Bullard Elementary School introduces new greenhouse project for fun and interactive learning

Just outside the back doors of Bullard Elementary School sits an empty, dome-shaped greenhouse. Soon, however, this greenhouse will be filled with vegetables, plants, and new learning opportunities.

Kayla Allen, a teacher in Bullard Elementary School’s gifted and talented program, received a grant to purchase the greenhouse last spring. Beginning this school year, students will utilize the greenhouse to study the plants and vegetables they grow.

“Studies show students who participate in gardening programs at school are more successful and show increases in learning,” Mrs. Allen said. “We'll do activities across grade levels that are appropriate for each grade and in line with our Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).”

One activity Mrs. Allen says students will do in the greenhouse is to raise vegetables and flowers from seeds to study the life cycle of plants. They will also perform experiments along the way using different sun exposures and various fertilizers. Eventually, she hopes to be able to serve some of the vegetables to teachers for a salad luncheon.

Other learning opportunities include partnering with a local business to do a beautification project and creating flower planters for buildings around the district.  

“Although our gifted and talented students will manage the greenhouse, all classes will be encouraged to visit when they study plants in their life cycles,” Mrs. Allen said. “Our goal is to turn our greenhouse program into something bigger and better each school year.”

For more information, please contact Amy Pawlak, Bullard ISD Public Relations Coordinator, at amy.pawlak@bullardisd.net.