At Thursday's (May 4) Rocky View School Board meeting, the trustees had a special presentation from a group of fourth graders from Nose Creek School.

The students were at the meeting to explain Project G.R.O.W., which has been happening at the school since 2009.

"It stands for Gardens Replenish Our World," said teacher Wendy Dixon, "Basically it's a bunch of grade 4 students trying to meet their science curriculum which includes plants and their growth."

Every year, approximately one hundred grade 4 students as well as teachers and parents visit Dixon's farm to tend and harvest potatoes on one acre plots. Dixon said the unique science classes give students a firm grasp on the concepts they're learning.

"No matter what curriculum you're teaching, the more hands on it can be, and kind of project driven, most students retain it far better."

Each of the seven students at the RVS meeting was incredibly well versed and eloquent on the subject of potato farming, presenting without the help of notes.

Aside from science, the project is also meant to teach the students collaboration, one of the school's 21st century goals. Once the potatoes are grown and harvested, they are donated to the Airdrie Food Bank. Students help deliver the potatoes to the Food Bank, where they get a tour of the facility and learn what it does for the community. Dixon estimated that they deliver around 1500lbs of potatoes each year. The whole experience gives the students an early taste of community involvement.

"Often people think - sometimes even schools do this - you know, we think, students, until they get into later junior high age, that's when the kids are really able to start making a difference, but people really underestimate students."

Come the end of the year, the grade four class will plant more potatoes, which will be harvested next fall by the current grade threes.

 

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