Outdoor Learning Grows with Greenhouse at Overall Creek

Overall Creek Elementary now boast two greenhouses thanks to a grant from State Farm. The greenhouses purchased with funds from State Farm’s Community Assist Program provide additional outdoor learning environments for students.

Students will experience hands-on activities and interact with nature. Teachers will expand their lessons using plants and gardens as contexts for students to develop a richer understanding of the world around them.

“Outdoor learning environments provide wonderful resources to teach and learn content standards for STEAM – plant growth, life cycles, data collection and even engineering,” says Don Bartch, Principal. “Gardening allows students to learn about basic plant structure and life cycles with a hands-on perspective.”

The greenhouses of Overall Creek complement the Farm to School program at Murfreesboro City Schools. Farm to School helps students understand where their food comes from and how their food choices impact their bodies, the environment and the community.

Additionally, through a program called Flowering Wishes, Overall Creek students will serve the elderly in the community by delivering plants to long-term care facilities for the enjoyment of residents.  This gift of flowers will produce cross-generational learning and link students to the philosophy of charitable giving.

Discovery, Cason Lane Academy and Hobgood Elementary currently have working greenhouses. Future greenhouse sites include Northfield and Erma Siegel Elementary.

Greenhouses allow students to learn about the growing process in a protected and secure environment. This year-round education gives students a better understanding of the agricultural processes. The greenhouse is equipped with a solar exhaust fan to allow for the best environment for the plants and student interaction.