Sprouts consists of native and non-native plants and animals, a compost system, a pond ecosystem and chickens housed in a palatial coop designed and built by Mick Scott (STEM coordinator), Doug Finkel (Woodshop teacher), and our students. The chickens are now laying eggs which have been shared with members of the St. Paul's community.
St. Paul's Summer Camp hosted campers who weeded, watered, harvested and cared for the chickens. Bridges campers participated in weekly workshops where they explored the garden. Fresh produce and eggs have been shared with members of the St. Paul's community. In addition, we have made a number of donations of produce to the Manna House, a food kitchen in Baltimore City.
Recently, we have partnered with a mechanical engineering class at Johns Hopkins University. The engineering students will be asked to design and build a smart rain barrel which will use sensors to determine the moisture level of soil and release water when the moisture level is deemed too low. We are looking forward to testing the projects that the Hopkins students create for our space!
Sprouts garden is growing with the students at St. Paul's! A Kindergarten through grade twelve curriculum was written this summer so all divisions of the community can utilize the space for experiential learning opportunities, If you are interested in volunteering to help care for the garden and/or the chickens, please contact Nancy Dimitriades at ndimitriades@stpaulsschool.org
