Rediscovering a childhood pastime - playing in the dirt

Olivia Williams (left) and Leslie Orellana (right)

GEC freshmen in Mrs. Josey Thompson’s earth science class rediscovered a fascination of a childhood pastime: playing in the dirt. As a culminating component of the class, students were challenged to make a difference in the environment. Many students chose projects that ecstatically improved the GEC/LCC campus. 

Overgrown flower beds were cleaned, refined, mulched and redesigned with perennials. 
Shakalia Dodd created small beds at the GEC’s entrance. In addition, Guillermo Espino created a beauty spot from a once neglected bed using decorative border bricks. Olivia Williams and Leslie Orellana designed a flower bed using painted rocks of GEC’s school colors. Other students chose to work in the community garden along side adult volunteers. During the course of discussion and planning, the importance of bees in the survival of plants in our world became a topic. 

Thus, Adaiah Best prepared an informational document that was distributed to all Greene County staff and faculty and plant retailers in the county. Three points were emphasized as to what human beings can do to help slow the declining bee population. First, avoid using pesticides when possible. Certain plants repel insects and are safe for bees. 

Plant onions, chives, garlic, leeks and shallots and natural oil plants such as rosemary, lavender, and lemongrass. Another proven method is spraying with diluted soap. Second, don’t weed the garden(some weeds are a wonderful nectar source for bees), and third, don’t swat them(once they realize you have no nectar, they will move along).

Guillermo Espino

Shakalia Dodd