the school.
Having the yearly plant sale allows for more hands-on learning outside of the classroom. Sitting and taking notes about flower growth and soil moisture for long periods of time isn’t as engaging as growing plants and seeing firsthand how life can be grown. Letting students participate in this activity allows for a “soil-rich” learning environment.
“I think it’s 10x more fun and… I actually get to learn how to plant instead of just watching,” said junior Jessica Parks, who is currently in Botany. “We don’t spend a lot of time in the classroom, which is nice, and you get to choose what you do.”
Botany is the scientific study of plants, where botanists study the physical attributes of plants, their structure, genetics, where they grow and how they evolve. With this hands-on learning approach, the students in teacher Molly Bell’s class get to become the botanists and put their knowledge to use in a fun manner.
According to jobzmall.com, botanist positions are in very high demand currently. There are only about 6,000 botanists in the U.S., but “increased interest in plants and their use in research and industry” has made it so botany is being put into the forefront now more than ever.
The preparation for the anticipated plant sale has had no shortage of problems and challenges that the students had to overcome. With planting in the greenhouse, dirt and mud becomes an accessory to all and the elements pose a challenge.
“The most difficult thing by far was when we went outside, and it was snowing. I had to be out there and work with cold, wet mud instead of dirt,” Parks said. “I also feel like if the plants start to die, then it’s going to be really interesting to see what we do about that.”
The Botany class is a definite ‘must-take’ class for those who benefit from hands on learning. One gets to spend the period outside with their classmates, planting seeds that will later be sold to anyone wanting a pretty flower or delicious vegetable to add to their home garden. Botany is a science credit class and can be taken as either a one semester class, or two semester class. Those who take the class the second semester participate in the planning and preparation of the plant sale.
“If someone wants to take the class, don’t take it if you don’t like dirt. There are kids in our class who hate dirt and I’m like ‘so why did you take the class then,” Parks said. “But it’s going to be really cool to see people buy and be interested in the plants that we’ve been working on.”
